It's a common myth that dirt or unclean skin causes blackheads. Blackheads are most prevalent in the in the T-zone, where these baceous glands are extremely active, but can show up anywhere on the face. They can turn into a full-blown acne lesion if they become inflamed or exposed to bacteria.
Unfortunately, blackheads are very hard to prevent because of skin's constant sebum production and cell turnover. Washing with a salicylic acid cleanser will temporarily remove pore-clogging debris and surface oil.
Alpha hydroxy acids are also a good first line of defense; they gently exfoliate skin to prevent cells from building up and clogging pores. Pore strips are also a good temporary solution. They help dislodge debris, but have a couple of drawbacks. Pore strips don't prevent further blackheads from forming and the adhesive can irritate sensitive skin when the strip is pulled off. Don't pick at blackheads or try to squeeze them with your fingers. You run the risk of infecting them and injuring your skin.
A peel will quickly slough off dead skin cells while removing some of the debris from pores. Five or six peels are recommended but results can usually be seen after the second peel. An at-home regimen of salicylic and glycolic acid skincare products is often used to maintain the benefits.
There is no permanent solution for getting rid of blackheads, but a consistent skincare routine can help keep them under control.
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