HOW TO REMOVE BLACKHEAD AND WHITEHEAD
Managing blackheads
Do blackheads bother you? No matter how much you cleanse, they just never seem to go away! But do you know why they occur, and how best to treat them? Are you aware of their annoying cousins, the whiteheads? This article will attempt to help you, dear reader, to better manage or perhaps even get rid of these things completely.
What causes whiteheads and blackheads
Your skin produces sebum, which is basically oil. It prevents your skin from drying out and makes it stay soft and supple. However, if sebum is produced in excess, it can lead to pores being clogged with sebum and dead skin. Severe cases can even involve inflammation, leading to potential scarring.
In Singapore, our weather is very humid, which makes our skin even more oily than usual. It is thus important that our skincare routine takes this into account.
What are the differences between whiteheads and blackheads?
Blackheads are technically known as open comedones. This is because they are situated open to the air. Exposure to air causes the trapped sebum to oxidize, resulting in the black colour.
On the other hand, whiteheads are closed comedones. They are situated inside the pore, where they have no contact with the air. They are skin-color and commonly mistaken for pimples.
Together they are known as Comedones, and they are a type of acne. It is common to get both together. If left untreated, both can progress and become pimples.
What leads to blackheads and whiteheads?
There are many reasons that can lead to blackheads, but the overall concept is the same. If the oil produced within your pores are trapped or cannot escape fast enough, this can lead to build-up, which is basically black/whiteheads.
- Increased sebum production: During times like puberty and hormonal changes, your skin can produce more oil than usual. Sometimes this is the result of your period or stress. If enough oil builds up inside your pores, this can cause blackheads to form.
- Improper exfoliation: When there is insufficient or improper exfoliation, dead skin covers the pores, which prevents sebum from leaving. This results in clogged pores.
- Irritation of pores: If you like to squeeze your pimples or blackheads, don’t! This can cause the pores to become bigger permanently. The larger pores lead to easier formation of blackheads. It may even lead to infections and scarring. If harsh chemicals are used, they can irritate the skin, which causes the skin to produce even more oil, resulting in a vicious cycle. On the other hand, greasy products can directly block the pores, resulting in sebum build-up.
- Diet: High consumption of dairy products, foods that are high in sugar and fats are linked to blackheads.
How to remove blackhead and whitehead?
To manage blackheads and whiteheads, it is essential to follow a daily skincare routine that consists of exfoliation and simple cleansing.
Exfoliate
A major cause of blackheads is dead skin. Exfoliating regularly will remove this dead skin, allowing your skin to breathe. However, take care not to overdo it, as stripping your skin of essential oils can result in irritation and increased oil production, leading to even more breakouts.
Use a simple cleanser and avoid heavy makeup
Some cleansers may leave residue, which ends up blocking the pores. Using makeup for a long time can do the same thing. It is best to use a light, water-based cleanser. For other skin products, find those that are “noncomedogenic”, as these are the ones that are less likely to block your pores.
Most of the time, a simple skincare routine is enough to manage mild acne and blackheads. However, people should consider chemical peels if they have very oily skin or pores that are prone to blackheads.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are very effective against blackheads and other acne because they exfoliate deeply and thoroughly. Many users report that their skin feels clearer, smoother, and there is a positive effect on most acne.
There are 3 common types of chemical peels for treating acne: Glycolic, lactic and Mandelic acid. These organic acids go deep into the skin and encourage exfoliation of the top layers. This removes dead, damaged skin and tells the skin to regenerate. The overall effect is fresh, clear skin and unclogged pores.
The acid is left on your face for a few minutes (about 5). This allows the acid to fully travel into the skin to perform its functions. During this time, dead and damaged skin cells will be detached, and the stuff clogging your pores will dissolve.
- Glycolic acid is one of the most common peels available. It is helpful for treating wrinkles and acne. Recovery time after a glycolic acid peel is fast, and there are normally no side effects.
- Lactic acid also has a quick recovery time. It is a very gentle chemical peel, derived from sour milk. Thus, it is preferred by those with sensitive skin. Essentially, you get most of the effects the stronger peels have, just less intense.
- Mandelic acid is less popular, but it can be more effective than other acids. It penetrates deeper than the other acids, allowing for a more complete exfoliation. It also has antibacterial qualities that kill the bacteria hiding in your pores. Treatment also tends to be longer (about 30 minutes) because it takes a long time to penetrate the skin.
Most people do not get side effects from chemical peels, especially the gentle ones above. However, if you have sensitive skin, you might want to ask for a lower concentration. The usual concentration can be too harsh for your skin. This will allow you to enjoy the same benefits that chemical peels have to offer.
Most other treatment methods like pore strips will only remove surface dirt and oils. It makes you feel good that you removed something, but it is superficial and only affects a small section of your face. Furthermore, the removal of the pore strip can cause trauma to the skin directly. Thus, it is best to treat stubborn blackheads with a combination of a basic skincare routine and if that is not enough, chemical peels, which go deeper and cleanses the skin completely.