Acne Dysmorphia – Diagnosis and Treatment

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Shirley Peel

What is Acne Dysmorphia

Acne dysmorphia is not technically acne.  It is an obsessive psychological preoccupation a person has which is associated with their acne appearance and  eruptions which  can be extemely disabling if not treated. People suffering from this illness have an unrealistic opinion of how their acne looks to them and to others.  They believe they look  disfigured and ugly,  having opinions about themselves that are completely out of proportion with reality. They might isolate themselves from others, and in exteme cases, might even commit suicide.

Acne dysmorphia can be understood if you compare it to anorexia nervosa which have similar characteristics. People with anorexia nervosa are obsessed with a physical condition of their body which is their ideal weight. Those people suffering from acne dysmorphia become completely obsessed with a physical condition of their body which is having a clear complexion.

Symptoms of Acne Dysmorphia

People with this illness are constantly looking in the mirror checking on their face for blemishes, maybe hundreds of times a day. What might actually be a mild case of acne, someone with acne dysmorphia sees something entirely different, and they might pick at their perceived imperfections, tearing away their skin until they bleed.  Many times people with this illness are shy, causing them to isolate themselves from others including family and friends. They usually are depressed. A person with this condition would not readily seek medical help on their own.

Treating Dysmorphia

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help to resist the negative thought patterns that can disrupt a person's life.  This therapy can help reframe negative thoughts into positively affirmations. It is a complicated process that takes time to see progress. But it does work. It works for those with depression or other mental problems and it can work with people suffering from acne dysmorphia.

Habit Reversal is a behaviorally based treatment that is used to reduce repetitive and often self-harming behaviors.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) together with Hypnosis is another form of treatment that has been successful in treating acne dysmorphia.
 

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Folliculitis – Also Known as Scalp Acne

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Shirley Peel

What is Folliculitis

Scalp folliculitis is a condition in which the hair follicles become clogged and inflamed.  It is relatively common, but it is known by several names including scalp acne, Tinea Barbae, and Barber's Itch, Men and women of all ages are affected by it. .Although it is known as scalp acne, this condition can occur on any part of the body where hair follicles are present, which includes the face, arms, armpits and legs. 
 
How Does It Look

Most people are not aware of the appearance of scalp folliculitis, since usually appears on the scalp covered by hair.  Scalp folliculitis manifests itself as small pustules that are white-yellowish in color.  It usually looks ringed by narrow red circle-like blisters. Scalp folliculitis typically clogs the hair follicle, but hair can still grow through the pustules.  Many times, hair also grows right next to the area where the pustule resides on the hair follicle.  When picked at, pustules may ooze sebum or bloodstained pus.  In rare cases, scalp folliculitis may develop into boils or other skin infections.  Rarer still, bacteria may enter through the infected hair follicle and travel into the blood stream and invade the body.  

How is Folliculitis Diagnosed

If you notice that the area surrounding your hairline is consistently itchy, it may be a sign of scalp folliculitis.  Even if you only see a small amount of lesions, this could still be a sign of folliculitis.  Scalp folliculitis often infects only a small portion of the scalp. But, in severe cases, it may spread to many areas of the scalp.  Many people who suffer from scalp folliculitis may find that the infected areas are itchy and hard to keep from touching.  Once the infected areas have been scratched or continually touched,  they quickly become hard or crusted.  This, in turn, seems to cause you to want to scratch at them even more.

What Causes Scalp Folliculitis

It seems that scalp folliculitis begins in much the same way that acne does. Like acne, scalp folliculitis involves bacteria (and sometimes fungi) that become trapped in a pore.  In the case of scalp folliculitis, the bacteria propionibacterium acnes (commonly known as P. acnes) are the main culprits.  Another main contributor is the Staphylococcus bacterium, which is responsible for a variety of eye and nose infections, as well. Other contributing factors are yeasts and mites.  When bacteria invade a hair follicle and mixes with sebum, scalp folliculitis results.  

Many times, people develop scalp folliculitis when they enter a hot tub or other warm moist location that is not well chlorinated.  The environmental temperature causes the scalp to moisten and allows hair follicles to become more susceptible to infection.  Another potential cause of scalp folliculitis is the presence of ingrown hairs.  An ingrown hair can easily become a hotbed of bacterial activity.  Other contributing factors to the development of scalp acne include diabetes, excessive sweating, tight clothing, unsanitary conditions, exposure to heat and humidity, and other skin conditions like dermatitis and eczema.  

