What Causes Blackheads?Blackheads, also known as open comedones, form when dead skin cells, sebum, and bacteria become trapped in a hair follicle. This is due to a clogged pore that doesn’t let the skin cell and oil debris escape. As a result, a blackhead forms. They can appear on the nose, chin, forehead, chest, and other areas of the body. To prevent blackheads from forming, it’s important to regularly wash your face with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt and oils. Exfoliating two to three times per week can also help to keep pores unclogged and avoid the buildup of dead skin cells. However, if blackheads do form, there are ways to treat them. One method is popping or squeezing the blackheads. Dr. Fua can incorporate all of these treatment options into your acne treatment plan, depending on what works for your skin.
If topical treatment alone does not improve acne, or if acne is severe or extensive, oral medications are the best option. If you’ve tried several topical medications without success, or if your condition is severe, oral acne medications are usually the next step in the treatment process. Treatment usually includes oral antibiotics and applying a prescription gel or topical cream to the skin. Depending on people with acne, treatment may include using prescription creams to prevent acne, taking antibiotics to kill bacteria that contribute to acne, or, if acne is severe, taking stronger medications such as like isotretinoin, or even minor surgery. Even if you have tried topical acne treatments such as creams or gels without any lasting results, laser therapy may be the right solution for you. While I would like you to try natural remedies first, if you are not seeing improvement and severe hormonal acne is making your quality of life worse, other treatments can make a real difference. While it may take a while, treating hormonal acne from the inside out until your hormones are in their natural, happy balance will allow your skin to truly heal.
Treating blackheads and acne involves a combination of good skincare, proper product use, and sometimes medical intervention. Here’s a structured approach to blackhead removal and acne treatment:
🧼 1. Daily Skincare Routine
Cleanse (2x daily)
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Use a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
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Avoid harsh scrubbing (irritates skin and worsens acne).
Exfoliate (2-3x weekly)
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Use chemical exfoliants like:
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Salicylic acid (BHA) – unclogs pores, dissolves oil.
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Glycolic or lactic acid (AHA) – smooths texture and helps with dark spots.
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Avoid physical scrubs (can damage skin and worsen acne).
💊 2. Topical Treatments
For Blackheads & Whiteheads:
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Retinoids (e.g., adapalene, tretinoin):
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Promote cell turnover and prevent clogged pores.
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Available OTC (Differin) or by prescription.
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For Inflammatory Acne (pimples, cysts):
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Benzoyl peroxide: Kills acne-causing bacteria.
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Niacinamide: Reduces inflammation and redness.
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Azelaic acid: Targets acne and helps fade pigmentation.
🧴 3. Moisturizing
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Use an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer.
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Even oily/acne-prone skin needs moisture to prevent overproduction of oil.
🌞 4. Sun Protection
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Daily broad-spectrum SPF 30+ to prevent dark spots and skin damage.
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Look for non-comedogenic, oil-free formulas.
🧼 5. Extra Tips for Blackhead Removal
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Pore strips: Temporary removal, but can irritate sensitive skin.
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Clay masks (2x/week): Absorb oil and clean out pores (e.g., bentonite or kaolin clay).
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Facial steaming: Opens pores slightly—use before applying exfoliants or clay masks.
🚫 6. Avoid
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Picking or squeezing blackheads/acne (leads to scarring).
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Over-washing (strips natural oils and worsens acne).
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Oily or comedogenic makeup/skincare products.
💉 7. Medical Options (for persistent or severe acne)
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Dermatologist-prescribed retinoids, antibiotics, or hormonal therapy.
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Oral medications:
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Antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline) – for moderate acne.
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Hormonal treatments (e.g., birth control, spironolactone) – for hormonal acne.
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Isotretinoin (Accutane) – for severe, cystic acne.
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🧑⚕️ 8. Professional Treatments
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Chemical peels
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Comedone extraction by estheticians or dermatologists.
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Laser or light therapy
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Microneedling (for acne scars)