 |
| PREVENT APPEARANCE OF BLACKHEADS |
We all want to be beautiful,
and we know that neat and clean skin is an essential step to
shine. However, sometimes there are small imperfections that make us ugly,
such as spots, pimples, or blackheads on the face, and we must learn to deal
with them, especially with blackheads, which appear when one least expects it
and they make our face appear dirty and in low light.
We
have all ever experienced the ordeal of a blackhead. It
is a problem that concerns almost everyone. They appear from adolescence and
in some cases, they tend to remain until the third age. It
is one of the most hated blemishes by men and women around the world
after acne. Here we will tell you everything you
need to know about blackheads. Blackheads
are formed by a clogging of the pores of the skin with sebum, a fatty material
secreted by the sebaceous gland. Each person is
prone to a different extent to blockage of the sebaceous
glands by excess fat. Many people think
that blackheads are dark because that is the color of the dirt in the pore. The
truth is that the dots are black or dark gray because the oil and dead skin
that clogs the pore "oxidizes" (turns black) when they come in
contact with air.
We
know that it is a fairly common problem, no matter what age or skin type you
have. For that reason, we will understand why blackheads
form and tell you how to eliminate them and prevent them from coming out again.
Before going on to
analyze how the process of appearance of blackheads is, we must do a very brief
review of the anatomy of our skin. We are talking about the largest organ of
the human body and one of the most important, because in addition to being the
primary barrier against bacterial infection, it protects us from harmful
substances regulate temperature, allows the development of a sense of touch,
etc.
Be that as it may, what matters to us today is to focus on its structure. Renewing completely every 4 to 8 weeks, the skin is made up of three layers:
·
Epidermis:
It is the outermost layer and also the thinnest, with a thickness of
approximately 0.1 millimeters, although it varies depending on the area of the
body. It consists of about 20 layers of dead keratinocytes (a type of skin
cell), which form a mantle that isolates us from the environment.
·
Dermis:
It is the middle layer and also the thickest. Unlike the previous layer, made
up of dead keratinocytes, the dermis is basically collagen and elastin, two
substances that give flexibility, firmness, resistance, and strength to the
skin. This layer of skin contains the nerve endings that make the sense of
touch possible.
·
Hypodermis:
It is the innermost layer of the skin and its majority component, 95%, are
lipids. Therefore, it is a layer of fat that serves as an energy store and insulates the body from cold and heat.
Hair follicles are
cavities where hair grows and that we traditionally call “pores”. These hair
follicles are cross the three layers of the skin (they more or less reach the
middle of the hypodermis) and are found throughout the skin, except for
the lips and soles of the feet and hands.
Hair follicles are the
only natural opening in our skin and are the only unprotected place on the
skin. Be that as it may, this in itself should not be a problem, it is becomes
one due to the presence of another structure linked to them: the sebaceous
glands. These sebaceous glands secrete fatty substances (called sebum) and
release them inside the hair follicle, with the aim that these oily compounds
lubricate the hair and form a hydrolipidic film (water and fat) that give
integrity to the skin.
Now, when these
sebaceous glands synthesize more fat than they should have due to hormonal
alterations, bacterial infections, stress (the exact causes are not known), it
is possible that this excess causes clogging of the hair follicle or pore.
The formation of this fat plug in the hair follicles is what causes, by
accumulation of bacteria, dirt, and impurities, the appearance of pimples and
blackheads.
A blackhead is a type of the pimple, so it develops due to the plugging of the hair follicles due to excessive production of fat by the sebaceous glands. The blackhead also called "comedo", is the visible part of an excess of sebum produced by the sebaceous glands. Sebum is a greasy substance designed particularly to lubricate the skin and prevent bacteria from entering the epidermis. During adolescence, a period in which the body experiences hormonal turmoil, the sebaceous glands tend to produce excess sebum. This is what causes the appearance of a small comedo. Upon contact with air, it oxidizes and turns black, which gives rise to the first manifestation of acne, blackheads.
As a logical consequence, blackheads appear on the parts of the body that are provided with sebaceous glands. In particular on the face, more specifically on the famous "T zone": the forehead, the nose, and the chin. Blackheads can also be located on the torso, shoulders, and back, more often in men.
It is certainly not a question of hygiene in any case and everyone can have blackheads. For hormonal reasons, adolescents are particularly exposed to these blemishes, but they equally affect a not insignificant part of adults - women and men.
There
are several myths around blackheads, for example, that those with blackheads
are less hygienic than others. Here are the key factors that health
professionals know can influence some people being more prone to blackheads and
acne than others:
1. Genetics: Genes
determine our skin type and some of us have skin that is more reactive and
prone to blackheads, inflammation, blemishes, and acne than others. If
both parents had blackheads, there is a greater chance that your child will
develop the condition.
