Blackheads (blackheads): causes and remedies

Definition

What are blackheads?

Blackheads are small bumps that form on the skin as a result of clogged hair follicles. One of the most common types of blackheads is blackheads or blackheads blackheads .

Blackheads are the precursor to acne if they are left on the skin. The nose area is a favorite place for this type of mild acne to nest.

Apart from the face, this non-contagious skin disease can also appear in other areas of the body, namely:

• back,
• chest,
• neck, and
• arm.

As a type of acne that is considered mild, blackheads does not cause pain or redness in the skin.

How common is this condition?

Blackheads are a fairly common condition that can happen to anyone, especially in adolescents who are entering puberty. People who have oily skin with large pores often experience this skin problem.

Even so, owners of dry skin are also very likely to have blackheads on their skin. This skin problem can be overcome by reducing the risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs and symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of blackheads?

In general, blackheads are characterized by small, dark bumps that appear on the surface of the skin. Blackheads that appear usually cause the skin texture to lift, but tend to be flatter than pimples.

Therefore, the surface of the skin covered with blackheads tends to be rougher than the surrounding area. Unlike acne, blackheads do not trigger inflammation or cause pain.

When to see a doctor

Blackheads are not normally a serious skin disease and need to be checked by a doctor. Even though, blackheads considered to interfere with appearance.

As a result, many people are not confident, especially when they have many dark spots on the face. If this happens, visit your doctor for treatment recommendations. This also applies when blackheads develop into inflamed pimples.

Causes and risk factors

What causes blackheads?

The cause of blackheads is basically the same as the cause of acne, namely blockage of hair follicles (glandular pockets) in the skin due to a buildup of dead skin cells and excess oil.

You see, each follicle has one hair and sebaceous glands that produce oil. This oil (sebum) helps to keep the skin moisturised.

When excess oil is produced and combined with accumulated skin cells, they can clog pores. This blockage causes a bulge on the surface of the skin that is blackish in color due to exposure to the surrounding air.

What are the factors that increase the risk of developing this condition?

Here are some factors that can increase a person's risk of having blackheads.

• The body produces too much oil due to hormonal changes.
• Hair follicles become irritated as dead skin cells don't fall out.
• Changes in androgen hormones during puberty, menstruation, or taking birth control pills.
• Take certain medications, such as corticosteroids or lithium.
• Use of cosmetics that cover the pores of the skin.
• Excess sweat production.
• Do activities that open hair follicles.
• Suffer from health problems, such as stress, premenstrual syndrome, and PCOS.
• Exfoliate your face too often.
• Squeezing blackheads that cause hair follicles to burst.

Not having the various risk factors that have been mentioned does not mean you are free from this one skin problem. Always consult a doctor for accurate information according to your condition.

Diagnosis and treatment

How to get rid of blackheads?

Over-the-counter drugs

For those of you who have blackheads in small amounts, over-the-counter drugs may be a way to solve this problem. The following are some of the active compounds commonly found in drugs to treat blackheads.

• Benzoyl peroxide
• Salicylic acid
• Glycolic acid
• Azelaic acid

These mentioned ingredients are usually found in cleaning products, lotions, and toners that don't need to be rinsed off. Don't forget to read the rules of use and use it regularly.

This is because consistent care is very important. Also, avoid rubbing the blackhead area too tightly. The reason is, blackheads do not occur because you do not keep your skin clean, but there are other factors.

Prescription drugs

If over-the-counter medications don't work, you may be prescribed several types of medication to get rid of blackheads.

Medicines that contain vitamin A help prevent clogging of hair follicles. In addition, this drug also accelerates the turnover of skin cells so that they are not clogged in the pores of the face.

Here are some prescription drugs used to treat stubborn blackheads.

• Tretinoin
• Tazarotene
• Adapalene

If blackheads appear in large numbers and cause uneven skin surface, the doctor will also prescribe other drugs. Sometimes, these medications are combined with acne antibiotics that help kill the bacteria that cause them.

• Benzoyl peroxide
• Salicylic acid
• Topical retinoids
• Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA)

Manual lifting

Apart from medicinal use, blackheads can also be treated with the help of a special tool called round loop extractor . This procedure is usually performed by a trained professional to remove any blocked pores on the face that have turned black.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a minor surgical procedure used to renew the skin, namely:

• remove blackheads,
• improve blackish skin tone,
• reduce and shrink enlarged pores, as well
• treat acne and acne scars.

In this method the doctor uses a special tool with a rough surface to scrape the outer layer of the skin. This is so that the blockage that causes blackheads is lifted.

In addition to eroding the skin, microdermabrasion is also carried out by spraying fine particles of aluminum oxide or sodium bicarbonate with a vacuum.

This procedure generally takes up to about an hour. The side effects of microdermabrasion are mild swelling and redness that will go away within a few hours.

Chemical peels

Chemical peel is a method used to remove blockages and remove dead skin cells that cause blackheads. This procedure also helps even out and makes facial skin brighter.

With the help of a special chemical liquid that is applied to the surface of the face, the skin will peel off by itself. Then, the new, regenerated skin will appear and is much smoother. However, this skin may be more sensitive to sunlight for a while.

Laser and light therapy

Laser and light therapy are treatment procedures that use special light to reduce oil production or kill bacteria. This procedure is able to solve problems below the surface of the skin without damaging the outer layer.

Home remedies

What are the home remedies to get rid of blackheads?

Wash your face regularly

One of the things that can support the blackhead treatment process is washing your face regularly. Although blackheads are not caused by sticky dust, washing your face regularly helps remove the oil and dirt buildup on your face.

This reduces the risk of clogged pores due to dead skin cells and excess oil. Here are some tips for washing your face so that blackheads disappear quickly.

• Do not wash your face too often, a maximum of two times a day.
• Use a facial cleanser according to skin type.
• Choose a treatment product that contains antibacterial properties.

Don't squeeze blackheads

Most people feel squeezed blackheads , this problem will quickly disappear. Instead of healing, facial skin becomes irritated.

Therefore, try not to squeeze blackheads and the surrounding skin area. If you feel blackhead already very annoying, you should consult a dermatologist.

Using sea salt

Besides having to avoid the habit of squeezing blackheads, it turns out that there is a natural ingredient to treat blackheads, namely sea salt.

As an anti-bacterial substance, sea salt can also treat blackheads on the face, be it on the nose, chin and forehead. Mix sea salt with a few drops of lemon juice and a little water. Then, rub it on the areas such as the nose, forehead, or forehead affected by blackheads.

Prevention

How to prevent blackheads (

Basically, blackheads can't be prevented 100% because it can keep showing up. Below are some steps that can help you reduce your risk of developing blackheads.

• Choose oil-free and water-based care products.
• Eat foods with vitamin C.
• Exfoliate your skin with a sponge or scrub to prevent dead skin cell buildup.
• Use care products non-comedogenic (does not cause blackheads) and non-acnegenic (does not cause acne).
• Clean the skin with techniques double cleansing (oil cleanser + soap).

If you have any questions, consult your doctor to better understand the best solution for you.