Flu  and lingering colds may also contribute to developing this condition.  Scalp folliculitis is contagious, and may be easily passed from one person to another. So, It is recommended that infected persons always use clean dry towels and avoid from sharing towels, combs, brushes, or other hair accessories.

Treatment for Folliculitis

Visit your doctor If you have a persistent case of scalp itchy scalp or become aware of lesions on your scalp, see your doctor.  Your doctor will take your medical history and try to determine if the infection is related to a bacteria or fungus.  Once this has been diagnosed, an appropriate treatment plan will be created.  Usually, treatment of folliculitis consists of treating the infection with an over the counter topical cream that is applied to the affected area daily.  The cream your doctor prescribes will most likely be antibiotic.  If the cream does not do the job, your doctor may also prescribe a broad-spectrum oral antibiotic.  Many common topical antibiotics that are used to treat scalp folliculitis include Bacitracin, Neomycin, and Mycitracin.  These are usually applied to the infected areas three to four times a day.  

*****

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Best Ways to Treat Acne

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Shirley Peel

Ways to Treat Acne – Getting Rid of Acne

Acne seems to be part of the lives of many adolescents which holds on and cannot be gotten rid of entirely.  But it can be controlled and the effects lessened.  Here are a some suggestions.

Exercise and Eat Healthy Food

Although the myth that fried foods and chocolate cause acne has been disproved, eating healthy, nutritious food helps the body and does strengthen the immune system.   Eating whole grains, vegetables, lean meats, fruits and limiting dairy products in your diet can help. Also, it might be a good idea to include a good quality vitamin and and mineral supplement as part of your daily diet.   Together with a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise should be part of this regime. Exercising at lease  three times a week will help improve health.  Avoiding smoking, alcohol and dangerous drugs is a given.  

Practice Good Personal Hygiene

It is important to practice good hygiene.  One of the causes of acne is a bacteria on and under the skin.  So, washing twice a day, using a specially formulated facial cleaser will help to limit bacteria  on the skin. Exfoliating with a mild exfoliate helps many people. This is an over the counter product that can be found at any pharmacy.

Use a hair style that keeps your hair away from your face. It is very important that you never squeeze a pimple, or blackhead.

Acne Treatment Using Over the Counter Medications

Next, consider using a topical antibiotic or antibacterial agent available in many medications and washes to help get rid off acne.  The good ones may contain benzoyl peroxide, the most common acne treatment available without a doctor's prescription.  It kills the bacteria, and resistence to the medication does not develop, which means the medication will not loose its effectiveness in fighting and killing bacteria. It is best to begin with a low concentration and work up.  Be sure when you buy it that it is non-comedogenic, which means that the medication will not clog the pores.  Tea tree oil is a popular natural remedy that works in much the same way Benzoyl peroxide, but is less irritating to the skin.

Another over the counter remedy that is popular is salicylic acid.  Salicylic acid unplugs the pores and helps to get rid of dead skin cells, which attract bacteria and make acne worse.  There are many good over the counter remedies available that contain salicylic acid and it is good to use it in conjunction with Benzoyl peroxide.   The two remedies work very well together.  Although sulfur works in many ways like benzoyl peroxide, but It is not as widely used since is does not seem to be quite as effective. However, if for some reason you cannot use tea tree oil or Benzoyl peroxide, the by all means give sulfur a try.

Glycolic acid is another ingredient that works.  It gets rid of dead skin and it stimulates the production of new cells, which many believe will help unclog pores.

Other Thereapies

Light therapy and acupuncture are two natural remedies that are used to treat acne.  Acupuncture usually involves changing diet and lifestyle as part of the cure. 

Light therapy is expensive. However, many people who have acne report that it has helped cure their acne.  This therepy involves treatments of light in wavelength that many believe kills bacteria.  If it doesn't work to cure the acne, at least  no harm has been done because light at the wavelength used is not harmful to skin.

Prescription Treatments for Acne

If these treatment measures do not make a visible difference in your acne condition, you might want to get a doctor's prescriptions for antibiotics that are known to be effective.  Erythromycin, benzaclin, duac, benzamycn, sodium sulfacetamide, and aazelic acid cream are some of the antibiotics prescribed in acne treatment, and they all work for many people.  Tetracycline and the related cycline drugs also kill the bacteria when taken orally.  

Some people outgrow acne when they get through puberty; of course, some do not.  But the good nutrition and hygiene habits you used to treat acne will benefit you for the rest of your life.

