Types
Not all comedones are the same, so I’ll briefly remind you what each type is and how it forms so can tell them apart.
Closed Comedones
Closed comedones develop when the outer layer of skin doesn’t shed properly, causing the hair follicle opening to close, trapping sebum. It can lead to the formation of little, hard lumps that match the skin tone or appear slightly whitish. Unfortunately, they can become inflamed if bacteria get involved. When numerous closed comedones occur, they can create a so-called “porridge,” often seen on the forehead or cheeks.
Open Blackheads
These are so-called blackheads and are formed when impurities accumulated in the opening of the hair follicle begin to oxidize, creating a black plug. When trying to squeeze out such a comedone, you can see its beginning and end, the contents are compact, darker at the top, lighter, and yellowish at the bottom. Open comedones most often occur on the nose.
Formation
Before we delve into how to get rid of blackheads, it’s significant to understand the causes behind the appearance of these pesky pimples. The formation of blackheads is influenced by two main factors: increased sebum production by the sebaceous glands and disruptions in shedding dead skin cells. When sebum and dead skin cells accumulate on the face, they can clog the openings of the skin’s follicles, leading to the development of blackheads. These clogged follicles can harbor a mix of sebum and dead skin cells, both below and on the skin’s surface.
Although blackheads are usually painless and not accompanied by redness or swelling, they can become infected with bacteria, potentially transforming into inflamed pimples and other skin issues. Due to this risk, it’s important not to squeeze blackheads, as it can lead to the spread of bacteria from our hands and faces.
Hormonal changes also play a direct role in blackhead formation, which is why they are commonly associated with teenagers. Androgens, a type of hormone, are primarily responsible for this, and their levels are high during puberty. Additionally, hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, menstruation, and when taking contraceptives can create conditions that are conducive to the development of various types of pimples.
Why Do Blackheads Appear?
The following factors may have an impact:
- Incorrect diet – dairy products, highly processed products, high glycemic index of meals
- Genetic predisposition
- Dry skin
- Comedogenic ingredients in care
- Lack of proper skin cleansing
- The composition of our sebum, which in turn affects its viscosity
- Hormonal fluctuations
How To Remove Blackheads?
Start by thoroughly cleansing the skin – at home and in the salon. You should also pay attention to the cosmetics you use – avoiding heavy and oily consistencies, which can additionally clog the sebaceous glands.
Home Care
Home care may include:
- Thorough cleansing – thorough washing of the skin twice a day, in the morning and the evening, allows you to get rid of impurities and makeup and sebaceous-horn plugs that accumulate in the sebaceous glands, creating blackheads. Avoid aggressive washing agents (e.g., alcohol-based), because they dry the skin and the effect may be the opposite of the intended one – in this way, you will intensify seborrhea and skin problems. Choose gentle cleansing products (e.g., gels, foams, liquids) with a deep cleansing formula and physiological pH. Using special skin cleansing brushes can be helpful – remember to take care of their hygiene and keep them clean after each use. Regular exfoliation – regulates and accelerates the exfoliation of dead skin cells, preventing the accumulation of horny mass in the sebaceous glands. In-home conditions, you can use enzymatic, mechanical, or chemical (acid-based) peelings and cleansing gels with a gentle peeling effect for daily use is also a good choice.
- Purifying masks—Masks based on activated carbon and natural clays are particularly effective here, as they unclog the sebaceous glands and remove the contents of blackheads. Use them regularly, at least once a week. They also have a detoxifying effect, cleansing the skin of impurities that contribute to the formation of blackheads.
- Light-formula cosmetics—For care and makeup, choose products with a light, preferably water-gel consistency that do not clog the skin. Avoid heavy foundations and thick, oily creams that can increase skin oiliness. Choose oil-free and non-comedogenic cosmetics. A good choice for black-headed skin will be preparations designed for combination and oily skin, which have antibacterial, mattifying, and moisturizing effects. For example, salicylic acid gently exfoliates the sebaceous-horny mass and has bacteriostatic and anti-inflammatory effects. That is why it prevents the intensification of acne lesions.
- Avoid squeezing blackheads – it can spread bacteria and increase the risk of skin damage.
Lifestyle Changes
Remember that even the most experienced dermatologists or cosmetologists can’t completely eliminate imperfections on our face, like whiteheads, blackheads, or more intense pimples, if we don’t consider our lifestyle. Changing factors directly affecting the skin’s condition is crucial to minimizing skin issues.
Diet
A key factor is improving our diet. If we haven’t focused on the quality of our food and often indulge in fast food, sodas, sweets, and processed ready-to-eat meals, it’s time to adopt healthier eating habits. Adding fresh fruits and vegetables, packed with vitamins and minerals, can benefit our skin. Opting for lean meat and fish and choosing nuts over chocolate for snacks is also significant. We are additionally, drinking at least 2 liters of water daily hydrates the skin and aids in toxin elimination. It’s essential to limit alcohol intake and quit smoking.
