GUWAHATI: Blackheads— a common skin condition most people face. Are you worried about your blackheads?
Before knowing the ways to remove the blackheads, let’s understand what a blackhead is.
Blackheads are a type of mild acne caused due to clogged hair follicles. When a clog develops in the opening of hair follicles in the skin; it forms a bump called a whitehead.
If the skin over the bump opens, the clog darkens due to exposure to the air, thus becoming a blackhead.
People with oily skin are more prone to blackheads.
Buildup of bacteria on the skin, irritation of hair follicles resulting from dead skins cells buildup, hormonal changes, and taking birth control pills or certain drugs are some of the reasons for blackheads.
But blackheads can be removed at home easily.
In an article published in Femina.in, Kalwyna Rathod tells the readers some easy steps to remove blackheads.
Rathod writes:
- Pore strips
Pore strips are made with adhesive and come in several shapes and sizes for different parts of the face. You can use them to remove blackheads, dead skin, and hair. Follow instructions on the package on how to remove blackheads at home; mostly, the application involves applying the sticky part to the face, leaving on for 10-15 minutes, and peeling away the pore strip slowly. Be sure to rinse away any residue. Use pore strips only once a week; avoid using if you have sensitive skin or skin allergies.
- Activated charcoal
Activated charcoal offers benefits like removing dirt and toxins from pores. You can use any commercially available cleanser, scrub, or face mask that has activated charcoal as an ingredient. Again, follow instructions on how to remove blackheads at home.
- Steaming and manual extraction
Extracting blackheads at home can damage pores and lead to breakouts, so be extremely careful and gentle on your skin. Start with steaming to open the skin pores and loosen the gunk inside them. How to remove blackheads at home with steaming? Simply boil enough water and let it cool for a couple of minutes. Fill the water in a bowl and place on a sturdy surface. Sit in front of the bowl with your face resting about six inches above it. Drape a towel or sheet over your head and the bowl to keep the steam in. Stay in there for up to 10 minutes.
Next, use a blackhead extractor tool that has been sterilised with rubbing alcohol. Press the loop face-down on the pore you want to clear and make a gentle sweeping motion to the side. Repeat this motion a couple of times if the plug doesn’t come out the first time. Don’t overdo it or you’ll damage the skin. Sterilise the extractor tool between uses to avoid transferring dirt and bacteria between the pores. Never use your fingernails to pry out blackheads.
Read the full article here: FEMINA
Photo: Amazon.com
