1. Actually blackheads appear from where, anyway?
Common blackheads appear on the face with the characteristics of small dark spots. It may look like a pimple, but blackheads are lighter and darker. This dark color is formed from melanin pigment (produced by skin cells) that have been exposed to air or sun exposure so that the process of oxidation.
Blackheads most often appear on the nose, chin, around the lips, and around the ears. In addition to the face, blackheads can also appear on the back, neck, arms, shoulders, and even the chest. This is because there are many hair follicles in the area. Hair grows from hair follicles located in the pores. Well, there is a special gland that produces sebum or natural oils of skin underneath.
When these pores are blocked by sebum and dead skin cells, dead skin cells that reside in the pores can react with oxygen and change color to black. However, if the skin around the clogged pores closes, the dead skin cells do not react with oxygen and will be white. Both are called comedones.
2. What is the cause of blackheads?
The cause of blackheads is generally dirt stuck in the pores of the skin. This may happen if you include people who rarely clean the face, especially after you use makeup.
Actually there are two factors that can increase the risk of blackheads on the face, namely age and hormonal changes. Blackheads often appear during puberty, where the increase in hormones at this time can trigger oil production under the skin.
The increased production of androgen hormones during puberty (in both men and women) triggers the production of oil or sebum and more dead skin cells. However, hormonal changes do not only occur during puberty, but also during menstruation, pregnancy, and when using birth control pills.
Some other factors that can cause blackheads are:
The use of cosmetics that can cover the skin pores
Lots of sweat
Shave, which can make hair follicles open
Stress or other conditions associated with hormonal changes, such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and PCOS
Use of steroid drugs, such as corticosteroids
3. What is the difference with blackheads with acne?
Sometimes, you may not be able to distinguish between blackheads and acne. In fact, both are different and need different handling as well.
Acne is usually white because of pus or red when inflamed, while blackheads can be black or white. The red color on this acne can appear due to inflammation of the skin. While blackheads are not due to inflammation, but because of the oxidation process.
Judging from the size, usually a smaller blackheads, even sometimes you may not realize that you have blackheads. Meanwhile, acne can have a size large enough.
How to remove it?
Cleansing the face diligently can be the best way to prevent the occurrence of blackheads. You can actually remove blackheads by squeezing the skin around blackheads to get out. However, this can aggravate the condition, for example, even causing inflammation that previously did not exist. Another way you can do is to do facials or use pore strips.
If blackheads are still stubborn, you may need to check it out to a dermatologist. The dermatologist may recommend a remedy to help clear blackheads according to your skin type.
5. What if blackheads are left?
Blackheads are allowed to develop into severe acne. Blockage in the pores of the skin makes oil continue to accumulate under the skin. Plus, dirty face, oily, and the habit of holding the face to make germs easily attached to the skin.
This then makes the clogged skin pores become irritated and enlarged. Over time, the pores of the skin will break, the white blood cells enter, and the pores become red and swollen. Finally, acne develops.