Blackheads, also known as open comedones, are formed when the surface of the sebum that blocks the pores is directly exposed to the air and dust. They are caused by the oxidation of skin oil in the air, leading to a foul smell and black color. Blackhead acne is common in teenagers during puberty, and often appears on the face, chest, and back, especially with the most small blackheads on the nose. Their characteristic is the black dot in the obviously enlarged pores, which looks like a small worm when squeezed out, with a black top.
Blackheads are mainly composed of sebum, cell debris, and bacteria forming a "plug"-like substance, blocking at the opening of the hair follicle. With the contact of air dust, dirt, and oxidation, the part exposed to air gradually turns black, hence earning the not-so-elegant name of blackhead. Blackheads are hardened sebum plugs. When the sebaceous gland is overly stimulated, and the pores are filled with excess sebum causing blockage, there is often an oily feeling on the tip of the nose and its surrounding areas. These oils eventually harden, oxidize, and become black dots, which are called blackhead sebum plugs.
Genetic reasons: Since everyone's physical condition is different, so are the sizes of pores. Moreover, even if the same skincare routine is followed, the extent to which pores can be improved varies. Therefore, people who are born with slightly worse pore conditions may need to put in more effort to take care of their skin.
Sun exposure: The sun is arguably the biggest culprit of skin aging, while melanin is the natural protective factor against sun damage. The amount of melanin varies depending on the skin tone of each race. Upon careful thought, it becomes clear why Caucasians in their twenties experience more severe skin aging than us Asians. Each race has different skin tones, and thus varying tolerances for sun exposure, resulting in different rates of skin aging.
In addition to these, over-cleansing, squeezing pimples and blackheads, high-temperature environments, stress and hormonal imbalance, improper diet, drug allergies, and using inappropriate skincare or cleansing products can all trigger blackheads.
1. Squeezing with hands: Many people squeeze blackheads with their hands, but since nails can easily harbor bacteria, it can cause skin inflammation, and the pores will become larger.
2. Scrubbing: This method is only suitable for removing dead skin. If used to remove blackheads, it has little effect, and vigorous scrubbing can damage the skin.
3. Removing blackheads once and for all: As we all know, everything has a metabolic cycle, and blackheads are no exception. Removing blackheads requires patience; old blackheads may be cleared in a few days, but new ones continue to form. This metabolic cycle needs to be paired with special daily care to gradually eliminate them.
4. Using nose strips: At first, when using nose strips, seeing the blackheads on the strip after pulling it off feels very satisfying. However, once you get into the habit of using nose strips, blackhead acne will keep haunting you like a nightmare, and it will also lead to enlarged pores.
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