How to Get Rid of Blackheads: Expert Tips and Tricks

Blackheads are like a bus, and just as they are about to disappear into the distance, three more come into view. In fact, along with blemishes, visible pores, and hyperpigmentation, blackheads are definitely one of the biggest concerns in the beauty world. If you’ve struggled with these critters for years, chances are you haven’t found the root cause yet. You may even be using products that exacerbate the problem without knowing it. VOGUE enlisted dermatologist Anjali Mahto to share her insider knowledge on why you develop blackheads and, more importantly, how to get rid of them.

What are blackheads

Why do blackheads develop? It is a skin problem that many people will encounter all year round. In winter, the skin loses its natural lipids and becomes dry and irritated. To compensate, the skin overworks and produces too much oil which leads to breakouts, which is why blackheads are rampant even in winter. After entering the warm season, the skin will become more oily, and the accumulation will cause the hair follicles to become clogged, resulting in blackheads.

Some old waste cells, which are naturally shed during the skin cycle, become trapped in the hair follicles, creating a blockage that can lead to blackheads. In addition, regularly used beauty products, such as foundation, concealer, and ultra-rich creams, can build up in pores and mix with oil, causing congestion. Finally, there is a myth that blackheads are black because they are filled with dirt. Dermatologist Anjali Mahto said: “The reason why blackheads look black is because the oil has been oxidized. What is black is not dirt, but oxidized oil.” The nose is the most prone to blackheads because it has many hair follicles. Other areas of the face are more prone to excess oil.

skin care regime to follow

There are many ways to get rid of blackheads, but the root problem is excess oil production. “So no matter what treatment you do, blackheads always regenerate naturally every 20 to 40 days. Because you’re alive, you’re constantly producing oil,” says Dr. Anjali. That means no single treatment will ever fix the problem forever.You can maintain each other

1. Exfoliate regularly

Can be used as part of your daily skin care routine, everyone’s skin is different, but twice a week is a good start. “Exfoliation, which removes the top layer of dead skin cells, is quite effective and keeps everything from old skin cells, dirt, and makeup from getting clogged on the top layer of pores,” says Dr. Anjali. Instead of a scrub for deteriorating skin, chemicals can be used to dissolve dead skin cells on the surface. So, AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), BHAs (beta hydroxy acids), glycolic acid, and lactic acid are all good for treating blackheads. Anjaki adds: “BHA doesn’t just help move the cell surface, it goes into the pores and unclogs them from the inside out, it dissolves everything and unclogs the pores,

2. Use a Deep Purifying Mask

Look for ingredients that contain zinc oxide (soothes), sulfur (preserves and kills bacteria), and charcoal (sucks out bacteria). And, if you thought retinol was only good for wrinkles, its ability to speed up cell turnover also makes it a prime ingredient for unclogging pores. It is best used at night, but not with acids.

3. Squeeze blackheads

Professionals can squeeze blackheads without causing harm, so if you really want to get rid of blackheads, be sure to ask your dermatologist or esthetician to use acne-specific equipment. Professional instruments use a small metal ring on the end of the wand that increases pressure around the blackhead and pushes the debris out. The difference between a professional instrument and your own squeeze is that a professional will not cause scars or damage to the surrounding skin, and usually heat steam is used first to relax the skin and open the pores. If professional beauticians are using their fingers, they Gently remove blackheads by rolling them with your fingertips instead of squeezing them with your nails.

4. Foods that can improve blackheads

We all know that what happens in the body shows up on the skin. So it doesn’t hurt to opt for anti-inflammatory foods that combat excess oil, whiteheads and clogged pores. Controlling blood sugar and insulin can also help, so try to avoid sugary, starchy foods that can trigger skin problems. Eat plenty of cold-water fish, such as wild salmon, sardines, herring and anchovies, which are rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, which act as natural anti-inflammatory agents and are great for the health and appearance of your skin. They also help reduce stress chemicals like cortisol, which can aggravate acne breakouts. Likewise, eating foods rich in vitamin B2 can help reduce stress, try spinach, almonds, eggs and mushrooms.

Original text fromGlamor UK Edition