Blackheads are an oxidised mix of oil and dead skin cells that plug the pores. Their exposure to air causes them to oxidise and turn black. They mostly appear on the face, back, neck, chest, arms, and shoulders.
Getting rid of blackheads for a clear complexion
Dr Mohan Thomas, a senior cosmetic surgeon tells you how you can get rid of them. Here are a few tips that can help.
Salicylic acid is the preferred ingredient for blackheads and whiteheads because it breaks down the excess oil and dead skin cells. But many people are sensitive to it and you may not be able to use it more than once every few days.
Consult your dermatologist, who can recommend effective night creams and serums that exfoliate any built-up dead skin cells that can contribute to clogged pores.
A skin brush can also provide similar exfoliating benefits by removing excess dead skin cells. The key, though, is to use it only once a week so you don’t want to irritate your skin.
Clay and charcoal masks work well on black heads. The mineral-rich ingredient of the clay mask addresses the three main causes of black head—oil production, dead skin cells, clogged pores —through the process of adsorption. When mixed with water and applied to the skin, it acts like a magnet, drawing impurities (blackheads) out of pores.
Whether your skin is dry or oily, always use a moisturiser so that the skin remains healthy and the sebaceous glands are not over active.
Avoid comedogenic makeup. Also, manual extraction though in vogue for many decades is now frowned upon but still many beauty centers do undertake steaming and extraction of blackheads either with a comedone extractor or comedone tapes. However, this can cause more intense bacterial infection and increase in the comedones.
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