Causes of blackheads
What are comedones - these are sebaceous glands that become clogged with dead skin cells, sebum, dust, cosmetics, soap, etc.
Why do comedones appear? There are several reasons. Most often, the cause is simply incorrect or insufficient skin care. We may use low-quality cosmetics or simply forget about cosmetic procedures.
In young people, blackheads can also form during a period of hormonal changes in the body. However, hormones can affect the appearance of comedones in older people, for example, when the sebaceous glands are disrupted.
Finally, the third reason for the appearance of comedones is poor or unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.
Let's look at the most effective ways to remove blackheads on the nose, both at home and with a cosmetologist. Everything that will be discussed below in most cases is suitable not only for the nose, but also for the entire T-zone (forehead, nose and chin).
Preventive measures
It is very difficult to remove blackheads on the nose once and for all - they are not dirt that can be easily washed off. Pores clogged with dead particles of epithelium also cannot be changed in size; this is what is given by nature. Any effect is purely visual. To minimize the likelihood of reappearance of blackheads on the nose, use the following preventive measures:
- Washing your face every morning and evening will prevent excess oil from remaining on the skin. A cleansing toner or lotion will help keep your pores clear.
- Regularly changing pillowcases - a large number of dead cells and sebaceous secretions settle on them overnight.
- Minimize the number of times you touch your nose with your hands or hair.
- Normalize the diet, focusing on foods low in animal fats, fresh fruits and vegetables.
- A small physical workout, daily or 2-3 times a week, helps balance hormonal levels.
Some cosmetics, such as foundations, have the ability to clog pores, so to avoid problems with blackheads, their use is minimized. Each time you use it, the skin is thoroughly cleansed, washed, and wiped with lotion.
Ways to fight
The danger of comedones is that they become inflamed. Bacteria covering the surface of the skin easily penetrate the clogged cavity. Where they begin to actively reproduce. As a result, red pimples with a white head appear, which are much more difficult to get rid of. Therefore, it is better to start the fight against comedones right away. There are proven methods:
- The use of cosmetics designed specifically to get rid of blackheads on the nose (masks, stickers, scrubs, peelings).
- Cleansing the skin at home (masks, lotions).
- Treatment with pharmaceutical preparations for acne and blackheads (gels, creams).
- Facial cleansing using mechanical, hardware salon methods (ultrasonic, vacuum, mixed).
Constipation, dysbiosis, gastritis disrupt digestion, which leads to the accumulation of toxins on the intestinal walls. Harmful substances are absorbed and then carried through the bloodstream. The skin, as an excretory organ, tries to remove waste through pores. But it cannot cope with excessive load. Slagging reflects increased fat content and clogged facial pores.
To help the body recover, it is important to balance your diet, follow a drinking regime, and include in your daily menu foods containing vitamins A, E, C, rich in zinc, and folic acid.
How to get rid of blackheads on nose at home
Many remedies have been invented to remove comedones at home. Let's look at the most well-known methods, which are talked about on many forums and websites.
Cosmetical tools
Before purchasing medicinal cosmetics, it is advisable to consult a cosmetologist. It is important that the products not only get rid of blackheads on the nose, but also suit your skin type.
Scrubs
A scrub is a cosmetic product with small or large abrasive particles. Microgranules gently exfoliate dead epidermal cells and cleanse pores. Apply a small amount of product to clean skin and massage gently for 1–2 minutes. Attention is paid to the bridge of the nose, wings of the nose, chin, forehead. Then the scrub is washed off with cool water.
The following products are popular:
- Propeller;
- Garnier Clear Skin Active;
- The Skin House with cocoa, brown sugar;
- Holika Holika – sugar scrub against blackheads;
- Christian Breton "Extra Purity";
- Clean&Clear;
- Himalaya Herbals with Walnut.
It is recommended to deep clean the surface of the nose with a scrub no more than once a week.
Healthy! Scrub made from sour cream and coarse salt. Used to soften the skin of the nose, cleanse pores and improve metabolism. To prepare the scrub, you need to mix a tablespoon of sour cream and a teaspoon of salt. The resulting mixture is applied to a moistened problem area of the skin (in our case, the nose). For 1-2 minutes, massage the skin in a circular motion. Then all this is washed off. The procedure should be repeated no more than 2 times a week. The effect may not be visible immediately.
Peeling
The peeling has a mild effect and is suitable for daily use. Horny scales and plugs are not scrubbed, but dissolved with acids. If you don't know how to get rid of blackheads on your nose, try Super Aqua Smooth Skin Peeling Mousse. The product contains:
- AHA acids, reducing the thickness of the stratum corneum of the epidermis, brightening, accelerating tissue renewal;
- BHA acids, dissolving fats, relieving inflammation, redness, drying;
- PHA acids that regenerate damaged cells, have antioxidant properties, soften, and rejuvenate.
Peeling mousse is applied to a washed, dry face, left for 10–15 minutes, and rinsed off with massaging movements under running water.
The Korean Farm Stay peeling has received good reviews. The light gel texture has a whitening effect and contains kiwi extract, glycolic, lactic, and citric acids. Frees pores from impurities and lightens pigmentation. Thanks to aloe extract, it soothes the skin, softens, and heals microdamages.
