#1 Are there ways to get rid of them?
Products with ingredients such as salicylic and glycolic acid, which work wonders by sloughing off dead skin cells and preventing build-up in follicles, should do the trick. Another ingredient I swear by? Retinoids, which help stimulate skin cell renewal. The blackheads on my nose reduced significantly after I used prescription Retin A cream for a month.
#2 Is there any way to prevent them from reoccurring?
Yes. Switch to oil-free cosmetics and makeup to reduce the build-up of oil. Or, do like I do and use a clay-based facial mask once or twice a week – this helps to draw out dirt and excess oil.
#3 Can they be extracted?
Some blackheads can be manually removed with a comedone extractor, but there’s a risk of scarring or infection. It’s best to get a skilled facial therapist or dermatologist to remove them for you. This applies especially if you have skin that is particularly prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation; if the extraction is too rough, or if it’s not done properly, it’ll leave unsightly marks on your skin (trust me, I’ve been there!). Another thing to note: Manual extractions won’t keep blackheads at bay completely.
Image: Showbit.com
This story was first published in Her World Magazine August 2015.
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