Blackheads – Causes and Treatments

There is so much to learn and know about acne when you’re a parent trying to help a struggling teen or young adult. Acne comes in a variety of forms and severities, and it’s a little bit different in each individual—this makes the common skin disorder even more frustrating for anyone dealing with it directly or indirectly. Unfortunately, most information passed off as “fact” about acne is myth, and rooted in speculation and assumption.

At its essence, acne is quite simple to understand, whether it is in the form of whitehead, blackhead or more severe cystic acne. The variety that confuses most, however, are the blackheads. They don’t look like acne, rather something else altogether—so what are they exactly?

What Causes Blackheads?

One thing that will aid in understanding blackheads is a better overall understanding of acne. Many parents were taught what they know about acne when they suffered from it themselves– acne develops from hormones, diet or poor hygiene. While there are many variables that can affect the contributing factors for acne, most theories and suggestions are actually way off base. Acne forms due to three key components—biological components which everyone has: Skin cells, bacteria on the surface of the skin and sebum (skin oil) that is secreted from the sebaceous gland within a hair follicle.

When these components combine within a follicle, they will clog it and a pimple will develop. When the infection occurs deep in the skin’s inner tissue (dermis), cystic acne will develop, but most commonly a whitehead or blackhead will form.

What Makes a Blackhead and a Whitehead Different?

Yes, whiteheads and blackheads are formed in the same way. The difference lies with the opening at the skin’s pore. If it is open, it will form a blackhead, or open comedome. If the opening is closed, except for a tiny microscopic opening at the surface, a whitehead, or closed comedome will develop.

This debunks the myth, theory or widely accepted fact that blackheads are nothing more than dirty pores. They are in fact, acne, and need to be treated as acne and prevented as such. The color of the material inside a blackhead is actually sebum and the skin’s melanin that has oxidized due to its contact with air.

Treatments for Blackheads

There are a couple effective treatments for blackheads, depending on the severity of the acne. If blackheads are developing regularly, a quality skin care regimen will help to treat them, as well as help to prevent the development of future blackheads. The benefits of a good acne care regimen means that it will prevent all forms of acne.

A daily cleansing with an exfoliant, and a mild cleanser containing benzoyl peroxide will help to rid the skin of dead skin cells that cling to the surface of the skin. Adding to such a regimen a simple toner or astringent will help to constrict the pores and their openings, aiding in the prevention of blackheads. Following the cleansing and toner with a benzoyl peroxide acne cream will help prevent blackheads from forming, as the peroxide is able to cleanse the pores, while creating an oxidized environment on the skin’s surface, killing bacteria.

Another treatment that some people choose for blackheads is through an acne facial. This process is performed by a skin care professional, generally a licensed esthetician or a dermatologist and includes an open comedome extraction. This is done with specialized equipment, and is the only safe and sterile way to extract comedomes of any type.