What do blackheads look like on the face?

Blackheads spoil the appearance and can appear at different ages. It is impossible to get rid of them with regular washing, so many people immediately resort to a set of products. However, if you do not determine the cause of the appearance of open comedones, then they can occur constantly, and any method will only give a temporary result.

Why do blackheads appear?

Blackheads (open comedones) are miniature cysts that form in hair follicles when fat oxidizes and mixes with dead skin cells. A distinctive feature is the dark head, which protrudes slightly above the surface of the pore. Blackheads most often bother those with oily or combination skin. Unlike open comedones, closed ones form under the top layer of skin. Fat accumulates in the follicle without oxidizing under the influence of oxygen. This cosmetic problem is also called whiteheads. In this case, bacterial flora is often present, which provokes the inflammatory process.

The common cause of both types of comedones is excess sebum production, which is provoked by increased levels of testosterone, the male sex hormone. That is why these cosmetic problems most often appear during adolescence. After all, during this period there is an active production of male hormones.

For the same reason, open comedones may appear during pregnancy, since the placenta produces additional testosterone. Blackheads may be more pronounced during ovulation, when a significant dose of male hormone is released. Before menstruation, open and closed comedones become larger due to increased sebum production under the influence of progesterone, which is active in the second phase of the cycle. This is how the glands react to changes in hormonal levels.

Pathological processes such as:

1. inflammatory diseases of the liver and biliary tract;
2. gastritis;
3. inflammation of the duodenum, which interferes with the absorption of nutrients;
4. diseases of the thyroid gland associated with a decrease in its function;
5. inflammatory bowel pathologies: proctitis, colitis, sigmoiditis;
6. hormonal disorders associated with taking appropriate medications;
7. pancreatitis;
8. diabetes;
9. pathologies of the adrenal glands.

The following factors can contribute to the occurrence of open comedones:

1. frequent stress that provokes hormonal fluctuations;
2. an abundance of fatty foods in the diet;
3. being overweight;
4. improper facial care: infrequent washing, dry skin, etc.;
5. use of low-quality cosmetics;
6. smoking.

The causes and factors contributing to the appearance of both types of comedones are largely similar. This problem rarely bothers people with dry skin, since their sebaceous glands produce less secretion.

How to prevent open comedos

To prevent the problem from occurring, it is necessary to properly care for your skin, namely:

1. Wash your face daily using special products suitable for your skin type. It is important to observe the temperature regime. At the same time, you can wash your face with cool water in the morning and warm water in the evening to wash away all the sebum and dead cells that have accumulated during the day.
2. Use a scrub or peeling several times a week. Regular exfoliation will prevent clogged pores. For these purposes, it is recommended to use both store-bought and homemade products: coffee, salt, oatmeal, etc.
3. Once a week, deep clean the pores of impurities. To do this, you can use film masks, adhesive strips and a special extractor that allows you to squeeze out the comedone.
4. Use toners that contain salicylic acid, which can soften the contents of pores and remove excess sebum.
5. Use creams containing adapalene and its derivatives. Such products reduce the activity of the sebaceous glands, preventing the release of large amounts of fat. For prevention, it is enough to apply the cream 2-3 times a week.
6. During the hot season, it is important to protect the skin from ultraviolet rays using special creams with filters.
7. Do not wash your face with soap every day; instead, it is better to use special foams and gels.

To avoid the occurrence of open comedones, it is recommended to use only high-quality cosmetics and be sure to remove makeup before going to bed.

To prevent the appearance of blackheads, I use exfoliating products 3 times a week. In my case it’s a coffee scrub, sometimes I also use apricot kernels. Such products perfectly exfoliate the skin and cleanse pores, preventing the accumulation of oil. At least the number of blackheads after the procedure is reduced and new ones do not appear. Additionally, 3 times a week I apply Clenzit gel to the skin, which helps prevent the appearance of open and closed comedones. I do not recommend using this product more often, as the skin begins to itch and peel.

Measures to prevent blackheads - video

Recommendations from dermatologists

Preventive recommendations from specialists:

1. To improve skin condition, it is recommended to reduce the consumption of fatty and carbohydrate foods, giving preference to proteins. The diet should contain more plant fiber. It is necessary to exclude fast food, instant products, and also not to overuse chocolate. All junk food affects the density of sebum (sebum).
2. Do not overdry the skin with alcohol-containing lotions, which further activate the sebaceous glands.
3. Try not to touch your face with your hands.
4. If your skin is oily, you shouldn't wash your face every few hours. To eliminate excess fat, it is recommended to use mattifying wet wipes or tonics based on herbal decoction.
5. Stop smoking and do not abuse alcohol.
6. Use peelings with fruit acids once a month to deeply cleanse pores.
7. Eliminate gastrointestinal diseases, since the composition of sebum (sebum) largely depends on the quality of food digestion.
8. Drink more clean water, up to 2 liters per day.
9. Relieve constipation in a timely manner.
10. Do not perform mechanical cleaning of pores too often, especially at home.

