Bye bye blackheads

• July 7, 2019

Blackheads are one of the most common forms of acne. Although people who have oily skin are more vulnerable to them, we’ve all struggled with blackheads, and we know how annoying they can be: they just keep coming back all over our face!
It may be tempting to try to pinch or push the black plug out without knowing that this can cause unnecessary scarring and other damage to your skin. But not to worry, Dr. Costi has a solution to this annoying beauty problem.

Here are 10 tips to say goodbye to blackheads for good.

What exactly are blackheads?
Blackheads are an oxidized mix of oil and dead skin cells that are sitting in pores, and the exposure to air is what causes them to oxidize and turn black as per Dr. Costi. They are characterized by a dilated opening of a hair follicle, caused by the build-up of sebum, which is oil, bacteria responsible for causing acne, and inflammation
The technical name for a blackhead is an open comedone (comedone is the scientific term for an acne lesion).
There are two different types of comedones: Open (blackheads) and closed (whiteheads).

What can we do about them?

1. Avoid at-home methods
Picking and popping any form of acne is a big no no, still we are all tempted to do it especially with blackheads. The variety of at-home products available to do so is also helping us to obsess over playing with our skin.
But although these pore strips and masks may help remove junk from your pores, they can also remove elements that actually help your skin. This includes natural oils and hair follicles. Removing all of these elements can cause your skin to dry out and become irritated, resulting in more blackheads.
It is best to keep this task for a professional who will use expert tools to remove clogged blackheads without scratching your skin. Be careful because any unprofessional extraction might turn into a wound or even a scar.

2. Avoid generic treatments
When it comes to over-the-counter spot treatments, you’re likely to find that many products contain benzoyl peroxide. This works by reducing swelling, which a key marker of inflammatory acne (cysts and pustules). It can also get rid of underlying bacteria in a pimple.
However blackheads aren’t considered inflammatory and they aren’t caused by bacteria. So products featuring benzoyl peroxide won’t do much good.

3. Cleanse with salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is the preferred ingredient for blackheads and whiteheads because it breaks down the materials that clog pores: excess oil and dead skin cells.
Try a gentle face scrub, which acts for combatting blackheads, providing double the exfoliation powers.
“The combination of physical exfoliation from the scrub and chemical exfoliation from the salicylic acid can help keep the pores clear” adds Dr. Costi.
To start try using a cleanser that has salicylic acid in it once a day at night only. As your skin gets used to the product, you may choose to use it both morning and night. If your skin is sensitive to salicylic acid then you may not be able to use it more than once every few days.

4. Exfoliate with AHA and BHA
For blackheads regular exfoliation can help remove excessive amounts of dead skin cells that can lead to clogged pores. The process may also gently remove existing blackheads.
Focus on alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs). Glycolic acid is the most common type of AHA, and salicylic acid is a prominent BHA and both work by removing the top layer of your skin.
This can also improve the appearance of wrinkles and age spots, all while cleansing pores and making your skin softer.

5. Get a skin brush
Electronic skin care devices aren’t just hype, they really do cleanse your skin much more thoroughly than your fingers alone.
A sonic brush can provide similar exfoliating benefits as AHAs and BHAs by removing excess dead skin cells. The key is to use it once a week so you don’t cause irritation. You’ll also want to use your skin brush on alternating days from AHA or BHA exfoliators.

6. Try a retinoid cream
Retinoids may be helpful for stubborn cases of acne by helping to unplug pores. This process can also make other topical products more effective, because they’ll be better able to enter the follicle.
Extra tip for those with sensitive skin: if a retinoid cream is too drying, try applying it over moisturizer (or even between layers of moisturizer). Always use non-comedogenic moisturizers, which are formulated specifically to not clog your pores.

7. Use a clay or charcoal mask
These masks are often considered must-haves for oily skin. They work by retrieving dirt, oil, and other elements deep from your pores. As far as blackheads are concerned, clay masks can even loosen and remove clogged pores. Some clay masks also contain sulfur. Sulfur is another ingredient that works to break down the dead skin cells that make up blackheads.
Like clay masks, charcoal masks work deep in the skin to draw out oil, dead skin cells, and other impurities. The ingredient charcoal is thought to take these benefits up another notch.

8. Start using non-comedogenic products
Non-comedogenic means that the product in question won’t cause comedones, or clogged pores. Not all products are non-comedogenic, so you’ll have to read labels carefully.

9. Don’t sleep in your makeup
Sleeping with your makeup on is asking for more blackheads. If left on overnight, even non-comedogenic makeup will clog your pores.

10. Lastly (and always preferably) seek your dermatologist’s advice
If you continue to see new and preexisting blackheads after a few weeks of treatment, the best solution is to go to a dermatologist who will properly use chemical peels, microdermabrasion and/or tools for extractions.
As per Dr. Costi, he commonly performs chemical peels with salicylic acid, glycolic acid or lactic acid in addition to microdermabrasion to remove dead skin cells and unblock pores.

And now say BYE BYE