Everything You Need to Know About Blackheads
Where they come from, and how to get rid of them for good!
It seems like no matter how thorough your skin care regimen may be, there’s always those days where you look at your face in the mirror and notice those tiny little black dots peppered across your nose and cheeks. Oh no, it’s BLACKHEADS again!
What exactly are these troublesome little things and why do they keep coming back over and over again, no matter how many times you wash your face?
In this article, we’re going to give you all the details that you will need to break away from blackheads and keep your skin clear, healthy, and radiant. You’ll learn all about how those pesky little blackheads form, what you can do to get rid of them, and how to prevent them from recurring. We’ll also provide some info on helpful skin care products that can make managing blackheads easier than ever!
Now, let’s start by getting down to the root of the problem and talk about exactly what a blackhead is, and how they end up forming on your skin.
What is a blackhead?
If you have ever looked very closely in a mirror at the skin on your face, you’ve probably noticed the tiny indentations that your pores make along the surface of your nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. You may also have noticed that some of these indentations could have what appears to be a black or dark brown spot in the middle of them.
This black or brown spot in your pore is essentially just a type of clog, and is usually made of dead skin cells, excess oil, and the bacteria that grows as a result of their collecting in the pore. This black or brown spot inside of a pore on the skin is what is known as a blackhead, and is one of the common signs and symptoms associated with acne. However, it should be noted that blackheads can also form on the skin of people who do not have acne.
How do blackheads form?
Blackheads are very similar to whiteheads, which are also a gathering of bacteria in a clogged pore, however blackheads get their darker color because the outer area of the clogs are exposed to the air at the surface of the skin. This exposure to air causes a form of oxidation to occur, which turns the white clog to a brown or black color.
Blackheads generally form because of excessive production of sebum (skin oil), which builds up in the pore and prevents dead skin cells from easily being washed away. This excessive oil production can be the result of many factors, including hormonal changes like the ones that occur during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. People in these groups are the most likely to experience skin problems like blackheads because of this.
Another common cause of blackheads is the increased oil production and skin irritation that comes from the condition known as acne. In addition to blackheads, acne symptoms also appear in the form of whiteheads, pimples, and other types of visible skin irregularities like redness or puffiness.
How can I get rid of blackheads?
In order to get rid of blackheads, you will first need to get the clogs out of your pores and clean your skin using a method and products that will help to minimize excess oil production and help to keep your skin healthy and balanced.
Mild cases of blackheads can often be cleared up using widely available skin care products that are designed to help dissolve and breakup these types of clogs. They achieve this through the use of certain ingredients such as salicylic acid, which is one of the most common ingredients in skin care products marketed for the treatment of acne breakouts.
To aid in the removal of the clogs from your pores and provide a deeper, more thorough cleaning of your skin, we recommend the use of a facial scrubbing brush. These specialized brushes will have soft, circular-oriented bristles, and are used in combination with a gentle skin cleanser. Often these cleansers will contain some level of salicylic acid as described earlier. Using a circular, repetitive motion, these brushes will scrub the skin after the cleanser has been applied, thereby breaking up the clogs and helping to remove the bacteria that has built up in your pores.
The best facial cleansing brushes, like the Silk’n Pure, feature a powered scrubbing action that does the work for you! Simply switch the facial cleansing brush on, and the 360° Vibration Technology provide a gentle, but deep and thorough cleaning experience that will leave your skin feeling rejuvenated. The Silk’n Pure also features two different speed settings, waterproof design, a choice between vibration or pulsating action, and a built-in cleanser dispenser so you get just the right amount distributed to your skin automatically.
How can I prevent blackheads from coming back?
Naturally, the best way to keep blackheads from coming back is to ensure that your pores stay clean and clear. This means developing a regular skin care routine that includes a deep-cleaning of your pores to remove excess oil & bacteria, and exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and keep your skin looking fresh, healthy, and radiant.
For help exfoliating, we recommend you look at an at-home microdermabrasion wand such as the Silk’n ReVit Prestige. This easy-to-use microdermabrasion wand provides invigorating exfoliation and helps to smooth out all types of imperfections on your skin, while simultaneously stimulating the skin’s natural repair processes. The Silk’n ReVit Prestige takes all the guesswork out of your exfoliation treatment by integrating an automatic mode that will guide you through each step for optimum results.
For more information on microdermabrasion, including how it works and the benefits it can provide, we suggest you take a look at the microderm section of our resource center, as well as another blog article that explores the topic of microdermabrasion in greater depth,
If you’re hoping to take care of your blackheads along with other acne-related blemishes, then look to the Silk’n Blue Acne Eliminator Device. The power of fractional blue light combined with deep thermal heating allows the Silk’n Blue to precisely target the acne-causing bacteria that lives down in your pores and simultaneously works to reduce the oil produced by your skin. The dual-action effects of the Silk’n Blue help to prevent future breakouts and reduce all the typical signs of acne including blackheads, whiteheads, redness, and irritation.
It should be noted, that for those who experience chronic acne problems, more severe breakouts, or other acne-related symptoms that recur often and with increased intensity, it is recommended that you seek out professional medical advice from your doctor. Some cases of persistent or more severe acne require medication or other specialized treatment methods, so it’s always best to seek out the proper medical care for these types of acne related cases.
For more information on acne, and how to help reduce the frequency and severity of breakouts, we’ve put together some helpful articles with Tips and Tricks for Treating Pimples as well as advice on Treating Acne on Sensitive Skin that you may find quite valuable.
Say ‘goodbye’ to blackheads and get clear, radiant skin with Silk’n!
If you’re tired of seeing little black dots on your face, and want to get a clearer complexion, smoother skin, and a more radiant, youthful appearance, Silk’n is the answer that you’ve been waiting for!
Our collection of acne eliminators, microdermabrasion wands, and facial cleansing brushes will help you fight blackheads, whiteheads, and many other types of skin blemishes to get you the vibrant, radiant look you deserve.
