At a simple glance, the blackheads look like encrustations of dirt, but in reality it is a type of blackhead. They form when the pores are blocked by a mass of sebum and dead cells. If the obstruction is exposed to air, it takes on a dark color, forming the characteristic black tip that distinguishes this type of blackhead. Fortunately, there are a number of effective ways to treat blackheads.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Treat Blackheads with Home Remedies
Step 1. Don't tease blackheads and don't try to squeeze them
This puts you more at risk of getting infected or leaving scars. Try using blackhead patches instead.
- The patch must be made to adhere to the skin. When it comes to detaching it, it should take away the blackheads, as the impurities will bind to the substances inside it.
- Patches are most effective for small blackheads, but not as recommended for larger or deeper blackheads.
- If you don't have any blackhead patches, you can try using a regular patch or a small piece of duct tape.
- Wash the area well after treatment to prevent possible infections.
Step 2. Use readily available acids to kill bacteria and open pores
This will prevent possible infections and promote skin healing.
- Try making a solution of 1 part lemon juice or apple cider vinegar and 3 parts water. Soak a cotton swab and tap it on the blackhead until it is completely coated. This mixture helps to dissolve the clogging caused by the buildup of dead skin cells and sebum, but remember that it could cause itching.
- These ingredients have an effect similar to that of alpha hydroxy acids, which are found in many medicines used to fight acne.
Step 3. Use a 5% diluted tea tree oil solution to eliminate bacteria that grow in clogged pores
Tea tree oil is a natural remedy characterized by antibacterial and antifungal properties.
- Make a solution of 1 part tea tree oil and 19 parts water. Dip a cotton swab into the mixture and tap it on the blackhead. Rinse after 15-20 minutes.
- Tea tree oil is not recommended for sensitive skin, as it can cause irritation.
Step 4. Use garlic to prevent bacterial growth in pores
Garlic has antiseptic properties and contains sulfur, a very effective substance for promoting skin healing.
Take a clove of fresh garlic and cut it in half, or mash it until you get a paste. Massage the juice directly on the blackhead and leave it on for about 5 minutes so that it can dissolve the dirt that has accumulated in the pore. Rinse your face well with warm water
Step 5. Use baking soda to unclog pores
This method allows you to extract excess sebum and any pus that may have formed. It is also an effective treatment to exfoliate the areas affected by impurities and to remove dead cells.
Make a baking soda and water based paste. Add enough water to make a very compact paste. Apply a drop on the blackhead and massage it in a gentle but deep way. Rinse it once it has dried and a white crust has formed
Step 6. Make a facial using raw egg whites
As they dry, the egg whites absorb excess sebum and free the pores. In addition, the proteins and vitamins of the whites nourish the skin.
- Apply raw egg whites directly to areas prone to blackhead formation. First beat them with a fork to make them dissolve and make them easier to draft. Rinse the skin thoroughly after drying.
- Be careful not to ingest them.
Step 7. Prepare an all-natural facial treatment using a cucumber
Rich in potassium and vitamins A, C and E, cucumbers are great for nourishing the skin.
- Blend a cucumber with the peel until you get a paste. Apply it to the skin as if it were a mask and let the epidermis absorb the nutrients from the cucumber for 15 minutes.
- Rinse with warm water.
Method 2 of 4: Fighting Blackheads with Over-the-Counter Medicines
Step 1. Use over-the-counter creams and lotions to dissolve blackheads, remove excess oil from the skin, and eliminate bacteria
The most effective products are those that contain the following active ingredients:
- Benzoyl peroxide;
- Salicylic acid;
- Resorcinol;
- Sulfur.
- Apply them following the instructions on the package. Consult a doctor before applying such a cream to the skin of a baby or pregnant.
Step 2. Make a homemade salicylic acid paste by crushing an aspirin
Salicylic acid is the active ingredient in aspirin and many over-the-counter acne medications.
- Crush a tablet into a fine powder and add a drop of water. Be careful not to use too much, otherwise the paste will drip and be difficult to apply. Tap a drop on the blackhead and leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing it off.
- Consult a doctor before applying the paste to a baby's skin and do not use it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Step 3. Try alternatives available in herbal medicine or parapharmacy
As more research is needed to determine the actual effectiveness and safety of these treatments, it is best to consult with your doctor before giving it a try:
- 50% aloe vera gel;
- Lotions with 2% green tea extract;
- 20% azelaic acid cream (this active ingredient is also found in various creams prescribed for acne and rosacea);
- Zinc lotions;
- Brewer's yeast (CBS 5926 strain) for oral administration;
- Creams containing 5% bovine cartilage.
