Though blackheads are a common form of acne and can affect anyone, studies show that Blacks can be more prone to them than other ethnicities. The problem seems to affect women more than men as well. The good thing is that it’s perfectly possible to get rid of blackheads and prevent them from coming back.
What Are Blackheads?
Blackheads are a type of acne that’s caused by the accumulation of oil, debris, and dead skin cells. It’s more likely to affect people with oily skin and can be found where you produce a lot of oil such as on the nose.
What Causes Blackheads?
While blackheads are typically a result of excess oil and dead skin cells, their cause can be more complex depending on where they form.
Generally, your skin secretes oil from its sebaceous glands and many of these are connected to your hair follicles. When one of these glands or follicles becomes inflamed, a blackhead is likely to form.
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Factors like too much oil production, the abnormal presence of the protein, keratin, higher levels of androgen, and increased bacteria on the skin can also cause blackheads to form.
Whiteheads vs Blackheads
The main difference between whiteheads and blackheads is their structure. Blackheads are open comedones while whiteheads are closed and have a thin layer of skin over them. Additionally, whiteheads are generally regarded as an inflammatory form of acne and blackheads are not.
RELATED: Q&A: What’s The Best Way To Get Rid Of Blackheads For Oily Skin?
How Do Blackheads Form?
When oil, debris, and dead skin cells collect in your pores, the result is a blackhead. This type of acne gets its characteristic dark color from oxidation. Since the pore remains open, the plug that forms from the combination of excess oil and skin becomes discolored.
Do Blackheads Go Away On Their Own?
It’s possible for blackheads to go away on their own if they’re close to the surface of your skin. Some blackheads go a little deeper and are likely to get worse if left untreated.
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It might be tempting to try and squeeze them but that usually only results in scarring. You also run the risk of
