Acne is the most common condition that doctors treat on a daily basis. It can effect anyone from teenagers to people in their older years, and can be caused by many factors. There are also many specific types of acne. One very common type is the blackhead. Blackheads are considered "open comedones", and whiteheads are "closed comedones". These usually show up primarily on the nose, chin or forehead but can also be on other parts of the face. Either can cause your skin to be undesirably rough and bumpy.
Blackheads are one of the few types of acne that may be caused by skin hygiene and will never go away on their own. Cleaning your face regularly will prevent most blackheads altogether. They are caused by follicles that have a wider opening than normal. These openings fill with oil and dead cells that have undergone a chemical reaction that caused the oxidation of melanin, which causes the black coloration. To prevent them from forming, it is necessary to consistently wash your face twice a day with a mild soap or face scrub to get rid of the excess oil and dead cells.
The most commonly used treatment is called tretonoin, and can be found in medicines called Retin-A, and Avita. It is derived from Vitamin A and works by increasing the cell turnover and un-sticking the sloughed cells. This causes the plugged material to be removed so that the skin can heal. The downside to this medicine is that it can be irritating to most people's skin. Another method of extrusion of a blackhead is done by a doctor. They have a tool called a "comedone extractor" that clears them one at a time so that it can heal.
Home remedies have also been experimented with to get rid of blackheads. These are not proven, as they are not tested by any professional doctor. However, if any of them work on your skin, then you have found a cheap and easy way to clear up your skin on your own.
Try warming honey and applying it to the spots that you have. Wash it off with warm water after 15 minutes.
Use an oatmeal mask. Mix oatmeal and rose water into a soft, spreadable paste, and then gently massage onto your skin. Leave it until it is completely dried for 15 minutes and then rinse with cold water.
Dilute lemon juice and apply at least 3 times a day to the affected area. Repeat everyday until they completely disappear.
Squeezing blackheads, just as with any acne, is not recommended because it can make the problem worse. However, if you choose to use a blackhead remover at home, you should open your pores first. This can be done by taking a hot shower and letting the steam open your pores. You could also pat your face with a hot towel or hang your head over a pot of boiled water. Be cautious because there is a chance that doing this wrong will result in a bad steam burn..