Gently removes blackheads with Smoothie Peeling Mist. Lemon juice removes traces of acne and prevents premature aging of the skin. Sugar cane extract softens and smoothes.
Floria Active (Tony Moly) is a peeling gel that penetrates deeply into pores and cleanses blackheads. The product heals acne, improves complexion, gives smoothness and silkiness. Apply the gel to wet or dry skin, massage lightly for 2 minutes, rinse. Don't be alarmed if pellets appear. These are pollution, sebum particles, dead epithelial cells.
Patches
Cleaning strips are glued to problem areas previously moistened with water, leveled and pressed. Leave for 10–20 minutes, then tear off along with the contents of the pores. Movements are directed from the wings of the nose to the center. Patches with charcoal or activated carbon are produced by many cosmetic brands: Holika Holika, Cettua, Yes To Tomato, Egg Pore Nose Package Tony Moly, Beauty Formula.
Holika Holika patch for blackheads
The strips quickly and effectively cleanse open comedones. But the disadvantage of frequent use of such products is the expansion of pores. Because of this, the excretory ducts become clogged more often. It is better to use strips in emergency situations, when you need to clean and refresh your face before an important event.
To prevent pores from becoming clogged immediately, use a tightening tonic or lotion after the procedure. Or wipe your face with ice cubes. In the molds you can freeze decoctions of celandine, coltsfoot, and string.
Masks
Professional mask Black Mask by Helen Gold is designed specifically for cleansing clogged pores. The product contains only natural substances - bamboo charcoal, vitamins, plant extracts. The manufacturer promises to get rid of sebaceous plugs and smooth the surface of the face. When used regularly, the mask stimulates tissue metabolic processes. The skin becomes elastic, elastic, small wrinkles disappear. The product normalizes sebum production, dries out pimples, removes redness and inflammation.
Black Mask for blackheads
For oily skin, it is recommended to use Black Mask 2 times a week, for dry skin - every 7-10 days. Apply the product with a brush to the entire face or just the nose area, avoiding areas around the eyes. After half an hour, the dried film is removed along with the greasy plugs. And the remains are removed with warm water.
Caudalie Glycolic Peel mask contains glycolic acid, vitamin E, grape seed oil. Suitable for all types of covers. Eliminates greasy shine, removes blackheads, lightens pigment spots, accelerates the growth of young epithelial cells. It is recommended to use the mask 2 times a week, leaving it on for 10–15 minutes.
An intensive Planet Organica mask with Arctic peat is designed for deep cleansing. Natural minerals strengthen tissues, promote recovery, absorb excess fat and pollution.
Healthy! Gelatin mask. Quite effective and cheap way. First you need to steam the problem area of the skin. To do this, you need to boil water with the addition of chamomile leaves. While the water is boiling, a gelatin mask is prepared. Take regular food gelatin and water. Mix to a sticky mass (mix very thoroughly until the gelatin pieces are completely crushed). Next, the skin of the nose is steamed with our chamomile solution, wiped with a towel and a gelatin mask is applied. We keep the mask until it dries, and then wash it all off with warm water. After this, the skin must be lubricated with a solution of salicylic acid. The procedure is repeated once a week.
Pharmacy products
Azelaic acid effectively dissolves sebaceous plugs and horny scales of the epithelium. The pharmacy sells Skinoren and Azelik gels. Apply them 1-2 times a day in a thin layer after preliminary cleansing of the face.
You can also buy cosmetic clay there that softens comedones. White, green, blue, black kaolin will do. The powder is diluted with water to the consistency of sour cream and applied as a mask. After 20 minutes, wash off with warm water.
Healthy! Aloe leaf lotion. It helps relieve inflammation and irritation on the skin of the nose. It's easy to prepare. The aloe leaf is peeled and the pulp is crushed. Two spoons of such pulp are poured into a glass of water and placed on fire. The mixture is brought to a boil and boiled for 2-3 minutes. Then all this is cooled and applied to the skin of the nose (wipe). Store the mixture in the refrigerator. The procedure with aloe leaves is carried out in the morning and evening.
Fighting blackheads: home methods
Squeezing out blackheads on the face should be done after the pores have expanded. Hands should be washed clean, wrapped in a sterile napkin, and fingertips moistened with a solution of alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. You only need to remove easily tractable blackheads, squeezing them with your fingers on both sides. If the desired result is not fully achieved, it is better not to overdo it and leave the remaining comedones for the next procedure.
To narrow steamed pores and bring them to their natural state, the treated skin should be wiped with tonic or lotion. Then it is recommended to make a mask, best tightening one (based on lemon juice, egg white or clay), after which wipe the skin with ice and lubricate it with moisturizer. After cleansing, you should definitely give your face a break from makeup.
Precautionary measures
In pursuit of recipes on how to get rid of blackheads on the nose, the main thing is not to do harm. Only an integrated approach will help quickly solve the problem. And following the precautionary rules will protect against damage, the appearance of inflamed acne and dryness:
- Before starting cleansing procedures, wash your face with gentle foam or gel, steam over a saucepan of hot water or a decoction of herbs (chamomile, calendula, sage). But for people with rosacea, active herpes, or inflamed epithelium, steam baths are contraindicated.
