Dr. Julia Carroll from Compass Dermatology in Toronto said that blackheads are formed when dead skin cells and sebum accumulate in the gap in the pores.
Help us improve GlobalNews.ca
"When this combination of materials is exposed to the air, it oxidizes and gets black. Dermatologists call it open blackheads. It's important to know the cause of dark colors, because many people think it's dirty, but not," he told Global News.
Acne appears mainly on the face, in the T zone, but they can also form on the neck, chest, shoulders, back and, sometimes, in the ear.
READ MORE: Back acne: how you get it and how to get rid of it
He added that there are many causes for black spots, and for most people, this depends on a number of factors. Hormonal changes can cause increased production of sebum, continue, or sometimes make-up or skin care products can cause "plugs" in the pores. For some people, the vulnerability to having black spots can be inherited from their parents.
"In addition, certain drugs such as steroid pills or lithium can cause blackheads."
Prevention and elimination
And although there are some things that you can't control, Carroll says that using products without oil and regular exfoliation can help prevent it. "I prefer chemical peeling processes, such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid or retinol. Benzoyl peroxide can also help black acne," he said.
Try to avoid physical exfoliation or squeezing, because this irritates the skin, which can also cause acne or, worse, scars.
"You can also visit a certified dermatologist for prescription products, creams or pills in extreme cases. I recommend the Clarisonic brush to my acne-prone patients and this really helps me. Some women find improvements when they take contraceptive pills," he continued.
And whatever you do, don't take it off yourself.
"I really try to prevent my patients so that they don't eliminate them by hand or with their tools, I find that many people become obsessed with their blackheads and overdo it." This can cause acne in the short term, but then, I see significant scars by manipulating the pores for years. "
Masks and strips
The strip might work, but the results are very temporary, he added. "Also, be careful if you have sensitive skin, because the strip can also come out of normal skin. I think the strip works better than the mask and I would not recommend using a" black head mask "on the entire face. It can cause skin damage. "
According to Cosmopolitan, some experts warn about the use of carbon masks as a whole. The site added that several products, which had even become viral online, were made with glue.
READ MORE: 6 mistakes people make when washing their faces
An expert told the magazine that some of these carbon masks can damage the skin, tear the surface layer and hair.
"Most of the oil extracted from the skin will become sebaceous filaments and will be very necessary for the skin, so they will be replaced within 30 days to ensure healthy skin balance," said the facialist. beauty expert Andy Millward.
After elimination
After being properly removed, some people may end up with "holes" or scars on their faces too.
READ MORE: What home remedies for acne really work?
"This can be complicated and deteriorate significantly at the age of 40, when the skin loses its elasticity, which makes the pores open," he said. "One of the best treatments for tightening pores is a laser."
If you don't get rid of zits, Carroll says they can deal with it themselves, because our skin peels naturally, but sometimes, they can turn into zits.