For removing blackheads there are several methods – but salicylic acid works the best. Generally found in over-the-counter acne treatments, salicylic acid while gently stepping up skin-cell turnover also helps to unclog your pores. The best technique to use it is by layering it on the affected area once or twice a day, in concentrations between .5 and 2%.
Blackheads Removal Using Salicylic Treatment
Read on to know how to treat blackheads:
1. Take a hot shower to open your skin pores. The steam helps to open up the pores. While you are in the shower, use a gentle scrub with salicylic acid to exfoliate and get rid of dead skin cells. This will also help to remove blackheads.
2. When you step out of the shower, you can do a few things more to treat blackheads. These methods vary from the gentlest method to the harshest (in terms of irritation).
(i) On a daily basis, apply a salicylic acid spot treatment on the affected areas. Salicylic acid is a great remedy to shed dead skin cells and unclog pores. Naturally, it works more efficiently when your pores are wide open so that the salicylic treatment can penetrate deep down. As this may sting and be a little drying too, make sure to moisturize after. This treatment is effective for treating and averting new blackheads as well.
Method:
Use a face wash such as Neutrogena’s Oil-Free Acne Wash or Olay Fresh Effects Acne Control Face Wash. For those who are lazy like me, they can use such as face-wipes Tomatoes Blemish Clearing Facial Wipes. Then, apply a spot treatment such as Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment or a medicated tinted moisturizer, like Aveeno Clear Complexion BB Cream.
The longer this treatment for blackheads stays on your face, the more time it gets to work its magic. However, make sure not to overdo it— try varying your concentrations (2% salicylic is the highest OTC percentage), taking into account your skin’s sensitivity. If your skin gets overly dry, tight, or irritated, reduce the concentration, the number of products in your regimen, or the frequency of application.
To quote Dr. Day: “People can be too aggressive with salicylic acid and irritate their skin. Understand that it takes time for everything to work, so give it a few days to a week in order to really have the full benefit”.
(ii) Apply a clay mask all over your face (or just affected areas), once a week, after taking shower and while your pores are still open. Read here for a great clay mask for treating acne . The clay is good for absorbing the leftover sebum in your pores, and shrink blackheads too. As clay masks are a bit drying, so make sure to moisturize well after. They are also good for treating and averting new blackheads.
3. If your blackheads are super stubborn, such as on the nose, try using pore strips like Biore’s strip. They do yank all the crap out of your skin pores, but they won’t prevent blackheads. When you pull off the strip, you actually see all the blackheads that are yanked out. This method quickly removes blackheads, but it’s rather drying and a little harsh on your skin. So, limit its usage once a week. Avoid the strips if you have a sunburn, breakout, or excessively sensitive skin.
Most Advanced Blackheads Removing Products
Preventing And Treating Blackheads Tips
(i) Clay, charcoal, and salicylic acid facemasks are effective alternatives to strips. Make sure to follow the directions given on the label closely and keep them on for not more than the recommended time.
(ii) Exfoliating gently on a regular basis is a great way to keep blackheads in check, because it scrubs off dead skin cells that could otherwise clog pores. Make it a point not to over-scrub—you don’t want to strip your skin. Once or twice a week is enough—any more than that is overkill. There are some good blackheads eliminating scrubs available on market. Try a gentle face scrub (such as Garnier Clean + Blackhead Eliminating Scrub) or an at-home glycolic-acid peel (Juice Beauty Green Apple Blemish Clearing Peel does the job and also helps eliminate acne scars). You can also alternate between manual and chemical exfoliants.
4. Try a skin brush. Washing your face with a mechanical skin brush helps fight against blackheads—not only because it’s basically a powered-up way to exfoliate, but also as the deep cleanse allows active ingredients to better penetrate your skin, making them more dynamic. They in fact work better than using your hands or a washcloth, both in averting and treating blackheads too.
Tip: Use a good quality brush and keep its heads clean, and replace them often.
Can Benzoyal Peroxide Get Rid Of Blackheads?
Are you thinking of using benzoyl peroxide to treat blackheads? Well, just read on! While benzoyl can annihilate zits quickly, salicylic is a far better blackhead remedy as it helps exfoliate and unblock your pores. Benzoyl is primarily a bactericide that’s used to exterminate the P. acnes bacteria. This is not of much concern with blackheads because they’re open at the surface—and contact with air kills the anaerobic bacteria.
Does Using Hydrogen Peroxide Or Rubbing Alcohol Treat Blackheads?
They have zero effect on the bacteria that causes acne, and so don’t help in treating blackheads or whiteheads. Rather dry out your skin. And if you use too much of Hydrogen peroxide, it being actually toxic to collagen in skin cells, will do more harm to your skin.
Dermatologist Recommended Products To Remove Blackheads
Should You Use DIY Treatments Found On Internet?
As tempting as it may be to use DIY blackhead home remedies, there are better ways to get rid of blackheads! Skin-care companies have spent billions researching and developing blackhead treatments, so there’s no reason to resort to a home remedy that you’ve found on a random blog. Let us leave it to professionals. In fact when it comes to blackheads, there are various inexpensive products available in the drugstore that DIY just doesn’t make sense. These products have been tested on skin, and will provide you a far effective remedy so much further for the same price, or less, than the DIY ingredients.
Dermatologist Recommended Products To Remove Blackheads
Consult A Dermatologist?
Are you geeing tempted to squeeze out blackheads? Before you do this at home and possibly cause inflammation or scarring, speak to a dermatologist. Your dermatologist may prescribe retinoids or chemical peels or Isolaz, a multi-session, in-office treatment that combines gentle pore suctioning with light therapy that will quicken removal of blackheads. You can really see significant results as soon as the treatment starts.
Useful Related Post: Best Blackheads Removing Products Available In Market
Blackheads And Acne Prevention Tricks
(i) Probably one night of sleeping with your makeup on won’t trigger a blackhead invasion, but over time, this bad habit will certainly results in to blocked pores. So, wash your face as soon as you walk inside your home. In case you just can’t deal with cleaning your face after a long day, cleansing cloths can help you do this job. Keep a stack of them next to your bed.
(ii) And, for pity’s sake, don’t get into the habit of feeling up your face. Being all touchy-feely can transfer bacteria to your pores and this is a sure passport to trigger blackheads and acne breakouts.
(iii) Dry, flaky skin is prone to blackheads and acne, so moisturizing is must. As in case of skin-care products, opt for non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic formulae because they are tested and proven not to clog pores and cause breakouts. Oil-free is also good, but not as good as those two. Avoid blocking products such as petrolatum and silicones, which contain heavy-duty ingredients that prop up a moisture barrier. Due to sealing in of the moisture, they also trap dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria — which is a deadly combo for causing more blackheads.
(iv) Over-the-counter retinol products and stronger, prescription retinoids (like Retin-A) are generally well known for their anti-aging benefits, but they do have blackhead-busting properties also. These products cause your skin cells to turn over effectively, without over-stripping. Keeping your skin healthy helps to minimize blackheads. It’s an ongoing process. Begin with a gentle OTC formula, like RoC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Night Cream, every other night, and continue with it for at least 3 months to actually see results.
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Hope this helps.