Method 3 of 4: Change Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Keep your skin dry and clean
Eliminating excess sebum, sweat and dead skin cells helps to avoid clogging pores. To start, moisten your face with warm water to open pores and remove any blockages that have formed. Then, use cold water to shrink and close the pores. This will help prevent them from becoming clogged with clumps of dirt, oil and dead skin cells.
- Wash your face once in the morning and once in the evening, but do it gently to avoid irritating your face.
- Use only neutral, oil-free and water-based cleaners. Oily products can clog pores.
- Prevents hair oil from getting on the face. Shampoo every day to prevent fat build-up. If you have long hair, tie it back to prevent it falling on your face and transferring the greasy matter to your skin.
Step 2. Look for certified oil-free and non-comedogenic cosmetics
A blackhead is an obstruction, in this case due to a mass of sebum and dead cells that forms the central part of the blackhead. Non-comedogenic products have been duly tested so that they do not clog pores.
- Oily foundations tend to clog pores.
- Remove your make-up before going to bed. This will allow the pores to breathe and will prevent them from being blocked by makeup.
Step 3. Avoid skin irritation from workout clothes and sports equipment
Tight clothes, backpack straps, helmets and hats absorb sweat and oil from the skin, trapping them inside.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes for sports. This way you will avoid rubbing oily and sweat-soaked garments on the skin.
- Wash the sports equipment and clothing you use to train regularly.
- Take a shower as soon as you finish exercising to get rid of the sebum, sweat and dirt residue trapped in the pores.
Step 4. Keep blackheads under control by following a healthy diet
In some cases, dairy products, refined sugars, and carbohydrate-rich foods can make the situation worse.
- Contrary to popular belief, fatty foods have been shown not to cause pimples or blackheads.
- Not even dried fruit causes blackheads.
- The research carried out has not come to a clear conclusion regarding the responsibility that chocolate can have for the formation of pimples and other impurities. Try cutting it out of your diet if you think it hurts and see if your skin improves.
Step 5. Protect your skin from the sun
The damage caused by the sun can make it more prone to the appearance of impurities. Use a non-oily sunscreen so it doesn't clog your pores.
Step 6. Fight blackheads by keeping stress under control
Stress alone does not cause blackheads, but it does cause hormonal changes that can increase the predisposition to suffer from it. Keep it under control in the following ways:
- Walking or jogging several times a week
- By doing meditation to clear your mind of worries.
Method 4 of 4: See a Dermatologist
Step 1. Go to a dermatologist if these methods don't prove effective in fighting blackheads
The skin should see improvement after taking a 4-8 week treatment with prescription medications. Here are some medications that a specialist may suggest to you:
- Topical medicines such as retinoids (such as tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene) prevent clogging of the hair follicles. Antibiotics (such as dapsone) kill bacteria and lessen inflammation;
- Oral antibiotics. They are likely to be prescribed to you in case blackheads are prone to infection and inflammation;
- Combined oral contraceptives (ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate, norethisterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol, drospirenone) containing estrogen and progesterone can be prescribed for women with severe acne.
Step 2. Consider various therapies, which are often prescribed alongside targeted medications
Your dermatologist may suggest the following:
- Phototherapy allows you to eliminate the bacteria responsible for inflammation. It can be effective for those who resist drugs. Some types of lasers and a treatment called photodynamic therapy can fight blackheads by reducing sebum production and bacterial growth;
- Chemical peels and microdermabrasion allow you to exfoliate the skin and remove dead cells;
- Injecting steroids into the areas affected by red and inflamed blackheads helps to make them less noticeable, without having to extract the mass of dirt and sebum that caused the obstruction;
- Extract the sebum and other dirt residues that clog the pores. Since this procedure can leave scars (although it is rare if performed by a professional), it should only be considered if other methods prove ineffective.
Step 3. Consider isotretinoin if nothing else works
This active ingredient is effective, but many people find the side effects it causes unsustainable. Isotretinoin is only prescribed for severe or cystic acne.
- People who have suffered or are suffering from depression or digestive problems should not take this medicine.
- As it can cause severe congenital diseases, pregnant women cannot take this drug.
Warnings
- Always consult a doctor before giving any medicine (even over the counter) to a child or pregnant woman.
- Read carefully the warnings and instructions on the package insert.
- Before you start taking a new medicine, always consult your doctor about any interactions it may have with other medications you are taking.
