What Exactly Are Blackheads?
The first thing you need to understand is that blackheads are not zits in formation or blemishes since the clogging of hair follicles produces them. Most people will have blackheads throughout their life, but the amount of oil and dirt that sits on their faces determines how many of them appear.
Typically, blackheads are small, black or yellow lumps that start growing on the skin. Despite common belief, they are not filled with fat or dirt but contain the hair follicle within them. That’s what gives them their dark tone.
Where Is The Most Usual Spot For Them?
There isn’t one singled-out zone where blackheads are prone to appear, but there are a few areas that can gather enough oil or dirt to cause the clogging of the hair follicles or the sebaceous glands.
The most common places for blackheads to form are the face, back, neck, chest, shoulders and arms. This is due to the vulnerability of these parts to environmental factors, such as the sun, wind or particles of dirt floating in the air.
What Are The Causes?
The building up of bacteria, dead skin cells and oil over a hair follicle can cause it to clog. This, in turn, causes an opening on the surface of the skin. The constant exposure to the elements, stress and the natural aging process are factors in the formation of blackheads.
And although they are not just a male issue, they are more likely to experience them in their life. This is because men’s skin is oilier than women’s skin. They also have larger pores and sweat more than women, producing more blackheads.
How To Prevent The Formation Of Blackheads?
To be able to nix the risk of developing blackheads, you need to start changing your skincare routine towards a more preventive approach. First, you need to wash your face daily to cleanse and moisturize the skin.
Then, you need to look for products with high retinol content. This ingredient will help you unclog blocked pores and prevent the apparition of blackheads. And lastly, you need to become acquainted with face masks, which open your pores and help with the oil build-up on them.
How To Treat Existing Blackheads?
Do not pop or squeeze them, no matter how tempting that may be. You are only making it worse because the pore is already open, so by messing with it, you will just cause the area to become inflamed and sore.
What you can do instead is cleanse the area with warm water and apply an exfoliator or cleanser. This will remove any dirt or oil excess on your skin, which will lead to the unclogging of the hair follicle. But be careful, do not exfoliate every day. It can cause irritation to the skin.