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Blackheads Research Paper

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Most people have blackheads at some point in their lives, making them a fairly common skin problem. Blackheads are small bumps that appear on the skin with a dark or black surface. They are a mild form of acne, caused by clogged hair follicles. Normally blackheads appear on the face but can also affect the chest, back, arms, shoulders and neck.

Causes of Blackheads

Each hair follicle in the human body contains a hair and an oil-producing gland. When oil, dirt and dead skin cells collect in the follicle opening, a bump in the skin, called a comedone, results. If the skin over the comedone opens, the air exposure will turn it a black color, resulting in a blackhead.

Many things can cause blackheads, which include:

age heredity amount of …show more content…

Proper Skin Cleaning Regimen

Keeping skin clean is extremely important in preventing and treating blackheads. Because oil and dirt on the face contribute to the problem, washing skin twice daily will minimize pors and treat the blackheads.

Clean skin every morning and night with a gentle oil-free and alcohol-free cleanser. Using alcohol and harsh cleansers can irritate and dry the skin. First, hands should be washed to remove any bacteria. Next, wet the affected areas with warm water to open the pores. Apply cleanser and wash the entire area two to three times with gentle, circular motions. Rinse the area with cool water to minimize pores and pat dry.

Those with oily skin may consider following-up with a gentle astringent, which will help to remove any remaining oil.

Homemade Remedies

Mixing apple cider vinegar with water and applying to the face twice daily can naturally help treat blackheads. Alternatively, baking soda mixed with water can be used to exfoliate the face, which will remove blackheads and leave skin smooth.

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