Is your face looking dull and unhealthy due to pimples and blackheads? Are you running behind creams,
Every beauty enthusiast follows a daily beauty regime. And we are sure those regimes include a good clean-up of the face with thorough exfoliating of dead skin cells, banishing stubborn pimples and acne, and cleansing. But despite all those beauty regimes, one thing that makes us sweat more than anything else is one of the trickiest skin problems-blackheads.
Not adults but even teenagers encounter blackheads more often in different areas of their bodies, especially the nose. And we are sure they have tried countless ways to remove those black dots by searching on google about how to remove blackheads from the nose or how to get read of blackheads permanently.
If you are among those lucky ones who have never encountered blackheads you can assume they are similar to pimples, so popping them out would be the imaginary ideal choice. Or, if you have watched several YouTube videos promoting nose strips for an emergency clean-up for a date, you must know that excessive pulling and pushing can do more harm to your skin than good.
Then is there any better solution to get rid of blackheads? Well, that is what today’s article is about. We will tell you all the right ways to deal with those dull spots on your nose. But how about we tell you how to permanently remove blackheads from your nose so that you never have to deal with them again? It sounds like a deal! Isn’t it?
Please read this article till the end to know our take on how to remove blackheads from your nose at home and how to keep those black dots at bay because let’s admit there is nothing more wonderful than a clean, shiny nose. After all, that is the centre of your face and attracts more eyes.
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What Are Blackheads?
The clogged and non-inflamed pores, commonly known as blackheads, have another name, too- comedones. When there are large openings in the hair follicles, those openings get clogged with oil bacteria or dead skin cells. And when exposed to the outer air, that accumulated debris oxidizes and turns into a final look that appears black in color right on the nose.
People are sometimes confused between the terms whiteheads and blackheads, but there is a thin line between them, and therefore their treatments also vary. Whiteheads are closed comedones. That means, whiteheads have a thin skin layer on the top that prevents them from oxidizing, and therefore they do not turn into any other color, unlike blackheads.
What Are The Causes Of Blackheads?
Blackheads are a cocktail of oil, dirt, and bacteria. Since all the elements mentioned earlier can cause any kind of skin problem, including acne, blackheads are no exception. When we become careless about exfoliating our skin well or cleansing the pores thoroughly, it forms blackheads on the nose as that area has the most open pores, making it more prone to blackheads. Moreover, our nose has a high concentration of sebaceous glands that secrete more oil and make the nose a perfect spot for clogged pores.
Blackheads are not very choosy about skin types; therefore, people with any skin type can have blackheads on their noses. But people with oily or combination skin are more prone to blackheads. Therefore if you have oily or combination skin, you need to be more careful about exfoliating your skin frequently.
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We know blackheads are simply frustrating to remove and the worst headache. And that compels people with blackheads to try reckless methods to get rid of blackheads.
By now, we are sure you have gotten an idea of what blackheads are and now let’s get into some of the best ways to remove blackheads on the nose naturally and get rid of this stubborn acne.
8 Tips To Keep Blackheads Away
Clean Your Face Twice Daily And After Working Out
We are sure that this is not the first time someone is telling you about the benefit of washing your face regularly to deal with your acne problems.
All the dermatologists suggest washing your face in the morning and at night to remove any dirt or bacteria that may damage your skin and accumulate skin problems. You also must be sure you are washing your pillow covers regularly and cleaning your face.
But here, you need to be a little more careful since over-cleansing your face strips the skin and produces more oil to compensate, making your face more oily and acne prone.
Use a gentle cleanser or face wash to cleanse your face twice daily. If you exercise or workout regularly, wash your face as soon as possible after exercising. If it takes time for you to access the sink after working out, a cleansing wipe can temporarily serve the purpose.
When the pores on our skin trap sweat and dirt and oil, our skin accumulates blackheads. That is why we need to wash our face ideally after working out and before the sweat get a chance to dry. Many gentle facial cleansing wipes are available at your local drugstore, beauty supply store, and online.
