How to Get Rid of Blackheads - Blackhead Treatment

Medically known as open comedones, blackheads are yellowish to black spots that keep appearing on a person's face and/or back. Clusters of blackheads appear more frequently on nose, ears, and chin. Blackheads are a kind of moderate acne, formed by deposition of sebum (natural skin oil), dead skin cells, and bacteria together in the pores of the skin. They not only look ugly but may also be the precursors of severe acne. It is therefore important to get rid of blackheads by proper treatment and preventive measures.

Treatment Advice to Get Rid of Blackheads

To get rid of blackheads, using an effective skin cleanser is a helpful treatment. Salicylic acid cleansers have been found more effective in cleansing oily skin. Benzoyl Peroxide also bears good results in soaking skin oil and thus helps in peeling away blackheads. It is available in the form of medicated cream and gel. Using an astringent also reduces the oiliness of skin and helps in cleansing blackheads. Cleansing agents, particularly those containing Benzoyl Peroxide, may leave your skin dry. This condition can be treated by applying an oil-free moisturizer, a while after using the cleanser.

Getting rid of blackheads is facilitated by peeling the blackhead-affected (or prone) area about four times a week. Medicated exfoliators and scrubs usually serve this purpose well. To remove dead skin cells and thus expose the blackheads, Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) is a useful group of chemical agents. Contained in special creams, like glycol-creams, AHAs can be used about every three to four days for best results.

Many people with blackheads can't help keep themselves from picking blackheads. It is advisable only when the blackhead appears as ready to burst or pop out. Blackhead extractors available from chemists can be used to safely pop them out. Pore cleanser strips are a good means of removing blackheads safely. These cleansers can be used once a week for making skin pores cleaner and smaller. However, fingers may used for squeezing the blackheads out of the pores. It is important to soften the skin by steaming prior to popping out the blackheads so as to facilitate their removal. If a blackhead does not budge easily, it should better be left there. Squeezing with more pressure is not recommended because it can cause bruising and tearing of the skin, sometimes breaking tiny veins in there.

The most effective and healthy way of getting rid of blackheads is by checking the factors that further their growth. Hygiene also plays an important role in preventing the growth of blackheads. Following are some guidelines that can prove effective in keeping blackheads from invading your skin.

• Wash the face only twice daily and not many times. Don't use soap often to wash your face; when you do, use a gentle soap. Washing your face with a gentle soap before going to bed is recommended.
• Frequently replace your used pillowcases and towels with clean ones so as to prevent getting built-up oils from their surfaces onto your skin.
• Let steam fill your shower before you start taking the shower. This helps open up or widen the pores and makes removal of blackheads easy. Alternatively, you may choose to use a facial steamer which serves the same purpose.
• A direct connection between blackheads and food has not been verified scientifically. However, it is recommended to take plenty of pure water and put a check on excess intake of oils and fats.