Blackheads Information - Symptoms And Herbal Home Treatment

Blackheads are technically referred to as open comedones. These bumps are often indented and may look like tiny plugs. The confusion over blackheads and whiteheads has to do with the fact that blackheads accompany oily skin where whiteheads could be present on oily or dry skin.

Blackhead Prevention

There are many things that you can do to prevent blackheads from appearing on your face. Most involve cleansing and some require the use of medications.

• Avoid using creamy, greasy, and thick (emollient) products. This alone will greatly lessen your chances of sprouting blackheads.
• Use a gentle and water-soluble cleanser.
• DO NOT use bar soap!!! The ingredients that hold soap in a bar form can clog the pores in your skin. They can also cause skin cells to flake off prematurely and clog the pores. If you have dry skin you will need to use a cleanser that has a bit of moisturizer in it, but be careful! The excess moisturizers can cause an increase in oil on your skin.
• Exfoliate to eliminate dead skin cells. If there are no skin cells to clog the pores, the natural oil is able to flow through freely. Exfoliation also removes the built up dead cells from inside the pores that cause them to become misshapen and more-easily clogged. Using an exfoliant that contains 1% or 2% beta hydroxy acids (BHA or Salicylic Acid) will penetrate the lining of the pore. If you are unable to use BHAs, you could use products containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), however these acids are only good for surface exfoliation because they do not penetrate the pore lining.
• Absorb excess oil. If you have oily skin, try using a clay mask that does not contain mint, peppermint or other irritating ingredients. This will absorb the oil that may clog the poor. If you have dry skin, this is not necessary because pimples on dry skin are caused by oil inside the pore, not on the surface of the skin. Also, oil-absorbing papers may help to reduce the oil in your pores.
• Visit your dermatologist. Retinoids, which are a form of Vitamin A, can help regulate the pore shape which will keep oil flowing normally. The most common retinoids are tretinoin and adapalene, found in prescriptions such as Avita, Renova, Retin-A, Tazorac, and Differin.
• Other medications. Hormone blockers and low-dose birth control pills can lower levels of androgens (the male hormone) and Accutane should be discussed with your physician in severe cases of oily skin and breakouts.

Herbal home remedies for the treatment of Blackheads

1. Use a mild scrub or exfoliant to remove any dead cells and expose the blackhead.
2. Pat your face dry.
3. Place a slightly warm compress on your face for approximately 10-15 minutes in order to soften the blackhead, making it easier to remove.
4. Pat your face dry again.
5. Place a piece of tissue on the tip of each finger to avoid slipping, which could tear the skin and cause further damage.
6. Gently apply even pressure to both sides of the blackhead by pushing down, then up around the blemish. You're trying to apply the pressure from *underneath* the blackhead.

PORE STRIPS: Using pore strips to remove blackheads is not recommended for many reasons:

• The warnings on the box tell you not to use them on swollen, irritated, sunburned skin; not to use them on excessively dry skin; and not to use them on any area other than the nose. Also, the warnings state that if the strip is too difficult to remove, you should add water and remove carefully.
• Removing the superficial blackheads, along with some healthy skin, will only help temporarily.
• Repeated use of pore strips can cause irritation and future breakouts.
• The adhesive on the strips can tear or injure the skin, especially if you are using an acne medication such as those listed above, or if you naturally have thin skin due to psoriasis, rosacea, or seborrhea.

Herbal home remedy for the treatment and cure of blackheads

• Simple home remedy for blackheads - Mix groundnut oil with an equal amtount of fresh lime juice and apply on face. leave for 10-15 minutes and wash. It may be applied daily to prevent formation of blackheads, acne and pimples.

• Good home remedy for blackheads - Mix one fourth cup of hot water and one teaspoonful of Epsom salt with 4 drops of iodine. Mix well and allow to cool. Dip a cotton ball and apply to the blackhead and surrounding areas. When mixture is dry gently remove with a clean cloth. This is one of the good and effective home remedies for blackheads.

• Effective home remedy for blackheads - Just apply toothpaste dry directly on to the problem area then let it stay on for at least 25 minutes. For the pimple...the top will dissapear but remeber to wash your face and hands after the pimple pops. When toothpaste is applied burning might happen but this is normal. The blackhead solution will take 2 weeks for 100% of the blackheads to dissapear.
• Natural home remedy for blackheads - Fresh mint juice is a very effective remedy for blackheads. Apply this fresh mint juice on the face every night for the treatment of blackheads.
• Herbal home remedy for blackheads - Take a pinch of soft portion of glycerin soap and mix with a pinch of table salt. Apply this mixture on the blackheads. Do it for about a week and see the magical results.
• Traditional natural home remedy for blackheads - Soak almonds in the water overnight. Peel them off in the morning and make a paste. Add honey to this paste and apply on the face. Scrub it off when dry or after 20 minutes. It removes the black heads and adds glow to the skin.
• Simple home remedy for blackheads - Use an oatmeal or almond mask thoroughly to cleanse your face. Mix either oatmeal or almond powder with enough rose water to make a soft paste that spreads easily on the skin. Rub it on your skin with your fingertips, paying special attention the problem areas. Leave to dry for about 15 minutes and then rinse off with cold water.This will prevent blackheads.
• Good home remedy for blackheads - Apply a mixture of 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder. Note that this remedy is not for sensitive skin. This is beneficial for the treatment of blackheads.

Natural home remedy for blackheads using witch hazel

Home face wash for acne: Mix together 1 or 2mls each of the following: witch hazel, tea-tree and sweet fennel essential oils, adding essential oil of geranium for women and essential oil of rosewood for men. Mix with 300mls of water. Shake before use, as the oils will float on top of the water during storage. Dab affected areas with cotton wool two or three times a day. The oils will clean and unclog giving antibiotic-like protection to the skin.