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Exfoliate Your Skin
When we talk about exfoliating our skin, don’t think we are talking about rough and harsh scrubs. Those beauty products make our skin more inflamed and acne prone. Luckily there are many gentle and chemical exfoliants available that you can use instead. Nowadays, people are using alpha and beta hydroxy acids that are gentle chemical peels instead of harsh exfoliants.
AHAs and BHAs are gentle acids that help remove dead skin cells and clear the way for other actives to penetrate the skin better and work more effectively.
If you are internet savvy, we are sure you’ve heard about salicylic acid for acne, which is a beta hydroxy acid. Beta hydroxy acids are oil soluble and can effectively clean out clogged pores.
On the other hand, lactic acids and glycolic acids are considered alpha hydroxy acids that are water soluble and derived from natural sources like sugar, fruit, and milk.
Remember that alpha and beta hydroxy acids remove the top layer of the skin, and therefore, they make our skin more vulnerable to ultraviolet rays. So don’t forget to apply good SPF sunscreen while going out and even when you are indoors.
You can find those gentle chemical peels online or at your local beauty supply store.
Use An Oil-Free Sunscreen
Whether you have done a chemical peel treatment on your face or not, you need to protect your skin with good quality sunscreen before going out. But it is a little uncomfortable when you apply an oily sunscreen on the top of the skin that breaks out or causes excessive oil secretion. Therefore it is essential to be cautious while buying sunscreen, and it is essential to choose a sunscreen that is made for your specific skin type. Different sunscreens are available in the market for different skin types, including oily, dry, and sensitive.
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Oil-free sunscreens are great options for oily and acne-prone skin.
Steam Your Face Before Using Pore Strips
We all have seen those commercials with delighted women removing blackheads from their noses using pore strips. Pore strips temporarily remove a layer of the skin along with the oxidized dirt and oil that make up the blackheads. But those pore strips don’t prevent those blackheads from coming back.
Try streaming your face before using pore strips to open up the clogged pores for best results.
Pore strips make your pores appear smaller temporarily. But they also remove important natural oils and hair follicles that are helpful to your skin. And doing so it may lead to dryness and irritation.
You can find many pore strips online and at your local pharmacy.
Apply A Clay Mask
Clay is a natural and gentle ingredient with efficacy in removing blackheads from your face, especially your nose. Clay helps you to deal with the excessive oil secretion on your face and remove dirt from clogged pores.
A face mask made with clay work more gently on blackheads than any pore strip. Because those pore strips pull out a layer of the skin, the clay mask gets into the pores and gradually flushes out the dirt and oil.
Clay masks containing sulfur help break down the dead skin and improve the appearance of blackheads. However, if you are allergic to sulfur, doing a skin patch test on your arm before applying it to your face is good.
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Explore Some Options For Charcoal Masks
Charcoal is one of the most popular and favorite ingredients in all sorts of beauty products now. Some people even use charcoal-infused toothbrushes, and obviously, for good reasons.
Charcoal has detoxifying properties and it works in drawing out dirt and other impurities from your pores. There are lovely charcoal masks available in the market or you can also buy activated charcoal pills from your nearest drugstore. It is simple to use.
You need to open the pill and make a DIY face mask using tea tree oil, honey, bentonite clay, and some rose water.
Try Retinoids
Topical retinoids can improve acne. They are derived from vitamin A and therefore available over the counter. Retinol, alongside reducing the appearance of wrinkles and other visible signs of aging, increases skin cell turnover, and therefore, retinoids are suitable for your skin while dealing with blackheads.
But there is one thing you need to note pregnant women are not advised to use retinol because excessive amounts of retinol can interfere with the development of the fetus. Therefore pregnant women can try other alternatives such as rosehip oil for similar effects.
Apply Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid helps in dissolving the keratin that causes clogging of pores. Therefore it is an effective exfoliant, and you can apply salicylic acid gel if you have whiteheads or blackheads. But using too much salicylic acid or using it all over the body can result in salicylate poisoning.