- Do not squeeze out blackheads. Only part of the sebaceous plug comes to the surface. The rest stays inside. The tissues are damaged and pathogenic microorganisms penetrate inside the pores. The growth of bacteria provokes inflammation of the sebaceous gland, excretory duct and surrounding tissues. Instead of an inconspicuous comedon, a purulent pimple forms, which will take a long time to treat. Another scenario is also possible. Under pressure, the sebaceous gland is easily injured. Its contents pour deep into the dermis. Then a painful lump appears - a subcutaneous or internal pimple.
- If irritation or peeling occurs after using a cleanser at home, stop experimenting. These are the first signs of skin dehydration. It’s better not to take risks, but to entrust the treatment of blackheads to a professional cosmetologist.
- To avoid allergies, do a test before using any product. Apply a small amount to the inside of your elbow or behind your ear. Itching, redness, swelling, rash or other discomfort are signs of an allergic reaction.
Mechanical cleaning
Another popular method is mechanical cleaning or simply squeezing out the points with your hands. This is the crudest method, but at the same time it gives an immediate effect.
Squeezing should be done only after the skin has been well steamed (after taking a warm bath, steam bath or sauna), when the pores are enlarged. Before squeezing, hands are disinfected with a solution of hydrogen peroxide and wiped with a sterile gauze cloth.
Only those points that can be easily squeezed out should be removed, otherwise inflammation may form. After this, the skin area should be treated with a salicylic acid solution or tonic.
How to get rid of blackheads in beauty salons
What are the advantages of paid methods? The fact is that they can give effect much faster. Getting rid of comedones on your own can take weeks and months, but for money you can get rid of the disease in a few sessions. However, not everything is so “smooth” here either, because the effect may depend on a number of factors, including the qualifications of the cosmetologist, the type of procedure, the frequency of cleaning and other points.
In clinics, blackheads are treated with chemical peels, such as fruit acids or glycolic acid. Laser removal is no less effective. Comedones are affected by low frequencies (405 nm), thereby destroying bacteria, reducing the secretion of the sebaceous glands and normalizing metabolism in the problem area.
It's effective, but it's not for everyone. For example, laser cleaning is contraindicated for pregnant women, those with inflammation and wounds on the skin, chronic diseases, diabetes and a fresh tan.
Do not forget that black dots on the nose do not appear by themselves, but are the result of a malfunction in the body, so we can do everything to prevent the appearance of a defect or get rid of it in the early stages of development. To do this, you should pay attention to several rules for preventing the formation of blackheads.
Healthy! Honey massage. Suitable for those who do not suffer from allergic reactions to honey. To begin, prepare a solution that includes honey (preferably buckwheat) and essential oils (tea tree, lavender, rosemary, etc.). Essential oils are added 2-3 drops. The skin of the nose must be properly prepared, that is, cleaned with a special cream according to your skin type. You can use fatty oil. After this, you can apply the honey mixture in an even thick layer. We wait 5-10 minutes for absorption. Then we begin the massage with light finger movements and light pressure. After 3-5 minutes, you will watch the honey turn into gray and white clumps. The procedure is completed, wash your nose with water and apply moisturizer. This procedure should be repeated after 2-3 days. In total, the course consists of 10 such procedures (that is, it should take you about a month).
Cosmetic strips
One of the popular means for removing blackheads is special nasal strips. A wide selection of such products is available in a store or pharmacy. All of them are tightly bonded to the skin and draw out toxins from it. In addition, additional ingredients such as plant extracts and oils provide the product with other positive properties - soothing, skin whitening, etc. Due to their long-lasting effect, they can be used only twice a month.
To make this type of comedones removal as effective as possible, you should pay attention to the instructions for use and strictly follow them. Each company may have its own usage characteristics that must be taken into account.
Prevention
Prevention measures will help you forget about blackheads forever. One of the important points is the correct choice of decorative cosmetics. Fats, oils, preservatives, silicone, lanolin, petroleum jelly, starch quickly clog pores. Substances interfere with tissue respiration and cause the appearance of comedones and acne.
It is better to buy water-based foundation, and powder – not compact, but loose. Products marked oil-free, non comedogenic, antibacterial are suitable.
If you need to touch up your makeup during the day, first remove any remaining foundation with a tissue or micellar water. Otherwise, particles of sweat, grease and dust that have settled on the surface will be absorbed by the pores. Or, instead of powdering your face, use mattifying wipes. Gently wipe over the T-zone and shiny areas. This will refresh the skin and eliminate the need to apply a new layer of cosmetics.
You can normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands through proper nutrition, giving up bad habits, physical activity, and regular skin care both at home and in the salon. Acne appears due to stress. Therefore, the body needs peace, proper rest, and at least 8 hours of sleep at night. Be sure to remove your makeup before going to bed. Do not use cosmetics with alcohol, which dry out the epidermis. To protect the face from the external environment, the sebaceous glands will begin to produce twice as much oil secretion.