How to Get Rid of Blackheads Properly

Pesky blackheads—they pose as “dirty pores,” but in fact, they are just another variation of acne that is formed just like the others. As parents helping teens or young adults deal with acne, it’s important to offer education about blackheads. Many suffering from acne are under the impression that a blackhead is the result of poor hygiene, or dirt that is left on the skin. Because blackheads are a form of acne, it’s important to know how to get rid of blackheads, so the skin isn’t damaged by squeezing or over-washing.

How to Get Rid of Blackheads

There are several ways to get rid of blackheads, and it’s even possible to extract them when assisted by a professional. When fighting blackheads, the goal shouldn’t only be how to get rid of blackheads, rather developing a skin care regimen that will prevent blackheads from occurring repeatedly.

In order to understand how to get rid of blackheads, it’s important to understand the anatomy of a blackhead, how it forms, how it’s different from a whitehead and the available acne treatments that are effective in ridding the face of the unwanted intruders.

How a Blackhead Forms

As mentioned, a blackhead forms just as other forms of acne do. Dead skin cells from the surface of the skin combine with bacteria, shed and end up in a pore where they combine with sebum from the sebaceous gland. A blackhead (open comedome) occurs when the opening/pore at the skin’s surface is open, allowing air to combine in the mixture of sebum, dead skin cells and infectious bacteria. This is one of the reasons the material takes on a darker color, and harder consistency. Another reason is due to the skin’s melanin.

Acne Facial – How to Get Rid of Blackheads

One way to help in the fight against blackheads is an acne facial, however, this method can equate to quite an expense. Offered by a dermatologist or licensed esthetician, an acne facial generally consists of several steps to offer an optimal environment to the skin, as well as what is consider an extraction. Using an open comedome extractor, the physician or technician will remove the material from many of the blackheads on the complexion.

Skin Care Regimen – How to Get Rid of Blackheads

An acne facial can be quite effective for removing blackheads, but it won’t keep them from returning. In order to get rid of blackheads, it is necessary to attack the acne problem at the root—to rid the face of the cause. Not only will this help prevent the development of new blackheads while fighting old ones, it will also help to prevent whiteheads and the potential of severe cystic acne.

Understanding how acne forms, it is easier to understand how to treat it. For example, a daily exfoliation, combined with a skin cleansing will help to rid the face of the excess skin cells that could become problems. Following an exfoliation with a skin toner or astringent will help to constrict pores. The more difficult it is for cells, bacteria and air to reach the inside of a pore, the less likely blackheads will develop.

Completing an acne skin care regimen with an acne cream possessing benzoyl peroxide will help to treat present blackheads, while preventing future blackheads and whiteheads. Benzoyl peroxide should be used liberally, all over acne-affected areas, and can be followed or combined with a moisturizer.