How Do Blackheads Form?
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What are Blackheads?
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Blackheads are skin blemishes that are dark in color. They develop when oils, bacteria and dead skin cells accumulate in partially blocked pores. They are most likely to appear on individuals with oily skin and large pores, and are prevalent in teens and adolescents, as their skin tends to produce more oil.
How Do Blackheads Develop?
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Blackheads form when a large skin pore becomes partially blocked by dead skin cells. The sebaceous glands, which are located just beneath the skin, secrete an oil called sebum. Usually, this sebum escapes through pores. Because the pore is partially blocked, the sebum escapes more slowly than usual and builds up. When this sebum is exposed to the air through the part of the pore that is not blocked, the ball of trapped oil oxidizes and turns black.
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Treating and Avoiding Blackheads
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Blackheads can be tricky to remove because the mass of trapped oil can leave a crater in the skin. The best thing to do is let them clear on their own, though this process could take several weeks. Doctors can remove blackheads if they become large, painful or infected. Leaning over a bowl of steaming water can sometimes completely open the pore, causing it to release the blackhead. To avoid blackheads, wash your face regularly with a face wash. This keeps skin cells from building up and partially blocking the pores.
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