PREVENT APPEARANCE OF BLACKHEADS
We all want to be beautiful, and we know that neat and clean skin is an essential step to shine. However, sometimes there are small imperfections that make us ugly, such as spots, pimples, or blackheads on the face, and we must learn to deal with them, especially with blackheads, which appear when one least expects it and they make our face appear dirty and in low light.
We have all ever experienced the ordeal of a blackhead. It is a problem that concerns almost everyone. They appear from adolescence and in some cases, they tend to remain until the third age. It is one of the most hated blemishes by men and women around the world after acne. Here we will tell you everything you need to know about blackheads.
Blackheads are formed by a clogging of the pores of the skin with sebum, a fatty material secreted by the sebaceous gland. Each person is prone to a different extent to blockage of the sebaceous glands by excess fat. Many people think that blackheads are dark because that is the color of the dirt in the pore. The truth is that the dots are black or dark gray because the oil and dead skin that clogs the pore “oxidizes” (turns black) when they come in contact with air.
We know that it is a fairly common problem, no matter what age or skin type you have. For that reason, we will understand why blackheads form and tell you how to eliminate them and prevent them from coming out again.
Why Do The Blackheads Appear?
Before going on to analyze how the process of appearance of blackheads is, we must do a very brief review of the anatomy of our skin. We are talking about the largest organ of the human body and one of the most important, because in addition to being the primary barrier against bacterial infection, it protects us from harmful substances regulates temperature, allows the development of a sense of touch, etc.
THE ANATOMY OF THE SKIN
Be that as it may, what matters to us today is to focus on its structure. Renewing completely every 4 to 8 weeks, the skin is made up of three layers:
Structures of the Skin
Epidermis: It is the outermost layer and also the thinnest, with a thickness of approximately 0.1 millimeters, although it varies depending on the area of the body. It consists of about 20 layers of dead keratinocytes (a type of skin cell), which form a mantle that isolates us from the environment.
Dermis: It is the middle layer and also the thickest. Unlike the previous layer, made up of dead keratinocytes, the dermis is basically collagen and elastin, two substances that give flexibility, firmness, resistance, and strength to the skin. This layer of skin contains the nerve endings that make the sense of touch possible.
Hypodermis:It is the innermost layer of the skin and its majority component, 95%, are lipids. Therefore, it is a layer of fat that serves as an energy store and insulates the body from cold and heat.
The Sebaceous Glands Plug the Hair Follicles
Hair follicles are cavities where hair grows and that we traditionally call “pores”. These hair follicles are cross the three layers of the skin (they more or less reach the middle of the hypodermis) and are found throughout the skin, except for the lips and soles of the feet and hands.
Hair follicles are the only natural opening in our skin and are the only unprotected place on the skin. Be that as it may, this in itself should not be a problem, it is becoming one due to the presence of another structure linked to them: the sebaceous glands.
These sebaceous glands secrete fatty substances (called sebum) and release them inside the hair follicle, with the aim that these oily compounds lubricate the hair and form a hydrolipidic film (water and fat) that give integrity to the skin.
Now, when these sebaceous glands synthesize more fat than they should have due to hormonal alterations, bacterial infections, stress (the exact causes are not known), it is possible that this excess causes clogging of the hair follicle or pore. The formation of this fat plug in the hair follicles is what causes, by the accumulation of bacteria, dirt, and impurities, the appearance of pimples and blackheads.
What Are Blackheads?
A blackhead is a type of pimple, so it develops due to the plugging of the hair follicles due to excessive production of fat by the sebaceous glands. The blackhead also called “comedo”, is the visible part of an excess of sebum produced by the sebaceous glands. Sebum is a greasy substance designed particularly to lubricate the skin and prevent bacteria from entering the epidermis.
During adolescence, a period in which the body experiences hormonal turmoil, the sebaceous glands tend to produce excess sebum. This is what causes the appearance of a small comedo. Upon contact with air, it oxidizes and turns black, which gives rise to the first manifestation of acne, blackheads.
The Favorite Places of Blackheads…
As a logical consequence, blackheads appear on the parts of the body that are provided with sebaceous glands. In particular on the face, more specifically on the famous “T zone”: the forehead, the nose, and the chin. Blackheads can also be located on the torso, shoulders, and back, more often in men.
Who Can Be Affected By Blackheads The Most?
It is certainly not a question of hygiene in any case and everyone can have blackheads. For hormonal reasons, adolescents are particularly exposed to these blemishes, but they equally affect a not insignificant part of adults – women and men.
