Blackhead Treatment Guide: How To Treat Those Dark Spots Forever?
Blackhead is nothing but a small comedo which is non inflammatory acne, pimple, or zit and appears with a black tip. The one with white tip is called whitehead. If you want to read detailed information on the blackheads read articles Blackheads And Whiteheads , What Is Blackheads? and What Is Blackheads? Part II.

There are several methods you can employ to treat, cure and remove blackheads prevalent on your nose, ear and back. Many of them may promise to remove blackheads at once but they would not ensure you the permanent cure. When it comes to selecting the right method for blackhead treatment, many of you would settle on blackhead removal methods such as blackhead removal strips, squeezing blackheads or using blackhead dissolving solutions.

I do not say they are No-No at all, but they are not blackhead treatment options your dermatologist would suggest you. This is simply because a wrong tampering with blackhead can infest "sebum" in it, which will cause a more severe form of acne called as "cyst." However the cases of cyst overruns are not common. Thus most people still prefer to get rid of their blackheads in the beauty salons.

Now let's find out how to treat these tiny black monsters, typically identified as “blackheads” with the help of medical treatments.

As with other mild to moderate form of acne, blackheads can be treated with both over the counter products and prescription medications.

OTC Treatments
Before using over the counter products to treat blackheads you should pay attention to following points:

  1. Yours is mild case of blackheads, use it. If it is a case of severe blackheads, meet the dermatologist and get prescription advice. OTC products are not meant for severe cases.
  2. Check out the ingredients written over the tube or bottle you plan to use over blackheads. If not listed, better not buy that product or call expert to find out the inside story of that product.
  3. Always use OTC product first as a sample product. Only after you notice good results on your skin, continue its usage.

OTC Products with following ingredients have shown the best results:
Salicylic Acid or Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA)
What does it do to your skin?
  1. Firstly, BHA exfoliates the top layer of your skin.
  2. Then, it provides radiant skin by cleaning out the dull skin.
  3. It gets inside the oil glands and clears clogged pores.
  4. And finally, breaks down the dead skin cells and claim war against blackheads.

Glycolic Acid or Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA)
  1. AHA comes out from sugar cane. Let’s find out what they do to your skin.
  2. AHA increases the population of skin cells by exfoliating them.
  3. It dissolves the protein bonds present in the cells and which helps in their growth.
  4. The dead skin cells then fall off.
  5. This remarks skin present underneath the top layer which is more fresh and soft than the flaky skin on the top layer.
  6. Besides, they even out skin tone.

Thus, AHA products are best for skin with blotch or marks. However, regular usage may make your skin more vulnerable to the sun. Also, do not use it for more than twice a week. You can use it after every three days.Benzoyl peroxide 5% lotion or gel is also used by many. It is good for other forms of acne but does nothing much for blackheads.You can employ other methods as well. These include: Light Squeezing, Exfoliation (using products containing Benzoyl Peroxide), Microdermabrasion, Chemical Peels, Metallic Extractor, Blackhead Strips, Improving Diet/Food, Make up and facials. All these methods help but should be undertaken by expert hands. Read articles Popping blackheads, Your guide on removing blackheads and Removing blackheads on Nose to know about these methods.

Prescription Treatment
The best prescription solution for blackhead comes in the form of topical Retinoids.

Retinoids can be defined as a derivative of Vitamin A. It opens pores of oil glands. So it works well with both blackheads as well as whiteheads.

When you use Retinoids in the form of creams, it unclogs the pores and allows other medications such as antibiotics to enter the hair ducts to fight the prevalent infection.

It also prevents clogging of dead cells and thereby reduces the possibility of further outbreaks.

Side effects: Topical Retinoids makes you highly sensitive to the sun. You will get dry, flaky, red skin. But these side effects would subside with discontinuation of the treatment.
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