“Black dots” (comedones) are nothing more than an accumulation of sebum. The production of sebum by the sebaceous glands is the norm; another thing is that if the skin is not taken care of, it will accumulate in the hair follicle and lead to the formation of enlarged pores. Oxidizing in air, sebum acquires a dark color. I recommend using exfoliating preparations weekly to normalize the outflow of sebum (scrubs, light homemade chemical peels); enzymatic peels can be applied to lighten blackheads. Periodically, mechanical cleaning is possible (according to indications). Under no circumstances should you remove these elements yourself if there is inflammation.

Samodelkina Ksenia Aleksandrovna (dermatologist)

https://health.mail.ru/consultation/153106/

It is necessary to avoid highly abrasive scrubs with large and coarse particles, as they injure the skin, as well as alcohol-containing lotions and tonics, because they violate the protective barrier of the skin. I also do not recommend abusing special strips for blackheads. They can irritate the skin and cause inflammation. You should not squeeze out blackheads yourself. This can lead to scarring and infection. Seek help from professionals! The most effective ways to get rid of blackheads are facial cleansing and peeling. If you don't cleanse your skin at all, excessive accumulation of sebaceous secretions can lead to even larger pores. I recommend atraumatic ultrasonic facial cleansing using the Skin Master device, chemical peelings based on mandelic and azelaic acids Purless M-peel, pyruvic acid and retinol Red Peel, laser peeling using the Fraxel Dual device (evens out skin microrelief).

Anna Pleshkova (cosmetologist, dermatovenerologist)

https://gmt-clinic.ru/news/mnenie-eksperta-kak-izbavitsya-ot-chernyh-tochek

Prevention and elimination of open comedones: the opinion of a dermatologist - video

In order to prevent the appearance of blackheads, you need to follow the rules of hygiene and eliminate everything harmful from your diet. It is also necessary to monitor hormonal levels and the functioning of the digestive system. If the problem occurs and is aggravated by the appearance of acne, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist who will help find out the cause and eliminate it.

When pores become clogged with sebum and dust particles, they become dark and inflamed. Mostly, blockages occur on the nose and in the T-zone of the face, since the glands that secrete fat are most active in these areas. The reasons why blackheads appear may be different; it is more important to find out what means exist to remove them, preferably once and for all.

What are blackheads

Scientifically, they are called open comedones. In fact, these are clogged pores with sebum, dirt and dust, etc. Comedones can be of different sizes (and small ones, which are difficult to squeeze out, are no better than large ones that spoil the appearance), can become inflamed, then turning into pimples. The problem of blackheads is medical, therefore, to solve it, it is recommended to seek help from a cosmetologist. However, there are home methods for getting rid of it.

What they look like

Comedones look as they are described - they are dark spots that appear primarily on the nose and T-zone (forehead/bridge of the nose), but can be located on other parts of the face, such as the cheeks and chin, or on the body. The problem is especially pronounced in those with oily or combination skin types and enlarged pores. The visual effect of black pores results from the accumulation of dirt in them. The more clogged debris, the larger and darker the dot.

Why do blackheads appear?

Unlike teenage acne, clogged pores also occur in adulthood. The reasons for this are as follows:

1. Hormonal imbalances in the body. At the age of 27-30, there is a sharp decline in estrogen in the blood, which is why sebum begins to be released in greater quantities than before. Some medications can also lead to hormonal imbalances.
2. Incorrect care. Scented makeup products and incorrectly selected cosmetics have a negative impact. Oily creams can clog pores. Drying medications can dry out the skin, causing it to produce more oil in response. In addition, if you neglect to regularly cleanse your face every evening and every morning (not necessarily with expensive toners, but minimal care, washing and complete removal of makeup before bed should take place), the skin will begin to become dirty.
3. Poor nutrition. Abuse of spicy, salty and fatty foods (especially fast food), coffee, energy drinks, and alcoholic drinks leads to active work of the sebaceous glands.
4. Smoking. Tobacco is bad for your skin. It is recommended to limit it or eliminate it altogether.
5. Sweating. This function can be adjusted: do not wear makeup on hot days, use thermal water, do not wear clothes made of synthetic fabrics.
6. Ecology. The air in megacities is more polluted than in villages. The solution is simple: cleanse your face as often as possible.

How to get rid of black dots

To choose an effective way to get rid of it, you need to find out the cause of its occurrence. Only by solving the original problem will it be possible to clear your face of blackheads once and for all. The methods of struggle are:

1. Homemade cleansing face masks. They are made on the basis of drying and antibacterial components - lemon juice, kefir, chamomile decoction. The effect is noticeable after several repetitions.
2. Extrusion. This is a simple, but painstaking, painful work that is recommended to be done once every two weeks. You can sign up for this procedure with a cosmetologist or squeeze out blackheads at home yourself.
3. Peeling and scrubs. They can be homemade (contain sugar, soda or fine salt) or purchased cosmetics. Removal of blackheads using this method is carried out both independently and in salons. It is recommended to do it once or twice a week (for light peeling), less often for aggressive scrubbing.
4. Strips for removing blockages. They are sold in markets or made according to folk recipes based on gelatin.
5. Combined drugs. Medicinal gels containing anti-inflammatory components and antibiotics. They cleanse from the inside, penetrating deeply into the layers of the epidermis, thereby destroying harmful microorganisms.