How To Prevent Blackheads?
While removing blackheads from the nose now seems easy after knowing about so many ingredients that can help you get better, it is also necessary to know about some preventive measures to keep blackheads miles away:
Follow A Proper Skin Care Regime
Once you have tackled the disturbing blackheads, it’s not the end. Because the chances of them coming back always remain high. In this sense, it is always important to follow up proper skin care routine, including cleansing, toning, moisturizing and exfoliating occasionally and including products like good moisturizers, sunscreen, and non-comedogenic makeup that make sure your pores are not clogged.
Maintain Proper Hygiene
Alongside taking good care of your skin, regular cleaning of your surrounding is also important, especially things that come in contact with your face. Therefore, ensure that your pillowcases and bed sheets are changed every 3rd or 4th day and washed. Also, clean your makeup brushes at least once weekly, so bacteria and dirt don’t get transferred to your face.
Try The Heat And Ice Balance Method
This method is not as complicated as it sounds. If you are trying to get rid of blackheads at home and using a blackhead extractor tool, apply a warm towel to your nose at the first step. Then apply ice after you are done extracting the blackheads so that your freshly clean pores are closed, and dirt does not get a chance to enter again.
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Black Heads At Home
We will tell you about 4 home remedies that work wonders in removing blackheads from your nose.
· Coconut oil and sugar: When mixed together, coconut oil and sugar make an excellent face scrub that can remove blackheads. This scrub also ensures that your skin is not dried up or harmed in the process. Sugar gently exfoliates your skin and helps you eliminate the blackheads, while that coconut oil keeps your skin soft and supple.
· Oatmeal: Mix one tablespoon of oatmeal with one tablespoon of yogurt. Now add a few drops of lemon juice if you are not allergic to lemon juice or don’t have sensitive skin. Apply the mixture to your nose and let it settle for 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off. The pack gently removes the blackheads while bringing glow and radiance.
· Cinnamon and lemon juice: Mix one tablespoon of cinnamon powder with half lemon juice and apply the paste to your nose. Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes, and then rinse it off. Lemon has antibacterial properties that help you get rid of blackheads and whiteheads, while cinnamon is proven to improve blood circulation and tighten skin pores.
· Honey and milk: Milk and honey can aid in a natural removal process of blackheads while keeping your skin clean and supple. Mix milk and honey together and heat it for 10 seconds before applying it to your nose. Since this pack is quite runny in texture, you can use a cotton ball to apply it to your nose. Now take a strip and place it over your nose. Let it settle for 15 minutes and now gently peel the strip off, rinse your face, and follow with a moisturizer. Milk has lactic acid, while honey is rich in antibacterial properties. And both the ingredients help remove blackheads from your skin.
When To See A Doctor To Get Rid Of Blackheads?
Blackheads are acne called acne vulgaris, which appear as open bumps on the skin filled with excess oil and dead skin. This condition is prevalent, and researchers say that blackheads affect nearly everyone at least once in their lives. Blackheads are most common among adolescents, but around 10 to 20% of adults also have blackheads.
Blackheads can sometimes go away on their own, but it depends upon how deep those blackheads are in your skin. If the blackheads are close to the surface of your skin, they are likely to go away on their own. However, if any blackhead is deeply embedded in your skin, it is better to see our dermatologist or medical aesthetician get it removed.
Though it is satisfying and tempting to pop blackheads, you should not do it. Sometimes you cannot remove the entire blackhead and push it further into your skin. Deep blackheads are suggested to be removed by medical professionals only as they use a specialized tool with rigid metal loops to apply pressure on your blackhead and safely remove it.
Conclusion
Blackheads on the nose are common, but they are harmless. They look a little or more annoying but washing your face daily, and using oil-free sunscreen, retinol, and other products mentioned above may help you remove them from your nose. Also, keep yourself from the temptation of popping, removing, or extracting blackheads on your own. It is always better to see a healthcare professional, especially a dermatologist, to remove blackheads with sanitized tools to avoid scarring and further irritation.
