| What are blackheads? | | | | The following are some tips for removing |
| Blackheads are small "plugs" that develop in the | | | | blackheads: |
| pores of the skin. They are caused when the | | | | - Keep the skin as clean and oil free as possible. |
| over active sebaceous (oil producing) glands in the | | | | Use natural or chemically prepared cleansers, |
| skin become clogged with oil. This sebum then | | | | astringent solutions or masks to accomplish this. |
| begins to harden in the pore. Since skin pores are | | | | Avoid harsh soaps that may irritate the skin or |
| open to the air, the top part of the hardened | | | | any creams that leave an oily finish. |
| sebum or oil oxidizes, turning black. This black top | | | | - Use a gentle exfoliant to keep the dead cells off |
| of the oil plug is then forced closer to the surface | | | | your skin and away from the pore openings. |
| of skin by the oil hardening beneath it. This then | | | | - Avoid harsh squeezing or scraping at the |
| causes the blackhead to be visible. | | | | blackhead. Excessive squeezing can damage the |
| It is not clearly understood why the sebaceous | | | | skin surround the pore and can actually increase |
| glands begin to become overactive. It is often | | | | the size of the pore leading to more blackheads in |
| noted that this situation begins at puberty, and | | | | the future. |
| may stop at the end of puberty leading to the | | | | - A warm compress of water applied to the area |
| conclusion that it is hormonally controlled. For | | | | of the blackhead followed by a very, very gentle |
| some people this is not the case however, and | | | | pressure can help in clearing the clog from the |
| they may continue to experience blackheads and | | | | pore. |
| whiteheads well past puberty and into adulthood. | | | | - Commercial "blackhead strips" which are basically |
| Whiteheads are formed the same way as | | | | a tape like substance that is placed over the nose |
| blackheads with the exception that the pore is | | | | and then pulled off will remove some blackheads |
| closed and the oxidation does not occur. | | | | that are at the surface. Caution should be used |
| Acne results from infection of the oil gland due to | | | | with these products and it is important to read |
| the blockage by the blackhead. Preventing and | | | | the directions completely before deciding to use |
| removing blackheads helps to control acne. | | | | the strips or not. |
| Blackhead Removal | | | | |