BLACKHEADS: BATTLING BREAKOUTS
Understanding why pores turn into blackheads on the skin continues to be a mystery of life and a frustrating part for those trying to love their skin. There isn’t much to love about those little spots that look anything but healthy.
Blackheads form when your pores’ opening becomes clogged with sebum, meaning that dead skin cells and oils collect in the pore. If that pore doesn’t get covered by the skin, the air exposure causes it to oxidize, resulting in turning black.
They can last weeks or months and love to hang around far longer than acne pimples or other imperfections on the skin.
Those nasty black imperfections on the skin are tempting to dig out and squeeze. Often that can be gratifying, but rarely is it beneficial. Squeezing or digging at your blackheads can traumatize your skin and lead to scarring or hyperpigmentation. Using your nails to pick or scratch at those black spots can puncture the skin and puts them at risk of permanently leaving their mark in a scar fashion. The goal is to clear the pores and there are far less destructive ways to accomplish that.
The safest way to battle the Blackhead breakout is to follow a disciplined daily skincare routine using medical-grade products. This is also the best way to prevent blackheads in the future. The goal is to address the pores and keep them from the clogging that results in blackhead breakouts.
Cleanse: Washing your face morning and night is essential to set up your skin for successful clearing. It may be tempting to scrub the blackhead right off your face, but being gentle by using a mild cleanser and a soft face cloth is your best bet.
Exfoliate: Removing the dead skin cells will allow your pores to open and become ready for the good and healthy steps to follow.
Boost Vitamin C: One of the best brightening ingredients for skincare is Vitamin C. Using an antioxidant like Vitamin C keeps the oil of the blackhead from turning black during oxidation.
Moisturize: It feels great to finish your skincare routine (of course, do not forget SPF) with a moisturizing formation that suits your skin type or condition. You need some oil to treat your skin, but skipping moisture can backfire for your blackhead issue. You can find a moisturizer that targets your specific goals. When you moisturize your skin with a medical-grade product, it becomes instantly healthier because it blocks entry points through that outer barrier. External elements that get in to cause acne can be so quickly stopped it you keep your skin healthy and your whole body protected.
Retinol: If you want to remove dead skin cells and lower the chance of your pores clogging up, a topical retinoid can be very effective. Retinols are powerful but highly effective and must be highly respected to follow as directed. A very thin layer with a planned routine for usage will exfoliate your skin, unclog pores, reduce oiliness, resulting in the treatment and prevention of blackheads. Speak to your trusted aesthetic professional about how to get started on a medical-grade retinol product that will work for you.
To directly target your blackhead issue, you can try a pore strip or a chemical peel to fast-track your results. If you are ready to address your Breakout Battle with a plan to win, reach out. We would love to help you win the battle!