 

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Choosing Acne Treatment

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Shirley Peel

Choosing An Acne Treatment

You have your choice regarding which acne treatment you want, including medicinal creams and solutions, complete integrated systems, natural products, oral medications, or physical treatment,  as well as  mechanical and laser acne procedures.
 

Best Over-the-Counter Acne Medicines

Many of the acne treatments are over-the-counter types, One of the most widely used ingredients in non-prescription acne treatment medicine is benzoyl peroxide which is found in gels and ointments.  It works in treating acne by removing dead skin cells that accumulate on the skin.  It is also used to keep the skin free from the bacteria that causes acne.  It  has been used for many years and  found to be safe.  The main side effect of using it — whether for acne treatment or prevention — is that it can cause drying of the skin.

Other effective and popular  ingredients used  in acne treatments are salicylic acid, resorcinol and sulphur. Of all these medicines, research indicates that benzoyl peroxide is the most popular by a wide margin. Benzoyl peroxide can be found in  liquids and bars used for  cleansing  the skin as well as in lotions, creams and gels that are applied directly to the skin.

Acne Prescription Medications

Topical antibiotic medications containing clinamycin or erythromycin are prescribed by physicians to kill the bacteria causing the acne blemishes.  Since the topical use of these medicines do not have an effect on skin cell shedding or sebrum production, they are usually used with other prescription medications, such as other creams and lotions that normalize the skin shedding and decrease acne production.   Oral antibiotics like erythromycin, or tetracycline are also used in treating acne. Do not expect to see successful results from acne treatments right away. It usually takes many weeks before results can be seen.


Other Forms of Acne Treatment

Other forms of acne treatment include laser therapy,  light therapy, chemical peels and microdermabrasion.  Laser and light therapy are used to
reach the deeper layers of skin without harming the skin's surface. Chemical peels  and microdermabrasion are used in acne treatment where scarring has occurred.

 Meanwhile, use common sense methods for health and healthy skin, such as: 

  •  Drink fresh water throughout the day.
  •  Make fresh fruits and vegetable the mainstay in your daily diet.
  •  Avoid sugar and sugary drinks.
  •  Avoid fats and cooking with fats and oil.
  •  Avoid salty snacks, alcohol, tobacco, processed food, and caffeine.
  •  Get plenty of exercise every day.
  •  Do not sqeeze or pick at blackheads, whiteheads or othe blemishes or pimples.
  •  Wash face regularly with a mild facial cleansers twice a day, morning and night.


Research Acne Treatment

Research all of the many acne treatments available to you before making your final choice. People have many variations in their skin types, normal, sensitive, dry, combination, oily and more.  Also, the severity of the acne varies from one person to another.  Consult your skin care physician.  One acne treatment does not work for everyone.

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What Are Acne Blemishes

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Shirley Peel

Acne Blemishes

What Are Acne Blemishes

Acne blemishes are the marks that are left after the acne is dried. They appear as discolored spots or patches on the skin which are
usually the result of whiteheads, blackheads or pimples that were neglected, or treated improperly. Picking or squeezing these eruptions can lead to the formation of scars or blemishes on the skin.

The skin has many hundreds of oil glands, also known as sebacsous glands. These glands are found naturally in each hair follicle, functioning to lubricate the hair and skin with fatty oil.  It is only when more oil is produced than can be moved in a timely manner from the pores, that the pores become clogged and blackheads, whiteheads, or pimples result.  When a pore closes, whiteheads are the result. If the pore stays open, the top darkens causing a blackhead. If the eruption becomes inflamed, a pimple or pustule result.

Best Acne Blemish Treatments

For deep blemishes and scars, you might look to scar removal treatments and procedures such as microdermabrasion, laser therapy or chemical peeling or doctor prescribed ointments and creams.

If the scarring is mild, there are natural remedies that can reduce the pigmentation of blemishes:

1.  Apply lemon juice, a natural bleaching agent, to the affected area.  Leave it on for ten to fifteen minutes before rinsing it
off.  You should see gradual fading of discoloration over time.

2.  Try using aloe vera masks or creams found in markets and health food stores.  You can even use the gel from a home grown plant
once or twice a day with good results. The healing properties of aloe vera are widely well documented.

3.  Other home methods you might try include apple cider vinegar, and baking soda mixed with water.

4.  There are many acne blemish removal creams as well as bleaching creams on the market which can be used successfully on surface
scars and blemishes with good results.

Steps to Prevent Acne and Acne Blemishes

 1.  Eat a healthy diet every day, including fruits and vegetables.
 
 2.  Limit severely or avoid completely sugar, soft drinks, salty snacks, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, fried foods, and processed
foods.

