How to Remove Blackheads With Glycolic Acid
Blackheads, also known as open comedones, appear at the surface of the skin when there is a buildup of sebum and oils in the pores. People with oily or combination skin are especially vulnerable to blackhead breakouts. While there are many ways to combat problem skin, glycolic acid is a preferred treatment because it does not involve constant facial washing. The function of glycolic acid is to remove a top layer of the skin, to reveal the renewed, clear skin that lies beneath. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Check the ingredients on any skin care products that you currently use. Make sure they do not contain topical retinoids, since the combination of retinoids and glycolic acid might cause skin irritation.
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Wash your face with a gentle cleanser that will remove dirt as well as makeup and oils. If your face is not clean prior to the application of glycolic acid, you might experience uneven or ineffective results.
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Apply a cream containing no more that 10 percent glycolic acid to your face once it is dry. Ten percent represents the strength of glycolic acid in the solution. It is important that you start out at this lower percentage in order to see how your skin adapts. After a few weeks of consistent, once-per-day application, you can decide to increase the strength or not.
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Schedule a skin consultation with a dermatologist if the topical cream yields no results after a month. The doctor can assess whether or not a glycolic acid peel is appropriate for your condition. During this time, the doctor should inform you about possible side effects such as hyper-pigmentation. Keep in mind that treatments containing glycolic acid will not cause blackheads to disappear overnight.
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References
- Photo Credit clear eyes image by Dumitrescu Ciprian from Fotolia.com