7 Factors That Promotes or Triggers the Appearance of Blackheads
There are several myths around blackheads, for example, that those with blackheads are less hygienic than others. Here are the key factors that health professionals know can influence some people being more prone to blackheads and acne than others:
1. Genetics: Genes determine our skin type and some of us have skin that is more reactive and prone to blackheads, inflammation, blemishes, and acne than others. If both parents had blackheads, there is a greater chance that your child will develop the condition.
2. Hormones: Blackheads are a hormonal disease. Hormones are responsible for the development of the sebaceous glands and also stimulate the production of sebum in these sebaceous glands (an overproduction of sebum is one of the defining symptoms of blemish-prone skin).
The increase in hormones during puberty is the main reason why acne is more prevalent in adolescence, but hormones continue to affect men and women differently at different stages of life: changes in hormone levels during the menstrual cycles often cause flare-ups in women in their 20s and 30s.
3. Medications: Some medications, such as steroids and lithium, can cause acne and blackheads. While they are not the cause of acne but can trigger and aggravate symptoms. Some medicines stimulate the rapid renewal of skin cells or promote skin peeling. Such is the case with hair growth stimulants and benzoyl peroxide.
4. Diet: There is some evidence of a correlation between diet and blackheads. A diet with a high glycemic index and a lot of dairy products can trigger or aggravate blackheads.
5. Stress: Stress can trigger hormones that in turn stimulate sebum production and exacerbate blackheads. Stress can make blemish-prone skin worse.
6. Smoking: Research indicates that smoking exacerbates blackheads by causing oxidative stress on the skin and altering the composition of sebum.
7. Inadequate Skin Care: Soaps and water that is too hard can upset the natural balance of the skin and exacerbate symptoms. Some skincare and makeup products are also comedogenic (meaning they clog pores and cause blackheads).
6 GOLDEN RULES TO PREVENT THE APPEARANCE OF BLACKHEADS
To eliminate blackheads, prevention is just as important as treatment. Therefore, here are some best strategies both to reduce the risk of blackheads appearing and, once they are there, to eliminate them effectively without damaging the skin. Bursting them is prohibited.
1. LET THE SKIN BREATHES:
It is very important that the skin is as free as possible, as this is how it manages to properly drain the fat from the hair follicles, thus preventing the appearance of blackheads. In this sense, it is important not to abuse makeup in the areas where we have more blackhead problems. Never go to sleep with makeup still on the face. Along these lines, you have to choose the healthiest make-up removers for the skin.
2. WASH YOUR FACE PROPERLY:
Deep washing of the face in the morning and at night is essential, as this way we eliminate all those dirt that can contribute to the plugging of hair follicles. It is best to wash it with warm water and a special soap depending on your skin type.
To cleanse your skin in the morning, you should use a water-based cleansing gel, and if your skin is sensitive, you should choose a gentler cleanser, such as a cleansing cream, in order to protect it. As for the boys, they must take care of the moment of shaving using foams for shaving softeners, antiseptic and antibacterial.
3. MOISTURIZE THE SKIN:
When your skin is sufficiently hydrated and retains water, the hair follicles are less likely to get clog. Hydration is essential, also for oily skin, because it contributes to its balance and good skin health. But not all creams are suitable.
To eliminate blackheads, excess sebum, and shine, you must apply a cleansing cream daily that is moisturizing, non-comedogenic, and purifying, formulated with specific active ingredients. Drinking enough water daily, between 2 and 3 liters a day is very important to keep the skin appropriately hydrated.
4. USE SPECIAL MASKS:
To eliminate blackheads when they have already formed, it is best to use special masks that allow their extraction. These are applied to the skin and later removed. It is important to choose a quality one, as they will have eliminated the fatty material from the follicles without damaging our skin.
5. AVOID GREASY COSMETICS:
It is very important to avoid all those cosmetics, gels, creams, soaps, etc., that have a high content of fatty substances, as they can contribute to the problem. It is enough to consult the label and select, preferably, those that are made with water. Before going to sleep, removing make-up is mandatory, so you should choose specific make-up removers and lotions according to your skin type.
6. USE FACIAL SCRUB:
Depending on the sensitivity of your skin, you should use gentle exfoliating care. It is important that this is not aggressive for the skin; use a facial scrub between one and two times a week. The accumulation of sebum and dead cells that clog pores is in effect at the origin of blackheads and other blemishes.
It is, therefore, necessary to de-scale the skin regularly, but gently with the help of appropriate exfoliating facial scrub and nourishing care. Use facial scrubs are highly recommended to eliminate the remains of fat, impurities, and dead cells that can cause the obstruction of the hair follicles. These purify the epidermis, remove impurities, refine the horny layer, and help clearer skin.
Daily grooming the skin, with moisturizer and purifying, plus regular nutrition will allow you to eliminate blackheads and regain cleaner skin, simply and effectively.