 3.  Drink plenty of fresh water. Water helps flush toxins from your system.  A toxin free system is necessary for a clear, healthy completion.
 
 4.  Use specially formulated facial cleansers rather than soap on face.
 
 5.  Do not squeeze blackheads, whiteheads or pimples of any kind.

 6.  Exercise daily for health benefits.
 
 7.  Try to avoid stress in your life.

  8.   If you believe you need to use cosmetics, use those that are non-comedogenic, and are labeled as such. Avoid cosmetics that are oil based.

Once you know the what acne blemishes are, you will be better able to deal with them.

 

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Acne Rosacea — Treatment For Rosacea

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Shirley Peel

Acne Rosacea — Treatment For Rosacea

What is Acne Rosacea

Although there are similarities between acne and acne rosacea, they are, in fact, very different. Acne is a common skin condition that is first seen usually during the hormonal changes that accompany adolescence and is characterized by the appearance of whiteheads and blackheads which can appear on the face, scalp, or back of people who have it. Rosacea, as a rule, confines its outbreaks to various areas of the face, and  rarely has its onset after the age of 50 or before 30. Although skin eruptions are associated with acne rosacea, they are pimples rather than the blackheads or whiteheads seen in acne vulgaris.

Causes  and Symptoms of Acne Rosacea

The cause of this disease is unknown. The first symptoms seen in rosacea are papules and  pustules which are small, raised bumps with a yellow top and a red rim. There arealso characteristic minute dilated blood vessels just under the skin’s surface. These lesions affect the skin’s color causing it to become a bright red. As the condition recurs and progresses, the color deepens and sometimes becomes permanent. Men seem to have the severe form of this disease more often than women.

The over-growth of the sebaceous glands on the nose leads to thickening of the skin and an enlargement of the nose known as rhinophyma. This large, bulbous nose is most recognizable, and is the most defining sign invariably associated with acne rosacea. Other complaints in rosacea center around itching which is always present as well as pain which comes with the flushing episodes. Rosacea is most often seen in women, but men have the most severe cases and develop the bulbous nose.

Treatment for Rosacea

Anyone who has rosacea should minimize their flushing by avoiding things that cause the blood vessels to open up such as extreme temperature changes and exposure to sun. Also, spicy food, hot drinks and alcohol should be avoided.  Stress is another causative factor in some people. Since the cause of the disease is not known as of today, there is no cure. But, there are successful treatments for this condition.

Topical and oral antibiotics to control the eruptions are the best ways to treat acne rosacea. Antibiotics used presently include tetracycline, doxycycline and metronidazole. Topical applications of metronidazole decrease any redness and the number of pustules, but is certainly not a cure.  Although side effects are rare,they can be seen as increased redness, and irritation or stinging of the skin. There are many antibiotics that should not be used during pregnancy since they affect the unborn child adversely. So be sure to check with your doctor before taking medications when you are pregnant.

Treating rosacea with laser has proven to be successful. This method of treatment can be successful in removing deep scarring  and other types of skin damage. Laser is also used to eradicate the small blood vessels which are seen in this disease.  Consult your doctor about surgery to remove the excess thickened nose tissue. Complications associated with acne rosacea are not seen very often. However, in some
cases inflammation of the eyelashes or outer surface of the eyes occur  which can result in impaired vision if not treated properly.

Acne rosacea is not a condition that threatens life, but in severe cases, it can be disfiguring and cause all kinds of emotional and psychosomatic distress. Symptoms such as deep depression, loss of appetite and sleep over a period of time should never be overlooked, and  professional consultation  and treatment for rosacea should be sought.

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Treating Acne

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Shirley Peel

Treating Acne

Although acne is not considered a life-threatening condition,its effects can become quite severe. Treating acne in a timely manner
is important to prevent its spreading into other complications.
 
Acne Treatment Methods

Most Commonly Used Acne Treatments

1.  Retin-A, derived from vitamin A,  is a common topical acne treatment product. It acts by increasing cell turnover and releasing
 plugs from the hair follicles. It is well known for improving the general appearance and texture of the acne affected skin areas and lessening
 wrinkles. Retin-A is an acne treatment product prescribed by doctors  and should only be used only under a doctor's supervision. Over the    
  counter  cosmetics contain only minute amounts of Retin-A.
    
2.  Benzoyl peroxide is an over-the-counter acne treatment product which causes the skin to peel, altering the skin fats and bacteria. It is very
useful and often is sufficient for mild cases of acne.

