What is a Blackhead or Whitehead & How to Get Rid of Them

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Blackhead or whitehead is a skin condition that occurs when combination of dead skin cells and sebum hardens and clog your skin pores. They are also known as comedones. Open comedones are called blackheads and closed comedones are called whiteheads.

What causes facial blackheads?

In our hair follicles there are oil glands, called sebaceous gland. These glands produce oil or sebum which provide our hair and skin a way of nourishment and lubrication to naturally stop the hair and skin from drying out. When our sebaceous gland secretes sebum excessively, this can cause a build up, especially when the skin pores are fully or partially blocked by dead skin cells, or other substances, like dirt and make up.  The result can be seen as whitehead or blackhead.

With open comedones, exposure to air and pollution oxidizes the sebum contents and turns them black, leading to the appearance of facial blackheads.

Whiteheads and blackheads can form anywhere there is a hair follicle but they mostly occur in the oiliest areas of your face and body such as your nose, forehead, cheeks, chin and your back.

To prevent blackheads naturally, it’s very important to clean your skin with a proper cleanser and keep the oil ducts clear. Regular exfoliation may also lead to a decrease in sebum production or to dissolving the sebum in the duct and allowing it to drain into the skin rather than causing a blockage.

How to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads fast:

HydraFacial:
It is the pioneer treatment for blackhead removal in Melbourne, suitable for both men and women of all skin types and complexions. This is the only treatment which combines cleansing, exfoliation, peeling, extraction of blackheads and whiteheads, hydration and antioxidant protection, all in one treatment. This suction-based treatment provides a professional and painless extraction by vacuuming the accumulated oil inside the pores out, which helps to prevent the blockage of pores and helps control oil production. HydraFacial also removes dead skin cells and impurities from the skin surface, so no more keratin mixes with sebum and results in facial blackhead removal. It’s a walk in – walk out treatment with no downtime required.

Medical peels
There are different types of skin peels such as lactic acid, glycolic acid and alpha hydroxy acid peels that can be used for facial blackhead removal. Type of the peel and duration of your treatment depend on your skin type and your skin concern. The treatment involves using a gentle yet effective chemical solution to exfoliate the outer top layer of the skin and clean the skin pores of all impurities and blackheads to reveal healthy and fresh skin. Due to the mild acids that are used in our skin peels, treatment can even be performed on delicate skin areas close to the mouth and eyes. A course of four to six treatments in total is recommended in order to receive the maximum benefits.

Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion literally lifts whiteheads and blackheads out of your skin pores. A combination of skin exfoliation and slight suction cleanses the skin pores of all impurities and helps to smooth-textured skin, reducing scarring and decreasing pore size. It also encourages blood and lymph circulation in the treated area as well as the formation of new collagen and skin cells. The process is painless, and you will see visible results after just one treatment. A series of treatments may required for the best outcome.

Home remedies to prevent whiteheads and blackheads?

• Clean  your skin twice daily with a proper cleanser to dissolve skin surface impurities and prevent the blockage of your skin pores.
• Remove your make up every night before going to bed. Sleeping with your makeup on could not only causes pimples, blackheads and milia, it may also cause premature aging.
• Avoid using skin care products and makeup that are too heavy and too rich for your skin type.
• Regular exfoliation with exfoliating gloves can inhibit the formation of blackheads and blemishes by keeping the skin pores free of blockages.
• Make sure to wash your face and body after you shampoo or condition your hair as your hair conditioner could clog your skin pores.
• Apply sunscreen every day and avoid direct sun exposure as much as you can.
• Although there has not been a lot of research to prove the link between food and skin blemishes, it’s better to avoid fast foods and fried food because of their high sugar levels and fat content.

All skin imperfections such as pimples, blackheads and whiteheads are multi-factorial; skin conditions and many things in our daily life such as cosmetic products, pollution, climate change, sun exposure, skin care routine, even foods (specifically high-sugar foods and dairy products) can aggravate the symptoms and cause more pimples and blemishes to develop. Triggers may be different different for every individual so it’s very important to keep track of the things that affects your skin condition and try to avoid them.
Elham
Clinic manager
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