Blackheads or whiteheads – what’s the difference? A blog around the science and myths behind blackheads.


Blackheads or whiteheads – what’s the difference? A blog around the science and myths behind blackheads.

So, what’s a blackhead?

If you’re new to this whole skin care thing, you might not know much about blackheads – let alone how to treat them! I’ve come up with this quick guide to help you find out more about blackheads, how to treat them and when to pay attention. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, blackheads are formed when a pore is clogged with dead skin cells or sebum (an oily substance). They’re called “blackheads” because the surface of the pore looks dark or black. That’s due to oxidation, which turns the plug of skin a darker color than the rest of your skin. … Blackhead treatment products work best if they include salicylic acid (BHA) and benzoyl peroxide. These ingredients help unclog pores and kill acne-causing bacteria.

Blackhead or whitehead?

The aim of this blog is to separate the myths from science around blackheads.

Blackheads, also known as open comedones, are a form of acne. They are caused when pores become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Unlike whiteheads, blackheads are not covered and so the oil reacts with air and turns black. Oily skin is more prone to getting blackheads.

Other types of acne include papules (small red lumps), pustules (larger pimples), cysts and nodules (deep painful lumps).

Treating blackheads

Blackheads can be removed by a dermatologist or beautician using various techniques. It is not recommended that you attempt to remove them at home as this may lead to infection. To prevent further breakouts, keep your skin clean but avoid over-washing and scrubbing as this will only irritate your skin and make matters worse.

Most people are familiar with blackheads. Blackheads are also known as open comedones, and occur when a pore is clogged with sebum (oil), dead skin cells, and bacteria. The black or dark color of a blackhead comes from the oxidization of melanin, the same chemical that gives skin its natural color.

Whiteheads are referred to as closed comedones and occur when the pore remains closed at the surface of your skin. At this point, sebum and dead skin cells remain inside the clogged pore. The white color of a whitehead is due to trapped sebum under the surface of your skin. There is no difference in the composition of a whitehead compared to a blackhead; what’s different is simply whether or not air has reached inside the clogged pore.

Blackheads are small bumps that appear on your skin due to clogged hair follicles. These bumps are called “blackheads” because the surface looks dark or black. Blackhead is due to oxidation, which happens when your pores become clogged with oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. A blackhead may look like dirt stuck in pores. But, this is not the case! The color of a blackhead is not due to dirt. If you were to squeeze a blackhead, the material that comes out is yellowish or whitish in color.

So what causes blackheads? The answer lies in your face wash and how well you exfoliate your face. If you have been using harsh cleansers, or if you don’t use one at all, it can cause an overproduction of sebum (oil) from the sebaceous glands, which results in clogged pores and blackheads. Also, dry skin can cause this problem as it tends to produce more oil than usual to compensate for the lack of moisture on your skin’s surface.

Blackheads can be treated by using products that contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. However, these products can be irritating to some people so they should be used with caution

Blackheads are a form of acne that occurs when pores get clogged with dead skin cells, bacteria and excess oils. They also contain melanin, which is the pigment that gives them their dark color. Blackheads usually appear on the face, especially around the nose and chin.

Whiteheads are formed in the same way as blackheads, but they don’t oxidize and turn dark. They remain white or flesh-colored. They’re also called closed comedones because the opening of the pore isn’t exposed to air. Whiteheads are smaller than blackheads and often feel like hard bumps beneath the skin.

Both whiteheads and blackheads come from a build-up of oil in your pores. Your pores can become blocked for two main reasons: inflammation or infection within your pores (usually caused by bacteria) or an excess production of sebum (oil) by your sebaceous glands

Blackheads are a type of acne that form when oil, dead skin and debris clog pores. They are dark in appearance because the skin is not covering the oil. This can happen on any part of the body, including the face. Blackheads on the nose are particularly common.

Whiteheads are also a type of acne that form when oil, dead skin and debris clog pores. They are different from blackheads because they have a skin covering on top which makes them appear white in colour. The key difference between blackheads and whiteheads is the skin covering on top of the whitehead.

If you want to get rid of blackheads, you need to understand what causes them to develop in the first place. The good news is that once you understand how they form, you can prevent them from occurring and getting rid of them for good.

The main cause of blackheads is an oily substance called sebum that is produced by your sebaceous glands. Sebum keeps your skin moisturised but it can also clog up your pores if there’s too much of it. When this happens, bacteria can grow inside your pores which results in pimples like whiteheads or blackheads forming.

Blackheads can be caused by a number of factors including hormones


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