3.  Tretinoin is a prescription acne treatment product which also contains Vitamin A and alters the growth of oil glands. It is usually applied once
a day to dry up existing pimples and prevent more from forming.

4.  Tetracyline is an antibiotic that can be taken over an extended period for treating acne without causing side effects. It does cause increased
sensitivity to sunlight, so appropriate precautions should be taken. Tetracycline has been found to be associated with birth defects and should not be taken during pregnancy.

5.  Accutane is a synthetic acne treatment product which is a derivative of Vitamin A. It is very powerful, and in some cases will eliminate the acne problem. But it can also cause side effects such as itching, headaches, muscle pain and hair loss. It is not to be taken by pregnant women because it, too, can cause birth defects.
 
Physical Acne Treatments
 
1.  Exfoliation is an acne treatment that removes the top layer of skin chemically or by using abrasion. Agents used in this procedure are salicylic acid or glycolic acid, both of which destroy a microscopic layer of skin cells to uplug pores and remove dead cell build up. Glycolic acid treatments can be done every 2-4 weeks over a six-month period. Salicylic acid treatments are milder and are often found in over-the-counter medications. They can be used daily, but precautions and instructions spelled out on the label pertaining to acne treatment should be closely followed.

2.  Extraction – This is an acne treatment in which comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) are removed by a dermatologist. The procedure includes anesthetizing the skin using a topical application, followed by removing the plugged skin cells and sebrum with a sterile pen-like instrument. An antibiotic cream is applied to the lesion after the procedure to lessen the chance of infection. This is an acne treatment procedure that should only be done by a qualified dermatologist.

3. Drainage – This is an acne treatment used in severe cases only. Severe acne sometimes causes cysts to form under the skin which are very painful and disfiguring. Small cysts are treated with cortisone injections which flatten the lesions within a day or so. Large cysts usually have to be drained in a dermatologist's office under sterile conditions. Acne treatments using drainage assist in relieving the pain associated with cysts as well as reduce chances of scarring.

Qualified doctors or skin specialist are the best professionals to consult about treating acne, and which one is best for you.
 

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Back Acne

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Shirley Peel

What is Back Acne

Lots of people, mostly men, are plagued with acne pimples of the back, which is commonly known as “bacne.” Back acne treatment is quite specific and can be rewarding.

The back contains hundreds and hundreds of sebaceous (oil) glands, which is the perfect environment for back acne to take hold and flourish when they become clogged. These sebaceous glands are found in each hair follicle, and their function is to lubricate hair and skin with a fatty oil called sebum. In back acne, the sebum and dead cells are produced much faster than they can move from the pores, thereby setting up the conditions for bacne.

At this point, either a whitehead or a blackhead forms. Whiteheads are the result of a pore closing off. If the pore stays open, the top darkens causing a blackhead. Some people have he mistaken idea that blackheads are caused by or colored by dirt. Both of these kinds of acne eruptions are seen in back acne. A variety of types of acne pimples are found in back acne including whiteheads, blackheads, surface type pustules or papules which are deeper. As in other types of acne, back acne can form deep in the skin and cause cysts.

Back Acne Treatment

Because the skin on the back is much thicker than skin covering others parts of the body, the treatment for back acne is different than that used for the face.

To control and eradicate back acne, the back must be kept clean by bathing or showering frequently. It is extremely important to shower or bathe after working out. Use a cleansing product that has salicylic or glycolic acid as one of its ingredients. Ideally the back area should be gently scrubbed with a loofah to remove the dead skin of back acne. This process is known as exfoliating, and should be thorough but very, very gentle.

After cleansing, dry the skin and apply a topical lotion, ointment or cream that contains benzoyl peroxide to the areas where the back acne is located. Allow the medicine to absorb completely so you wont stain your clothes.

Also, take care that you apply the medication to the back acne pimples only, and not the entire back. Since most back acne medications cause some drying of the skin, be diligent in observing the healing progress that your back acne because you would not want the skin on your back to become excessively dry. This would require moisturizing which could trigger more back acne. It could become a vicious cycle that you would not want to get into. It might be necessary to have someone apply the medicine to your back acne for you to be sure it is done properly.

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Acne Skin Care

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Shirley Peel

Daily Acne Skin Care Tips and Suggestions

Skin that is prone to acne requires specific acne skin care on a daily basis to combat the appearance of acne pimples and maintain the health of your skin. The attention you give to your skin every day can be the difference in whether your regimen is simple and basic or if severe measures should to be undertaken.

