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Spot Check: Banish Blackheads

BellaSugarUK — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0800

Whether you're suffering from adult acne or you just get the occasional spot - chances are you've had those bad face days, when a pesky blackhead made you want to retreat right back to the duvet.

The best way to get rid of blackheads is to remove the cause of them - excessive sebum or oil and dead skin cells. As I've said before, don't use anything overly harsh or too astringent, as your skin will only compensate by producing more oil. A specially formulated range for blemish-prone skin is best.

Don't be afraid of using cleansing products containing natural oils, such as jojoba or coconut oil to cleanse the skin. These oils are close to our natural oils, so they don't block the pores. I swear by DHC Cleansing Oil (£16) to keep your skin looking clear.

For my blackhead-banishing guide, just read more.

Use a gentle exfoliating mask every day to remove dead skin cells so they don't block pores. Just remember to be very gentle as over exfoliation can exacerbate the problem.
To squeeze or not to squeeze is the question. Personally, I'm against forcing the blackhead out, unless it's being done by a proper skincare expert, as part of a facial, with steam to open the pores.
Try to avoid touching your skin to prevent the spots and infection spreading.
Watch your diet. Make sure you're eating the right kinds of food to reduce sebum production. Avoid too many cooked carbohydrates and fats, and instead replace these with fresh fruits, vegetables and raw fats, such as avocados, olives, and olive oil.
Make sure any foundations and concealers are non-comedogenic and oil free so they won't block pores. Mineral makeup is ideal, though try and give your skin a break from makeup, at least one day a week.
Avoid products containing the following: alcohol, isopropyl mystate, lanolin, sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium laureth sulphate, propylene glycol, mineral oil and parabens. Your skin is ultra sensitive when you're suffering from blemishes, so treat it kindly.
Steaming your face using tea tree oil and then applying a clay mask, a few times a week, will really help.

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Beauty Glossary: Blackheads

BellaSugarUK — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:00:00 -0700

Not the most glamorous of topics for this week's glossary, I know, but let's face it (excuse the pun) we've all been there. Sufferers of adult acne, in particular, will know just how upsetting waking up and finding one of these babies nestling on your skin can be.

Blackheads are scientifically known as open comedones. They occur when excess skin sebum (oil) and the skin cells become clogged in the sebaceous hair follicle. They appear to be black in color and can often be quite painful.

They are termed 'non-inflammatory lesions' by doctors and dermatologists, as unlike the red bumps and pus-containing pustules, they generally don't swell.

Blackheads are caused by partially blocked pores, and the black appearance is not dirt, as you may think, but the oxidising effect of air on the sebum in a blocked pore and the melanin pigment from the dead skin cells.

The best way to get rid of blackheads is to remove the cause of them - dead skin cells and excessive sebum, using products that are not too astringent. Anything overly harsh, will strip the skin of all oil, causing it to retaliate by producing more.

Watch this space for more expert tips and tricks for getting rid of blackheads.

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Definition: Blackheads

BellaSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:00:45 -0700

I throw around terms like pimples, acne, blackheads, and milia pretty loosely, but there are distinctions between these various forms of bumps on your face. Since we already know all about acne and milia (those pestering deep white bumps), I thought I'd explain exactly what blackheads are so that you'll have a better understanding of your skin and the best products to use for your specific trouble areas.

Blackheads are comedones (clogged pores) that are blocked by excess oil and dead skin cells. The black color isn't because of dirt or makeup (a common misconception); rather it is from sebum that has been oxidized by the air. They are a type of acne vulgaris and typically appear in the T-zone. Blackheads are easily removable by extractions and by regular exfoliation.

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Banish Blackheads With an Extractor

BellaSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:01:17 -0800

Everybody has some sort of embarrassing obsession, and mine is pore purging. Whenever I'm stressed, pushing blackheads out of my pores always calms me. (Sick, I know.) Since the bacteria on fingers can exacerbate acne, I bought Sephora's double loop extractor ($16) to help me get the gunk out cleanly.

