For so many of you, achieving glass skin is the ultimate skincare goal. But nothing ruins an Insta-ready look quite like a breakout of blackheads. So what can you do to stop them in their tracks? What treatments really work and what products should you steer well clear of? Read on as we reveal all so you can ditch the Insta filters and achieve flawless skin IRL…
What are blackheads?
Blackheads are a common type of non-inflammatory acne. They form when your pores become clogged with excess skin oils and dead skin cells. Your skin oil contains a pigment known as melanin, which oxidizes with air and turns black. This creates a bump, known as a comedone, which is dark in colour and gives the nickname “blackhead”.
What causes blackhead breakouts?
First and foremost, it’s important to emphasise the fact that blackheads are not necessarily caused by dirty skin. Quite often, hormones are the key culprit and fluctuations relating to puberty, the menstrual cycle and pregnancy can result in an over-production of sebum which can result in blackheads.
That said, there are various lifestyle factors that can exacerbate the problem. For example, not washing your face after a hot and sweaty session at the gym can increase the chances of your pores getting blocked.
So too can wearing heavy coverage make-up for prolonged periods of time. (We’re talking the thick, cakey ‘doublewear’ foundation that your millennial friends probably remember from the noughties! The kind that would exaggerate pores and leave a tell-tale orange tidemark around the jawline!) Thankfully, make-up trends have evolved since then (hello mineral make-up!) and it’s now all about the light, fresh and natural look.
A problem that’s only going to get worse
If that sprinkle of black speckles across your nose is bugging you now, we’ve got bad news – it’s only going to get worse as you get older if you don’t take action. You see, as you age your levels of collagen deplete. You need collagen to give your skin strength and structure. As your levels naturally reduce over time, the blackheads will become more obvious as your pores become more enlarged. Sun damage can accelerate this process, which is why it is absolutely vital to wear a quality SPF to protect your skin.
Blackhead don'ts
It’s understandable that some of you might be tempted to try to blitz your blackheads at home. But taking things into your own hands could lead to all sorts of skin problems:
- Don't use harsh exfoliating scrubs as these can strip your skin of its natural oil and cause irritation. It can even cause your skin to create excessive sebum which can lead to a vicious cycle of blackhead breakouts.
- Don’t try to extract them yourself at home by squeezing or picking at them, as you can damage the skin and cause inflammation and infections.
- Don’t steam with extreme heat to ‘open the pores’ as this can trigger other skin conditions such as rosacea.
- Don’t be tempted by at-home suction devices as these can lead to the appearance of broken blood vessels if used incorrectly.
- Don’t resort to covering up the problem with make-up that is oil-based (sometimes labelled “comedogenic”, meaning comedone-forming). Instead, opt for non-comedogenic products that are water-based and therefore less likely to block your pores.
Leave it to the professionals
For a much safer and effective alternative to at-home attempts, try a HydraFacial® Extract treatment at the DRVICTORIA™ Clinic. This multi-step treatment gets to the root of the problem deep within your pores, unclogging and resurfacing your skin for a clearer, brighter appearance in just 30 minutes.
- Cleanse and peel: We gently exfoliate the skin with a chemical peel that contains salicylic and glycolic acid to remove excess sebum. By doing this, we uncover a new layer of skin that looks fresher and clearer.
- Vortex Extraction: We remove debris from your pores by painless gentle suction that sucks out the blackheads, dirt, oil and impurities to reduce enlarged pores.
- Vortex Fusion: We saturate your skin’s surface with antioxidants to hydrate your skin and maximise that clean fresh look.
A bespoke plan to help you achieve your personal skincare goals
Want to achieve even more? The great thing about a HydraFacial® is that we can tailor each treatment according to your skin type and skincare goals. For example, we can increase the strength of the chemical peel, add LED light therapy, or include skin boosters to address any specific skin concerns.
The key is to book a consultation so that we can thoroughly assess your skin using the Observ520X skin analysis. We can then devise a personalised treatment plan and make informed product recommendations that will enable you to finally say bye-bye blackheads!
Hannah
Author's experience
Unlocking the potential of your skin and achieving a glowing, radiant complexion is something Hannah Leigh knows all about. As a qualified Level 4 Advanced Skin Therapist and HydraFacial® specialist, she has studied, practised and perfected our treatments to get the best results for you.
Resource Links
- Medical News Today, How do I get rid of blackheads safely?, Felman, 2017
- Harvard Health Publishing, Acne: What you need to know, Campos, 2021
- Professional Beauty, Everything you need to know about salicylic acid, Cummings, 2022
- British Association of Dermatologist, Acne, Patient information leaflet, 2020
- HydraFacial, The Treatment, 2024