To keep acne pimples at bay, be sure you maintain clean, healthy skin, being sure to protect your skin from sun and never use chemical-laden products.

Some of the most important Steps in in caring for acne prone skin are:

1. Use a mild soap-free facial cleanser at least once or twice a day. If your skin is excessively oily, cleansing three times a day as part of your skin care routine is not excessive. Acne skin requires thorough but gentle cleansing. Don’t ever be harsh with your skin when you wash which could cause aggravation to the condition.

2. Moisten the skin first (preferably with a white wash cloth) and apply the cleanser liberally. Rinse with plenty of water and pat gently with a soft white towel to dry. Using an alcohol-free toner on the oiliest areas of your face rather than an astringent is preferred by most dermatologists. If you feel you must use an astringent, use it only occasionally on the parts of your skin which are the oiliest. If you notice any adverse changes in the appearance or feeling of your skin, stop using the astringent, and see your dermatologist if the condition doesn’t clear up or worsens.

3. Shampoo hair two to three times a week. Extremely oily hair may need to be washed on a daily basis. To combat acne problems, choose a hair style which keeps your hair out of your face.

4. Avoid being exposed to the sun which could cause acne prone skin to flare-up. If you must be in the sun, wear a sun screen. Many acne medications cause the skin to be ultra sensitive to the sun and therefore more likely to burn. Skin in general and acne skin in particular should always be protected from the sun to prevent damage that could cause premature or excessive wrinkling and even skin cancer.

5. Make-up should be avoided. Using make-up could aggravate skin that is susceptible to acne blemishes. If you do decide to occasionally use make-up, the non-oil based kind is best since it is less likely to precipitate acne flare-ups. Make it a practice to read all cosmetic labels carefully, and avoid all oil based make-ups which will invariably worsen any acne skin problems.

If you do decide to use make-up, be extremely diligent about your bedtime skin care regime. Thoroughly, but gently, wash off all traces of make-up each night before retiring. Use a mild facial cleanser and rinse very well with fresh, warm water.

6. If you must shave, make sure the blades are sharp. Soften your beard with water and shaving creams as much as possibly can. Shave around any acne blemishes you have (rather than over them)to avoid piercing them in any way.

7. Be sure you don’t make squeezing pimples a part of your daily acne skin care routine. You run the risk of setting up an infection, which can make a bad problem worse. Also, “popping pimples” can lead to permanent scarring.

8. Lastly, consciously keep your hands away from your face, especially if you have ever had problems with acne. Your hands are carriers of germs that don’t need to contact skin that is already vulnerable.

Be assured, acne can be controlled. You must take all necessary steps to practice good basic acne skin care routines.

If you are ever in doubt, consult your dermatologist about the acne skin care methods that work best for you.

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Getting Rid of Blackheads

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Shirley Peel

Getting Rid of Blackheads

Generally, getting rid of blackheads happens naturally since most people outgrow their tendency to harbor blackheads as their bodies change and puberty ends. So, by the time most of us reach our twenties, we are no longer fighting blackheads.

What are blackheads

Blackheads are formed when the skin's sebaceous glands pump oils known as sebum (along with dead cells) through your pores faster than they can exit from a pore. A solid plug called a whitehead forms. However, if the pore stays open, the surface of the plug darkens becoming what is known as a blackhead. People with oily skin are the ones most prone to having blackheads.

Treating Blackheads

You can extract blackheads yourself as long as there is no signs of infection on or surrounding the blemish, such as redness or warmth. If you do decide to extract your blackheads yourself, always use sterile materials in the procedure. Also make sure the entire environment in which you are working is extremely clean. Skin experts suggest using the following procedure:

1. Steam your face for several minutes to loosen the pores and make the extraction process easier to do. The best way to steam your face is to place your face over a bowl of very hot water, holding a towel over your head to keep in the steam. This will loosen the pores and make the extraction process less painful. Of course you should be careful not to scald yourself.

2. It is preferable to use a flat blackhead remover, or a comedone extractor to remove blackheads. You can find this product at any beauty store.

As I mentioned before, you should never attempt to extract aggravated, inflamed or infected acne lesions since this will worsen the acne and can cause scarring.

If you are unsure of your ability to extract blackheads, it is recommended that you visit a professional. Aestheticians and dermatologists can offer deep cleansing facial treatments designed to keep skin clear of blackhead or white heads. The cost of these getting rid of blackhead treatments may be a little high for your budget, but most people who do get this done are happy with the results and feel it is well worth the expense.

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