Blackheads and Whiteheads

Blackheads and whiteheads are a form of mild acne that mainly occur on the face, however they can be present on other areas of the body, such as the back or chest. The scientific terms for this type of acne is called comedones. Like the names suggest, blackheads can be identified as the black dots on the skin, whereas whiteheads are the dots that appear to have a white head filled with pus. These types of acne are most commonly found on the nose, chin and cheek areas of the face, where more oil is produced.

Blackheads and whiteheads occur due to a build up of oil, sebum and dead skin cells that get trapped in the surface of the skin’s pores. Blackheads are known as “open comedones” and occur in follicles below the skin that have large openings or pores. These large pores can become clogged with sebum, and due to a chemical reaction, the melanin beneath the skin oxidises and turns that black colour.

On the other hand, whiteheads are called “closed comedones”. These are where the follicle beneath the skin’s surface gets filled with bacteria. In these comedones, the pore has a very small opening at the top which blocks air from entering, therefore it stays the white colour. Blackheads and whiteheads are a very common skin concern and some home-care tips can help to minimise the appearance of them. Look for skincare products that have Beta- Hydroxy Acids (BHA’s) such as Salicylic Acid in.

These types of acids work beneath the skin’s surface and de-clog the pores from within. If you struggle with this type of skin concern, it is also important to not touch your face in order to prevent the spread of bacteria, as well as treat your skin to some deeper, more effective facial treatments. Combat your congested skin with our Superfacials and Microdermabrasion treatments which are amazing at deeply cleansing and exfoliating the skin.