The double-ended, stainless steel, made-in-Germany tool is meant to help with both blackheads and whiteheads. The thin, narrow loop is for oozing whiteheads, while the wider one is for digging out blackheads. For at least 30 minutes last night, I alternated between the two, giddily cleaning out my pores. This sucker helps you declog everything, and with a little help from a magnifying mirror, I was even able to get rid of blackheads on my earlobes. Delightfully gross. For instructions on doing this at home, read more.

If you are similarly afflicted with this need to purge, here's what to do. Extract the blackheads after a shower, or prepare the comedones by placing a damp, warm washcloth on your skin. Then, apply gentle pressure on the clogged pores; don't force it, or you can cause redness and/or scarring. And don't even think about trying this with cystic acne, as it won't work. Clean the tool with alcohol after each use, and wipe skin with an alcohol-free toner or witch hazel when you're through. With regular use, you'll be able to improve the look of your pores - but be warned, doing so can lead to a mildly pathetic quasiaddiction.

5 Tips For Minimizing Adult Acne

BellaSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:00:38 -0800

Dr. Amy Wechsler is not only a dermatologist, she's a psychiatrist as well. What a combo! In fact, some even call her a "beauty shrink," and the Manhattan-based skincare expert and author of The Mind-Beauty Connection: 9 Days to Reverse Stress Aging and Reveal More Youthful, Beautiful Skin ($20), has a few things to share with us regarding adult acne. As we all know, breakouts that occur post-high-school can be rough on the psyche, and that's why I asked Dr. Wechsler her tips on helping us prevent and deal with pimples in our 20s, 30s, and beyond. To check out her advice, keep reading.

Blackheads

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:07:42 -0700

Overview

Definition

Illustrations

Blackheads (comedones)

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Blackheads are tiny, dark spots caused by a small plug in the opening of a follicle (pore) on the skin. Blackheads are also called open comedomes.

Blackheads (comedones) close-up

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:32:25 -0700

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HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Blackheads, or open comedones, are common in acne. Clogged hair follicles reflect light irregularly to produce this black hue.

Review Date: 10/17/2007

Reviewed By: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 2_2088

Blackheads (comedones)

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:32:25 -0700

Back

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Blackheads, or open comedones, are common in acne. Clogged hair follicles reflect light irregularly to produce this black hue.

Review Date: 10/17/2007

Reviewed By: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 2_2087

Say Bye to Blackheads: Jean-Louis Sebagh Skincare

FabSugar — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 09:45:45 -0700

Jean-Louis Sebagh is a Parisian cosmetic surgeon who is well-known among socialites and the model crowd. Cindy Crawford swears by his skin-enhancing antioxidant injections and has even created a skincare line, Meaningful Beauty, in partnership with Sebagh. But lucky for us, the doctor has also come out with his own skin care line in the U.S., called Dr. Sebagh. You can now purchase his line at Bliss Spa and Barneys New York.

My personal favorite is his Pure Vitamin C Powder Creme, which comes packaged in little test-tube vials. It's quite incredible. When vitamin C is used in a powder form, it acts an an antioxidant agent to fight aging and breakouts. Just dab a little bit onto one of the "trouble spots" on your face, and and it works like magic to help get rid of blackheads and prevents new ones from forming. Buy it here for $155, along with other Dr. Sebagh products, including foaming Cleanser and an anti-aging moisturizing called Creme Vital.

Splurge of the Week: Estée Lauder Idealist Dual-Action Refinishing Treatment

BellaSugar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:00:24 -0700

While on vacation, I took a little, uh, vacation from my normal skincare routine. Unfortunately, this decision resulted in a mess of a complexion upon my return. I had blackheads galore, and the long flight had left my skin dry and flaky. Nice.

Oh, but when I returned to Sugar HQ, there was a package from Estée Lauder waiting. Inside: a sample of Idealist Dual-Action Refinishing Treatment ($49.50). It's a "skin refinisher," which sounds scary and harsh, but it's surprisingly gentle. When the paste meets damp skin, it warms up. While this heating action doesn't do anything amazing for the skin, it feels good as you rub it on. Five minutes later, the glucosamine and salicylic acid have painlessly nibbled away all of the complexion-dulling dead skin cells. The result: incredibly soft, smoother skin, with smaller-looking pores. One use and my vacation sins were washed away. A little goes a long way, so this is one skincare investment that should last for quite a while.