Before treating your blackheads it's best to know what you are trying to cure so that you can select th best treatment.
What Are Blackheads?
One form of acne is a comedone. These come in the form of open and closed comedones. The technical term for blackheads is an open comedone. If the open pore is clogged with dead skin and oil it begins to oxidize because it is exposed to the air. This causes the area to darken which is why you are left with a black head on the spot. This should put to rest any myths that they are caused by dirt.
Although whiteheads fall into the category of being a comedone, the main difference is that it is closed to air with a thin layer of skin which prevents the oxidation process that occurs with blackheads, thus they remain white.
What Causes Blackheads?
Blackheads can be caused by overproduction of oil by the sebaceous glands, which is why oily skin and blackhead troubles tend to go hand in hand. They are also more likely in times where there is an increase in hormones that promote oil production, such as stress, puberty, menstruation for example.
The most common areas for blackheads to occur is on the face especially the forehead nose and chin, also referred to as the T-Zone. These are common problem areas because they contain a higher number of oil glands. Many people also notice that they have them in their ears! Although this seems surprising, blackheads can actually occur anywhere with a hair follicle.
When you are looking to get rid of blackheads just remember that there is no overnight miracle cure. Choose one method, stick with it for at least a month. If your not seeing any signs of elimination then try another remedy.
As with all forms of acne, some blackheads are more stubborn and severe than others, and if you've tried all sorts of home remedies to over the counter products with no results then maybe you need to consult a dermatologist.
