Blackheads may not be as painful as the other skin disorders out there, but there are some things that blackheads do to the skin and to the person. The presence of blackheads on the skin can affect the confidence of one person, so it's a must that these skin disorders should be well managed and should be anticipated. But how does an ordinary person get rid or prevent the blackheads from conquering a person's skin?

What are Blackheads?
Blackheads are common problems for teens and young adults. Even those in their early twenties and late thirties find the discomfort and the inconvenience in having blackheads. The blackhead that can be seen on one's skin is actually a form of acne. This is known in the medical field as the open comedo or known as the comedones if blackheads are numerous on one's face. This thing is what the person sees as the yellowish or perhaps a blackish bump o the skin.

To be more precise blackheads are types of acne vulgaris. These are caused usually by the excess oil that accumulated on the skin's sebaceous glands ducts. The substance that can be seen on thee blackhead bumps are usually keratin and a modified sebum that can darkens when it is oxidized.

Treatment for Blackheads
In order to get rid of blackheads and other forms of acne, it is important that a person takes extra time, consistency and lots of effort as well. One good start is to wash the face at least twice a day using a mild soap or a natural moisturizer. This will be tiring and this will take time, but in the end this will pay off. The oil-based make-up should be set aside as this can also add up to the build-up of oil in the skin's follicles. If the make-up is water-based, then this make-up can be used. When blackheads are already on the skin and washing of the face will no longer cut it, then treatments by way of available drug may be needed. But these treatments may not take effect overnight; these treatments may take several weeks or months to take effect on a person's skin.

One drug that can be used is the Benzoyl Peroxide. This drug has an anti-bacterial effect, and can help reduce the plugging that in turn causes the formation of blackheads. The use of this treatment is recommended for mild cases of blackheads. The Tretinoin or the Retin-A is another one that can be used. This treatment is a derivative of Vitamin A and help increase cell turnover and in the process reduce the stickiness of the slough cells. Antibiotics can work as well and these can help if some of the blackheads are infected.

Acutanne is used on severe cases of acne and this drug may offer a number of side effects. If used properly, this treatment can be very effective on the skin of the patient. Those with blackheads can also opt for extraction. This can be done thru the use of the comedone extractor. The extractor looks like a small and a circular metal instrument that is centered on the targeted blackhead so that the plug will extrude.