How to Clear Blackheads

If you've reached the age of fifteen, chances are you've had to deal with acne at one time or another. Some people suffer from skin problems worse than others, but we've all felt the frustration of blackheads. Get rid of blackheads and keep your skin looking healthy and clear.

Things You'll Need

• Gentle cleanser
• Exfoliant
• Prescription ointments (optional)

Instructions

1. Use a gentle cleanser. When faced with blackheads, the last thing you want to do is continue to exacerbate the problem with bar soaps. While it can be tempting to take your facial washing to the next level, you want to do this carefully and correctly for best results. This means trading the drying soaps for a gentle cleanser. Find ones that are water soluble and promote themselves with the word "gentle." If you have dry skin, you should be particularly stringent about the type of cleanser you get.

2. Put exfoliants to use. Exfoliants and a regular scrubbing schedule can make a world of difference when it comes to clearing the skin. With traditional cleaning regimens, dry skin tends to flake and accumulate in the pores, causing blackheads. When you use exfoliants, you can slough away this dry skin before it has a chance to accumulate. Exfoliants will also cleanse the pores, taking care of any problems that might be building up from past neglect.

3. Get rid of oily skin. Though blackheads can appear on both oily and dry faces, oily skin seems to attract them at a higher rate. If this is the problem you have, it's time to do something about it. Retail stores sell masks and paper absorbents that can help you to keep surface oil under control. If you do this regularly, it will keep the oil from getting into the pores and clogging them, causing more blackheads to pop up.

4. Seek medical help. It may be that your acne and blackhead problems are too much to take on with a home regimen. If this is the case, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist. He can give you a prescription for medication that will do the heavy lifting when it comes to clearing your skin. Accutane and certain retinoids are among the most popular treatments prescribed by doctors. Some of these treatments can be harsh and have considerable side effects, so make sure you discuss this with your dermatologist thoroughly before beginning a plan.

Tips & Warnings

• Blackheads and acne are often caused by hormones. As hormones stabilize, blackheads should diminish.

• Be careful when "popping" blackheads. Doing it too forcefully or carelessly can lead to scarring.