Removal of Blackheads

Blackheads?
(15 Jul 2009)

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A blackhead is a miniscule plug of keratin and sebum, and is often found on facial skin. The sebaceous glands in the skin produce sebum, which helps to moisturize the skin. This oil comes up from the sebaceous glands through ducts and when there is an overproduction of this oil, it collects in the ducts and starts to harden.

Although many people mistakenly believe that blackheads are dark in color due to the presence of dirt, this is not true. Dirt and dust particles are too big to enter the pores on the skin and instead settle on the surface of the skin. Blackheads are very similar to whiteheads.

Both blackheads and whiteheads are made of the same material, the only difference between the two is that blackheads have been exposed to the air and so the top tends to oxidize and become black in color. Blackheads that have not yet oxidized completely may be a very dark yellow or brown color.

People often try to squeeze out their blackheads using their nails or various cosmetic instruments. This is not the best method as it often leaves marks. It also tends to make your pores wider. This can also be a very painful task and excessive pressure can cause the blood vessels in that area to burst. This will lead to reddened blotchy patches of skin, which can be very unsightly. It is also not wise to use an abrasive scrub to try and scrape away the blackheads as they go way down into the ducts of your skin. Attempting to scrub them off with an abrasive surface will only cause your skin to become sore and inflamed. In addition to this, the scrubbing will agitate the sebaceous glands and will increase the production of sebum. This increase in sebum production will obviously cause an increase in the number of blackheads on your skin.

One of the best methods of extracting blackheads effortlessly is to use blackhead removal strips. These strips are easily available at pharmacies, supermarkets and beauty stores. Most removal strips require you to apply the strip to your nose and then wet the strip with a little water. The strip is then allowed to dry undisturbed. You can then pull it off without wetting it. The strip is adhesive in nature, and the blackheads can be easily observed sticking to the strip. It would be advisable to steam your face for at least 1o minutes before you apply the strip as this will help to temporarily expand your pores and increase the effectiveness of the strip.

answered by a on 15 Jul 2009, 6:00:59

Removal of Blackheads

Blackheads? (15 Jul 2009)

Blackheads?
(15 Jul 2009)