Understanding Blackheads: What They Are and How They Form?

Everybody wants their skin to look clear. Irrespective of gender, everyone longs for clear skin and non-acne-prone skin. However, in this fast-running life, it is important to care for your skin. If you fail to care, the skin problem pops up. One of the annoying skin problems everyone encounters is blackheads. 

In this article, you will be able to learn what blackhead is and what causes it on your face, especially on your nose. The treatments that can help you reduce and remove blackheads from your skin.  

Blackheads and Causes 

Blackheads are nothing but clogged hair follicles with dirt and oil impurities on the skin, specifically on the nose and chin region. They appear as a sharp bump on the surface of the skin and eventually, it turns black and dark harming your skin and leading to severe skin conditions.

Causes that lead to blackheads

• Sebaceous glands produce excessive amounts of oil, this oil combines with bacteria and dead skin cells and leads to blackheads.
• Hormonal changes caused during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, can increase oil production leading to blackheads.
• Inadequate water intake, improper skin care, failure to cleanse clean daily, and many more external factors give rise to blackheads.
• Comedogenic skin products clog pores and failing to remove the cosmetics from the skin causes blackheads to appear.

Main differences between blackheads and whiteheads

Both blackheads and whiteheads are forms of acne. They can be identified differently by their appearance and clogging status and color. 

The main difference between blackheads and whiteheads is, when the hair follicle is clogged with impurities and dead skin, the clogged pore remains open causing blackheads and accumulating other impurities exposed to air. 

Whereas in whiteheads, the clogged pore remains closed therefore, it traps the debris beneath the skin not allowing it to turn to black. 

When it comes to appearance, blackheads are black in color, small, and dark. The more it is left unattended, it gets wider and accumulates debris, oil, and dead skin cells to oxidize and turn black.

Whiteheads are small, flesh-colored, or white bumps on the skin surfaces. However, it does not turn black as the thin layer of skin prevents debris from oxidizing and hence maintains the white color. 

How is blackhead different from other types of Acne on the face?

Blackheads and whiteheads are the types of acne blemishes. The differences are in how they are developed and treated. Usually, acne is inflamed blemishes that become red and swollen. Whereas blackheads are non-inflamed blemishes that do not turn red or swollen, instead it appears dark and black. 

Acne appears on any part of the skin surfaces and deeper within the pore. However, the blackheads usually appear on the nose and T-zone and not deeper within the pore. 

Why Do Blackheads Mostly Appear on the Nose and T-Zone? 

Each pore on our face has a hair follicle and sebaceous gland, that helps produce sebum to naturally moisturize the skin. However, if the oil secretion increases it leads to breakouts and leads to blackheads. 

Blackheads commonly appear on the nose and T-zone as there is more secretion of oil near those glands. That is one of the most common factors why blackheads pop up near the nose or chin area. 

The tendency to keep touching our face, especially the T-zone causes more impurities to secrete in these regions causing blackheads on your chin, nose, and forehead regions. 

Treatments for Blackheads

People with oily skin are likely to have more blackheads but, anyone can get them based on their daily hygiene routine. Here are a few remedies that can help you treat blackheads prematurely. 

1. Make sure to use salicylic acid to clean your face. 
2. Exfoliate your skin gently with AHAs and BHAs. This helps you remove dead skin that clogs the pore. 
3. Try face wash or creams that have retinoids. This works on stubborn acne that clogs pores and leads to blackheads.
4. You can use a clay mask on your face to reduce the appearance of blackheads. 
5. Use a charcoal mask. The charcoal mask has been one of the best masks to work deep in the skin and draw oil and other impurities that cause blackheads.

However, these home remedies help you reduce blackheads at their initial stages, if the blackheads are rooted deep, all you need to do is seek professional help. A dermatologist has various methods to treat your skin without causing any side effects.  Dr. Health Clinic is one the best in industries to treat your skin conditions. 

Professional’s way to get rid of blackheads

1. Chemical peeling can be effective on blackheads when done right under dermatologist guidance. 
2. Microdermabrasion is the process where the top layer of your skin will be peeled to get rid of clogs causing blackheads.
3. Comedone extraction is the process that includes steaming the face and removing blackheads.

Conclusion

Blackheads are the most common type of acne seen in most youths. It can be treated in its earlier stage to prevent further skin damage. With the above-mentioned methods, you can clear clogged pores and remove dirt from the skin that causes blackheads. However, it is always suggested to consult a dermatologist before the condition gets severe and acquire proper treatment before it’s late.