Everybody gets blackheads – fact. Even Beyoncé (probably). Luckily, there are ways to and prevent and treat the little blighters. Let’s get started!
What are blackheads?
A type of pimple, basically.
How did they get there?
Blackheads are skin pores that get clogged with the excess oil our skin naturally produces to stay hydrated and smooth. These ‘’pores’’ are technically hair follicles. Key areas of the body, especially the face, have a tendency to overproduce this oil – sebum – which causes the hair follicles to clog.
How can I prevent blackheads?
Get out of the habit of unnecessarily touching your face or resting your face on your hands (if we looked like Beyoncé, we would be touching our face all the time).
Strive to keep your skin clean and free of oil. Use oil-free cosmetics and clean your face twice daily with a cleanser; more so after getting your sweat on at the gym. Avoid using heavy-duty exfoliants which can shred your skin and make existing blackheads worse.
Wash your pillow cases regularly. Your pillowcase accumulates dead skin cells while you sleep. Wash once a week to avoid clogging your pores with those deceased little skin cells.
How to Get Rid of Blackheads
Sometimes, no matter what you do, blackheads still appear. All is not lost! There are several methods of blackhead removal, so you’re bound to find something that works for you.
Blackhead Removal Tools
Blackhead removal tools were originally only used by aestheticians and dermatologists. Using these tools, you can remove the clog, essentially eliminating a blackhead. There are many different types of tools available. Here’s a quick guide:
Blackhead Extractor – a long pencil-shaped tool that has two loops of different sizes. Putting pressure on the surface area surrounding the blackhead encourages it to abandon the pore.
Blackhead tweezer – Almost the same as tweezers, but this one is very sharp and includes a curved end so you can have a good old rummage for that gunk.
The extractors and tweezers come in varying sizes and often come in sets including a few sizes and styles of the tools. This helps you conquer blackheads of different sizes.
Microdermabrasion vacuum – a little machine which acts as a vacuum and sucks out whatever is clogging your pores. Less scary than it sounds.
Some dermatologists approve of home blackhead removal using these tools, whilst others suggest you can damage your skin and cause scarring, among other issues.
Blackhead Removal Mask
Another popular – and much gentler – method is using a blackhead remover mask. There are essentially two types of blackhead masks on the market; the regular kind you can rinse off, and peel-off kind.
The beauty of masks (well, once they’re off) is that you can target all your blackheads at once. Peel-off masks are particularly satisfying because you can immediately inspect the little blighters now attached to the mask instead of your face!
Blackhead removal masks won’t leave your skin red and irritated, either, unlike other methods which can even cause bleeding.
Your Blackhead Removal Plan
Taking care of your skin so as to prevent blackheads is the easiest way to maintain great skin, whilst there are methods here to help you conquer which already exist.
If you’re still struggling with stubborn blackheads, it may be worthwhile approaching a doctor or dermatologist to rule out other reasons your skin may be acting up.
