Removing blackheadsRemoving blackheads (open comedones), those annoying dark spots that occur on the nose, ears, chin, back and shoulders - often in clusters - is satisfying and even addictive. Doing it the right way can mean the difference between helping your skin or creating more zits. How open comedones formWhen a skin pore gets blocked by excess oil and dead skin cells, the resulting plug that forms under the skin attracts bacteria. As the bacteria feed, this microcomedone grows larger and pushes toward the surface.
When the enlarging plug does not open to the air it forms a whitehead or closed comedone. What causes microcomedones in the first place• dead skin cells that have not been sloughed off the skin naturally or removed by using an exfoliating product. • excess facial oil - either from hormones or oily skin and hair products. • an improper, harsh or non-existent skin cleansing routine. • overstimulation of the oil glands by scrubbing or using abrasive products. • physical problems like indigestion, constipation, under-active thyroid and anemia may be contributing factors. • not drinking enough water to flush out toxins and not eating a healthy diet to get needed nutrients for all organs, including the skin • touching your skin or letting hair fall on your face or shoulders adds extra oil and bacteria to the area. Removing blackheadsIt's almost impossible to hold back from squeezing blackheads or big fat pimples of any color, although its not recommended. If you simply can't resist, make sure you know the right way and time to do it. For open comedones the right time is when they're dark and visible on the skin surface. Relax the skin around them first, with warm water from a shower or warm compresses, to soften and make the oil in the plug more fluid so it moves out with as little trauma to the pore and surrounding skin as possible. Over-squeezing any zit stresses the skin and may push the blockage further into the skin, causing a deeper inflammation and a dreaded bigger blemish. Other methods of removing blackheads• Exfoliating is the removal the dead cells that contribute to forming microcomedones. It occurs naturally and when you shave or use an exfoliating product once or twice a week. If you choose to use a product to remove dead skin cells, find a gentle exfoliant, formulated for your particular skin type - and avoid those with ingredients that are known to be harmful. Look for one that removes excess skin cells both on the surface AND inside the pore. Restoring the shape of the pore allows for a more even flow of oil through it. • Metallic extractors for removing blackheads have small round openings at their ends that are placed over the plugged pore and pushed gently to remove the contents. Equal pressure must be applied around the blackhead, or a clogged can pore blossom into a pimple. Again, working with skin that has been relaxed by warm water gives the best results. • Pore strips, advertised to remove blackheads quickly, are expensive and may tear away skin along with the open comedones. Oftentimes they remove only the dark, top layer, leaving the rest of the plug in the skin to develop again. While removing blackheads always seems satisfying, getting to the point where they don't form is even more so. Set up a good skin-care routine and combine that with an exfoliant made for your skin type that does not contain harmful ingredients. What you have to do and the way you have to do it is incredibly simple Whether you are willing to do it, that's another matter. Peter F. Drucker
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