What are Blackheads?

What are blackheads? Blackheads are the form of acne, which are known as open comedo, and are present in the form of black or yellow bumps on an individual’s skin. People believe that blackheads occur due to poor hygiene. However, this is not true. In reality, blackheads occur due to the excess production of oil on the skin of an individual.

When there is excess accumulation of oil in the duct of sebaceous gland, there is occurrence of blackheads. Blackheads are often seen occurring in the hair follicles that are blocked. Light is reflected irregularly on the blackheads, thus producing black hue. The blockage appears to be yellow instead of black due to the presence of melanin content in the blackheads.

Blackheads are found in the form of black ugly spots on the ears, nose, back and chin. Blackheads are unsightly in nature and occur in the form of clusters. The formation of blackheads occurs in the pores of skin which are partially blocked. Blackheads are the result of skin eruptions due to the excess production of sebum, oil and bacteria on the skin’s surface. The excess sebum and excess oil in the skin are produced by the sebaceous glands, which gives rise to the blackheads.

It is not necessary to remove blackheads in most of the cases as the body itself performs the function of removing the blackheads. However, in certain severe cases of blackheads, it may be required to take treatment of acne to get rid of the blackheads, as blackheads are a form of acne.

Exfoliants and salicylic acid may be used as treatments for curing blackheads. One may also use the blackhead remover strip to remove the blackheads from the skin.  The strip comes in the form of tape and is stuck on the nose. It is removed from the nose after around ten minutes, thus removing the blackheads which are below the strip. Severe cases of blackheads may be treated with the help of oral medication.