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Blackheads and whiteheads, also known as comedones, are caused by blocked hair follicles due to dead skin cells and sebum. Exfoliation and astringents can help reduce them, but stubborn cases may require medication. They are most common on the face, neck, and chest, and affect about 85% of teenagers.
Blackheads are the result of hair follicles blocked by skin cells and a material called sebum, which is naturally secreted by sebaceous glands. Sebum is excreted in much greater quantities as children reach their teenage years, resulting in pimples, blackheads, and red-colored pimples. These blockages are very similar to pimples, but the main difference is that the follicles involved are larger and remain open.
When an open pore is blocked by dead skin cells and sebum, this material is exposed to air and begins to oxidize. This causes the material to discolor and turn black, resulting in black spots. Whiteheads, on the other hand, are covered with a small amount of skin that prevents this oxidation, so they remain white in color.
Both blackheads and whiteheads are also called comedones, which are essentially hair follicle plugs. They are also called open comedones respectively closed comedones. They tend to be most prevalent on the skin of the face, neck and chest, although technically any place where you have hair follicles can produce these blemishes.
Using a good exfoliator, which helps clean dead skin material from pores, can often reduce the number of blackheads. Additionally, an astringent can help reduce the oil excreted from pores, which tends to clog skin material and form these annoying plugs. Most dermatologists recommend that blockages be removed by a professional, as improper removal can lead to skin scarring. Over time, however, most people can remove them simply through the use of daily exfoliation and the daily application of astringents.
As with all pimples, some blackheads are stubborn and may not respond to medications or over-the-counter treatments. In these cases, dermatologists may prescribe medications that help remove dead skin so fewer plugs form. Teens and adults who have some blackheads are certainly not alone. About 85% of teenagers suffer from one form of acne or another.
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