There are various types of Acne. Categorizing them in their most simple form, there are the red colored bumps and then there are whiteheads and blackheads. Both whitehead and blackhead are also referred to as comedones. Other than color, a blackhead is an open comedone while a whitehead is also known as a closed comedone. A comedone are plugs made up of dead skin cells and oils found close to the top of a pore.

Dead skin, bacteria, and oil from the glands located in the skin are the main ingredients in acne. When a plug is formed and the opening of the pore is open, the appearance of the plug turns blackish due to oxidation. This is how a blackhead is formed. On the other hand, if the pore is closed, the acne is known as a whitehead and the material that forms the plug retains its whitish color.

A daily routine of cleansing is important to managing acne, especially for those with blackhead prone skin. A consistent and habitual practice of cleaning skin helps in the control of blackheads. Most physicians recommend using a mild cleanser once to twice a day depending on the amount of blackheads. Blackheads are not the result of eating certain foods thus going on a diet will not likely help. Dirty skin is not necessarily the cause of blackheads either therefore, excessive scrubbing is not advisable. In fact, excess scrubbing can cause skin irritation and increase the amount of dead skin. It is recommended that people suffering from blackheads should avoid using cosmetics that are oil based. Many cosmetic brands carry non-comedogenic, water based make-up which is more ideal.

There are various treatments that are available for those people suffering from blackheads. Treatment can take time thus don’t expect any overnight solutions. Listed below are commonly used treatments for blackheads.

Benzoyl Peroxide – This solution acts as an anti-bacterial and prevents the formation of plugs or comedones. They are used as a mild cleaning agent and are known to prevent the spread of blackheads. This is also common in acne products and great for treating small places like acne on the forehead.

Tretinoin – derived from Vitamin A, this is the most commonly used treatment of blackheads. Tretinoin causes an increase in cell generation. When new cells are generated, it forces out plugged materials resulting in pores returning to their normal state. The application can, in some cases be irritating to the skin, thus the application must be made carefully and following specific instructions.

Extraction – This is another common treatment for blackheads and is used by a trained professional. A metal extractor is used to push down the skin around the blackhead, forcing the plug and the material to extrude from the pore.

Blackheads can be managed and treated quite easily. However, consult a physician if your case is severe.