So What Is A Blackhead - Lets Have A Look !

Everyone knows the answer to this question what is a blackhead but do you know what the medical term for blackheads is. These annoying little creatures are called an open comedo, and because they have a wide opening on the surface of the skin, that’s what allows them to become what we all know as a blackhead. Because debris collects in this open skin pore (open comedo) if forms a dark coloured cap over the pore hence the name blackhead. In contrast to this, what we know as a whitehead is also a comedo but it’s not open, it’s blocked which then means it gets infected and inflamed forming what everyone knows as a whitehead.

Generally speaking acne and blackheads first start to become a problem when we reach puberty. Errr this age can be such a challenge and I sometimes wish we could bypass it all together! It’s the time when both boys and girls produce a male hormone from their adrenal glands. Yes that’s right girls produce this male hormone too go figure! The skin has lots of sebaceous glands which produce oil for the lubrication and protection of our skin.

This oil is needed and does an amazing job but unfortunately if it over produces then this oil can start to cause all sorts of problems. So why does the sebaceous gland over produce? Yes you guessed it that good old male hormone pops up and starts to boss about the sebaceous glands oil production. If only those male hormones would keep themselves to themselves! And because this oil is being over produced it then builds up under the skin and allows bacteria to feast on it which they absolutely love. Their feeding sessions mean that they multiply and this in turn creates inflammation and infection, hay presto blackheads and spots!

So what is a blackhead then? Well a blackhead is formed differently to a whitehead because the skin pore has an opening which when oxidized by the surrounding air flow creates a dark coloured plug. Were as a whitehead has a blocked off skin pore which creates inflammation and infection under the skin which can rupture.

Nowhere is safe from blackheads and spots but they are more common in certain areas of the body. When we refer just to blackheads then the most common area is around the nose and chin.

Now we properly understand what is a blackhead let’s have a look at the safest way to remove them allowing minimal damage to your skin.

Everyone squeezes their blackheads because they don’t like the look of them but that isn’t the best and safest way to remove them. I understand that you can’t bare them so if you’re going to squeeze them please try and use this method it will help you minimize damage and infection to your skin.

Grab a big bowl and have a towel at the ready. Boil the kettle and pour the hot water into the bowl. Pop the towel over your head and then lean over the bowl covering it with the towel to trap in the steam. Be careful you don’t burn your face as this water will be extremely hot at first. Allow it to get to the right temperature and keep your head over the steam for approximately 10 minutes. Once you have done this wash your hands clean and then using your fingers gently squeeze out your blackheads.

The reason this is a lot better than just squeezing them out cold is because the steam will penetrate the skin pores and open them up which will make it heaps easier for you to remove the blackheads without doing further damage. Use this method whenever you remove your blackheads and I guarantee you will have a better looking skin. I hope that helps you see what is a blackhead and how you can eliminate them safely.