keep blackheads at bay
Posted on March 06, 2008Filed: Beauty
This is perhaps the most universally misunderstood
and mistreated condition. Many of us squeeze and tweeze whiteheads and
blackheads, making the pores even larger than they already are.
Squeezing causes trauma to your pores and makes them bigger...you are
kind of tearing your skin when you do this. All that bacteria and sebum
spreads into other areas or gets pushed deeper into the pore. If you
absolutely have to squeeze then you should do it VERY GENTLY when the
blackhead is about to or already coming out. Also, this is the prime
example of what using a wrong product can do to your skin. As
innovative and cool those pore strips seem, they actually worsen the
condition. They enlarge pores, making collection of
blackheads/whiteheads even easier and quicker. Continued use will
create visibly large pores that are prone to clogging, causing
whiteheads and blackheads. Switch to a gentle, non-drying exfoliating
mask instead to draw out impurities.Get Rid of Unsightly Blackheads
Blackheads are oily germ infested follicle plugs exposed to the air. The technical term for them is open comedones. The black appearance, from which they get their name, comes from their exposure to oxygen. The oxygen in the air combines with the exposed comedo (the plug clogging the pore), causing it to turn black.
What cause blackheads?
Well, the basic cause is the sebaceous gland overproducing sebum, skin oil. With the onset of puberty, hormones go haywire, and one particular hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) causes the oil glands to go into hyperdrive, causing clogging. Too much makeup, foundations, sunscreen oils, and excessive moisturizing contributes to the problem.
Good hygiene is important. Just make sure that you don’t overdo it by over-cleansing or scrubbing. Over-cleansing or scrubbing can stimulate the oil glands to produce more oil, and thus defeat your purpose…
How do you get rid of blackheads?
The key is cleaning regularly. Again, don’t overdo it.
Here are a few do’s and don’ts.
* Don’t squeeze
* Use a gentle cleanser and exfoliant
* Use cosmetics labeled noncomedogenic (which means it won’t clog your pores) and oil free
* Use oil-free moisturizers.
* Avoid too much sun
And here are a few home remedies for you to try.
* Take one tablespoon black pepper powder and add curd, enough to make thick paste. Apply the paste to the infected area and let it dry. Rinse after 5-7 minutes. Works like magic.
* Beat the white part of an egg. Add one teaspoon of honey. Using a cotton swab, apply the mixture to your face. Keep it on for 30 minutes and then rinse with warm water.
* Make a paste of ground radish seeds and water, and apply it to the blackhead. Leave the paste on for about 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Pretty effective.
* Apply paste of fresh fenugreek leaves mixed with water on the face every night and wash off with warm water in the morning to prevent blackheads.
