I found an article on blackheads that I would like to share. Feel free to contribute any methods you have for their extraction.
Blackheads are caused when sebum (the skin’s natural oil) collects and hardens in the pores. The congesting toxins that are being expelled through your skin from the blood and lymph fluid combines with sebum creating a pasty glue. The exposed tip becomes oxidized and black, hence the name - blackheads . Oily and combination skins are most susceptible to these. The skin’s most dense oil glands are located in T-zone. That is why there you get the most blackheads.
**How to get rid of blackheads? **
Step 1 - Cleanse the face thoroughly with a good cleanser meant for oily skin. Preferrably use a salicylic acid cleanser.
Step 2 - Apply an astringent. It helps reduce oiliness. If its a bit harsh mix a bit of rose water in it.
Step 3 - Apply a good quality medicated cream or gel containing resorcinol, salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. This helps is soaking the oil and helps in peeling away the blackheads. You can get creams or gels of Benzoyl Peroxide treating blackheads If benzoyl peroxide leaves your skin dry, apply an oil-free moisturizer after 10 mins of applying benzoyl peroxide.
**Effective Tips to get rid of blackheads **
- Exfoliate the blackhead prone area 3-4 times a week using facial exfoliators and scrubs.
- Use creams containing AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Fruit acids) like glyco-creams that will clear away any dead skin cells and “expose” the blackhead. Use the AHA’s every 3 days or so.
- Keep your hair away from your face. Greasy hair and skin go together, and hair can spread infection.
- Sunshine or ultra-violet light encourages skin peeling, and so helps to clear blocked pores. So sunbathing or use of sun-beds in moderation can be helpful.
- Avoid washing the face with soaps more than twice a day. Instead wash your face often with plain water splashes
