If you are wondering how to get rid of blackheads, you may be surprised to find out that there is more than one way to solve this problem. Not only are there several good methods for tackling blackheads, there are also a few things you can start doing to help prevent blackheads in the future.
If you have ever examined your pores closely in the mirror, you may have noticed these small (nor not so small) blockages. They look like little brown or black dots and a little squeeze usually manages to push all or most of the gunk lurking inside up to the surface. Many people report a feeling of satisfaction arising from clearing all of this bad stuff out of their pores. But it can be very time-consuming and it’s also risky because bacteria could enter the pore and this could lead to further problems. Thankfully there are better ways you can handle a blackhead problem. General acne tips don’t necessarily apply because blackheads require a slightly different strategy than acne pimples.
A blackhead is basically a clogged pore. When your pore fails to properly drain the sebum that it naturally produces, it builds up inside of the pore. When the top part of this sebum is exposed to air and dust, it turns black and becomes known as a blackhead. Getting rid of blackheads is very important because if they are allowed to continue building on the skin, bacteria will eventually enter them and lead to pimples. It is so much easier to deal with a blackhead than it is to deal with a pimple and its aftermath so it’s important to establish a good routine for dealing with this pesky part of life.
You should be very careful about what you put on your skin if you are trying to avoid blackheads. Oil-based products are a big no-no. Read labels carefully and look for products that are specifically labeled as “non-comedogenic”, which means they will not clog pores. Even if it says “dermatologist tested”, that is not a guarantee it won’t clog pores so be sure it says non-comedogenic. Oil is the main culprit when it comes to blackheads so if you have a big problem with these, you need to avoid using any type of oil on your face. This means not only lotions and moisturizers but also makeup and sunblock. You can still use all of these items as long as you opt for water-based formulas. Mineral makeup is a great substitute for oil-based liquid foundation and much less likely to clog pores.
On the other hand, you don’t want to take this advice about avoiding oil too far. That means you should not strip all the oil from your skin just because you read this article on how to get rid of blackheads and it said oil is bad. A small amount of natural oil is actually good. Your skin needs to be balanced. If you use harsh cleansers full of chemicals that strip all the natural oil from your face, your skin will react by producing even more oil to make up for the oil you have just tried so hard to remove. Let your skin do its natural thing but don’t make it worse by adding more oil in the form of products. That’s the main thing to keep in mind when it comes to blackheads. Some oil is good and even necessary, but too much is a recipe for disaster.
If you want to know how to get rid of blackheads naturally, there are a few things you can do that don’t involve using chemicals. You may have noticed that it is easier to remove blackheads when you have just stepped out of the shower. That’s because the steam can help soften your pores and the dead skin and dirt that naturally starts to collect inside of them. With enough steam, the blackheads should actually slide right out, which means you don’t have to risk tearing the skin with your nails and causing an infection. You can steam your face for about fifteen minutes, taking extreme care not to burn it, to help melt the sebum and then scrub gently with a washcloth to whisk it all away. This can be very effective for a lot of people but it does need to be repeated a few times per week.
If you have very stubborn blackheads, you might need to try a more serious approach when it comes to blackhead removal. A blackhead extractor is a special metal tool that applies pressure around the entire circumference of the blackhead. This helps push all the grime up to the surface without having to use your nails or other tools. It is considered a gentle way to extract a blackhead. This is particularly effective if done after a hot shower or after steaming the face.
Pore strips are another popular method for blackhead extraction and are a great choice if you want to know how to get rid of blackheads fast. These are basically small pieces of paper that have a special glue on one side. They are applied to the skin for about ten minutes at which point the glue adheres to the blackheads. Upon removal, the blackheads are then pulled out of the pores as the strip is peeled off. It’s not too different in theory from waxing to remove hair and it hurts much less than taking off a bandage. You can be assured that it is working because you can actually see all the blackheads stuck into the paper after you remove it. Again, this is something that needs to be repeated often because blackheads will continue to form so this should be used in conjunction with taking steps to prevent blackheads from forming.
Salicylic acid acts as a chemical exfoliant, which can be more effective than manual extraction if you’re not adverse to using chemicals. This acid is also known as BHA or beta hydroxy acid and is found in many over-the-counter acne treatments. It provokes the skin to shed dead skin cells more readily, which helps reduce clogging and helps bring sebum to the surface of the skin for easier removal. It also helps prevent blackheads and pimples in the future by neutralizing bacteria. You can also use a face wash containing salicylic acid as a means of preventing blackheads.
As you can see, there are plenty of great ways to rid your skin of blackheads. By avoiding common causes of blackheads and carefully removing the ones you get, you should be able to keep the problem under control.
