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What are blackheads?|Blackheads vs. whiteheads|Blackheads causes|Blackhead treatment tips|Treatments to avoid
What are blackheads, exactly?
Simple, gentle, consistent treatment is the best method for getting rid of blackheads.
Blackheads are noninflamed clogged pores called comedones.
When this gets exposed to air, it oxidizes and turns black.
Whats the difference between blackheads vs. whiteheads?
What causes blackheads?
So, whats the best way to actually get rid of blackheads on your face and body?
Slow and steady wins the race, Dr. Lipner says.
Keep in mind youre not going to get instant gratification, Dr. Lipner says.
It may take up to a month to see clearer skinbut we promise your patience will pay off.
For most people, washing their face twice a day, morning and night, is the right move.
For those with inflamed acne, a cleanser containing benzoyl peroxide could be helpful instead.
But its important to note that all of these ingredients can be harsh and drying if used too frequently.
Look for creamier products that have hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid.
Pore strips are like a Band-Aid, using adhesive to rip away dead skin cells and dirt.
But this process can take weeks or months to really work.
However, Wong stands by the effectiveness of pore strips to get rid of blackheads quickly.
But, she says, save these for newer breakouts.
For blackheads that have been hanging around for a while, youll need to use other methods.
And just a heads up, there are a lot of options to choose from.
The two major categories of exfoliants are physical and chemical.
If you apply it gently, thats okay, she says.
But most people massage it in aggressivelythat damages the skin more than you help it.
For most people, exfoliation of any kind just once or twice a week is plenty.
These ingredients dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells, allowing them to be washed away easily.
More recently,polyhydroxy acids(PHAs), such as gluconolactone, have become popular acids.
But some may be better suited to your skin than others.
Its also important to pay attention to the concentration of the exfoliating acid youre using.
Although these tend to be gentler than physical exfoliation methods, they can still be intense and irritating.
In general, a higher percentage doesnt always mean better results.
Masks containing clay or charcoal can help get rid of excess dirt and oil from the skin.
In general, its best toavoid popping any pimplesat homeas tempting as it may be.
Theyll go away on their own if you dont mess with them (really!)
and if done incorrectly, a popping session can cause irritation and even an infection.
Ideally, this should be done every four to six weeks if the problem persists, Wong says.
Okay, yes, it happens.
Sometimes you just go for it, despite the warnings from your dermatologist.
In particular, Dr. Nussbaum recommends icing the area for a few minutes to help decrease redness and inflammation.
So yes, definitely continue to use self-tanners if the alternative is getting an actual tan.
Just know that those products can make your blackheads more visible as well.
Plus, UV rays can dry your skin out, which makes acne worse.
So its important to be protected for a bunch of reasons.
You should make sureyour daily face sunscreen(orSPF moisturizer) contains broad-spectrum protection of at least SPF 30.
Additionally, many oils (including coconut oil) can be comedogenic, Dr. Nussbaum says.
Its not always easy to know what is and isnt actually a comedogenic product.
And the way an ingredient is determined to be comedogenic is pretty confusing.
Instead pick a gentle cleanser and a lightweight, hydrating moisturizer.
Retinol is a derivative of the active form of vitamin A called retinoic acid (tretinoin).
It tends to be more gentle because it requires a few steps to be converted to the active form.
There are some drawbacks with retinoids, however.
But you will still need to be patient.
TheAADrecommends changing your pillowcases twice a week to help keep clogged pores and breakouts at bay.
When laundry day arrives, consider using a fragrance-free detergent to avoid any potential skin irritation.
Are there any blackhead treatments to avoid?
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