2. Hormones: Blackheads are a hormonal disease. Hormones are responsible
for the development of the sebaceous glands and also stimulate the production
of sebum in these sebaceous glands (an overproduction of sebum is one of the
defining symptoms of blemish-prone skin).
The
increase in hormones during puberty is the main reason why acne is more
prevalent in adolescence, but hormones continue to affect men and women
differently at different stages of life: changes in hormone levels during the
menstrual cycles often cause flare-ups in women in their 20s and 30s.
3. Medications: Some medications, such as steroids and lithium, can cause
acne and blackheads. While they are not the cause of acne but can trigger and
aggravate symptoms. Some medicines stimulate the
rapid renewal of skin cells or promote skin peeling. Such is the case with hair growth stimulants and
benzoyl peroxide.
4. Diet: There is some evidence of a correlation between diet and
blackheads. A diet with a high glycemic index and a lot of dairy products
can trigger or aggravate blackheads.
5. Stress: Stress can trigger hormones that in turn stimulate sebum
production and exacerbate blackheads. Stress can make blemish-prone skin
worse.
6. Smoking: Research indicates that smoking exacerbates blackheads by
causing oxidative stress on the skin and altering the composition of sebum.
7. Inadequate Skin Care: Soaps and water that is too hard can upset the natural
balance of the skin and exacerbate symptoms. Some skincare and makeup
products are also comedogenic (meaning they clog pores and cause blackheads).
To eliminate
blackheads, prevention is just as important as treatment. Therefore, here are
some best strategies both to reduce the risk of blackheads appearing and, once
they are there, to eliminate them effectively without damaging the skin.
Bursting them is prohibited.
1. LET THE SKIN BREATHES:
It is very important
that the skin is as free as possible, as this is how it manages to properly
drain the fat from the hair follicles, thus preventing the appearance of
blackheads. In this sense, it is important not to abuse makeup in the areas
where we have more blackhead problems. Never go to sleep with makeup still on the
face. Along these lines, you have to choose the healthiest make-up removers for
the skin.
2. WASH YOUR FACE PROPERLY:
Deep
washing of the face in the morning and at night is essential, as this way we
eliminate all those dirt that can contribute to the plugging of hair follicles.
It is best to wash it with warm water and a special soap depending on your skin
type. To cleanse your skin in the morning, you should use a water-based
cleansing gel, and if your skin is sensitive, you should choose a gentler
cleanser, such as a cleansing cream, in order to protect it. As for the
boys, they must take care of the moment of shaving using foams
for shaving softeners, antiseptic and antibacterial.
3. MOISTURIZE THE SKIN:
When
your skin is sufficiently hydrated and retains water, the hair follicles are
less likely to get clog. Hydration is essential, also for
oily skin, because it contributes to its balance and good skin health. But
not all creams are suitable. To eliminate blackheads, excess
sebum, and shine, you must apply a cleansing cream daily that is moisturizing,
non-comedogenic, and purifying, formulated with specific active ingredients.
Drinking enough water daily, between 2 and 3 liters a day is very important to
keep the skin appropriately hydrated.
4. USE SPECIAL MASKS:
To eliminate blackheads
when they have already formed, it is best to use special masks that allow their
extraction. These are applied to the skin and later removed. It is important to
choose a quality one, as they will have eliminated the fatty material from the
follicles without damaging our skin.
5. AVOID GREASY COSMETICS:
It
is very important to avoid all those cosmetics, gels, creams, soaps, etc., that
have a high content of fatty substances, as they can contribute to the problem.
It is enough to consult the label and select, preferably, those that are made
with water. Before going to sleep, removing make-up is mandatory,
so you should choose specific make-up removers and lotions according to your
skin type.
6. USE FACIAL SCRUB:
Depending on the sensitivity of your skin, you should
use a gentle exfoliating care. It is important that
this is not aggressive for the skin; use a facial scrub between one and two
times a week. The accumulation of sebum and dead cells that clog pores is in
effect at the origin of blackheads and other blemishes. It is, therefore, necessary to de-scale the skin regularly, but gently with the help of
appropriate exfoliating facial scrub and nourishing care. Use facial scrubs are
highly recommended to eliminate the remains of fat, impurities, and dead cells
that can cause the obstruction of the hair follicles. These purify the
epidermis, remove impurities, refine the horny layer, and help clearer skin.
Daily
grooming the skin, with moisturizer and purifying, plus regular nutrition will
allow you to eliminate blackheads and regain cleaner skin, simply and
effectively.
Comments