Stress Management
Although challenging, managing stress is crucial for reducing skin issues. For instance, if work imposes time pressure and many responsibilities, finding time to relax after returning home, such as spending time with loved ones or watching a favorite movie, can help the body calm down. Sufficient sleep is also crucial; adults need about 7 hours daily. A regular sleep pattern surprisingly impacts skin appearance significantly.
Tailoring facial care is vital for achieving beautiful skin, especially for those aiming to get rid of blackheads. The skincare products we use and how we use them can quickly impact the improvement and deterioration of our skin’s condition.
Skin Care
Before we move on to care, it is worth noting that makeup products should also be examined. Heavy, oily foundations or drying powders can disrupt the sebum production process and lead to clogged pores, which will result in the formation of more blackheads and even inflammation. It is, therefore, a good idea to choose light cosmetics that will both even out the skin tone and not overload it.
While skillful makeup can mask certain imperfections, the most important thing is to address the very cause of the problem through skin care.
Cleansing
This is an issue that should not be ignored. As already mentioned, the formation of comedones is caused by the accumulation of sebum, dead skin cells, and other impurities that block hair follicles. Facial cleansing will, therefore, play the most important role in reducing them, as it is thanks to it that we will get rid of all bacteria and other undesirable substances.
This is why you should wash your face thoroughly every morning and evening (in the latter case after previously removing make-up). When choosing the right cleansing cosmetic that is supposed to help us get rid of comedones, it is worth paying attention to the composition of the product and the active substances contained in it. Cosmetics based on too-strong detergents can have a drying and irritating effect, which can cause even more blackheads to appear. In such a situation, it is worth reaching for an effective but at the same time gentle cosmetic.
Toner
After washing, the natural pH of our skin can be disturbed, so it is worth using a toner later, which will help to even it out and gently narrow the pores. Moisten a cotton pad and gently wipe the skin with it. In addition to significantly reducing the visibility of pores, it also has soothing and antioxidant properties, thanks to which, among other things, it will affect the regulation of the amount of sebum produced. It is, therefore, an ideal choice for people with oily and acne-prone skin, where blackheads occur.
Cream
After completing the cleansing stage, it is necessary to apply a face cream, regardless of whether we are talking about the morning or evening care routine. The ingredients of such a cosmetic should support the skin in the regeneration process, which will significantly reduce imperfections.
If we are struggling with oily skin, we should not under any circumstances give in to the impression that moisturizing is unnecessary—the lack of proper hydration activates the sebaceous glands and stimulates them to work harder. Therefore, if we forcefully dry out the skin, it will try to defend itself by producing excessive amounts of sebum. A moisturizing cream for blackheads and closed blackheads will prevent such a result.
Face Scrub
Given that improper exfoliation causes blackheads, regular exfoliation is necessary to support the process and thoroughly cleanse the skin. It’s important to use gentle exfoliants to avoid skin irritation and dryness.
Professional treatments
Manual cleansing is a basic treatment for comedonal skin, recommended in beauty and dermatological salons. However, the treatment must comply with all the rules of hygiene and caution, and the skin should be properly prepared for it (softened – usually with steam and a mask or microdermabrasion). Depending on the severity of the problem, this procedure should be performed no more often than once every 4 weeks, usually once every 2-3 months (more often in the summer because then the skin becomes polluted faster and blackheads are more visible).
Microdermabrasion is the procedure that involves mechanical exfoliation of the layer of dead skin cells using a diamond head or corundum crystals. So-called hydrabrasion (water microdermabrasion) or oxybrasion (oxygen with physiological salt) are also used. The procedures effectively cleanse the skin and remove blackheads, which is worth doing regularly. You can also find devices for home microdermabrasion on the market. After microdermabrasion, applying a soothing mask to the skin is recommended.
Cavitation peeling is a gentle exfoliation procedure for dead skin cells that uses ultrasound to break them down and remove them. It can be performed once every 2-3 weeks. Specialized devices for home cavitation are also available.
Chemical peels are recommended for blackhead cleansing treatments. Due to its low molecular weight, it can penetrate deeply into hair follicles, breaking down the intercellular substances and removing the residual horny mass responsible for blackhead formation. Regularly performing this treatment prevents comedonal acne development.
Sources
- Overview: Acne. NIH.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279211/ - Presentations of Cutaneous Disease in Various Skin Pigmentations: Acne Vulgaris – Comedonal Acne. NIH.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10939092/ - Comedone formation: etiology, clinical presentation, and treatment. NIH.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15556720/ - Causes. NHS.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acne/causes/ - Acne. NHS.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acne/ - Impact of Lifestyle and Dietary Habits on the Prevalence of Acne Vulgaris: A Cross-Sectional Study From Saudi Arabia. NIH.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11056197/ - Acne: Learn More – Skin care for acne-prone skin. NIH.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279208/ - Dermatology: how to manage acne vulgaris. NIH.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8510514/ - Microdermabrasion. NIH.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535383/ - The assessment of the effects of the combination of microdermabrasion and cavitation peeling in the therapy of seborrhoeic skin with visible symptoms of acne punctata. NIH.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30300026/ - Chemical peels for acne vulgaris: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. NIH.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5931279/
