Effective Home Remedies For Blackheads
By Dr Anuja Bodhare +2 more
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By Dr Anuja Bodhare +2 more
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Blackheads, also called open comedones, are dark, tiny spots visible on the skin.1 They are a type of acne. Blackheads are open cavities on the skin filled with dead skin and excess oil. They commonly affect the face, neck, chest, and back areas. Usually, adolescents experience blackheads, but they can occur at any age. 2 When the open skin pores get clogged with dead skin, oil and bacteria, the upper surface darkens to form a blackhead. The skin pores stay open in the case of blackheads. When the pores close, they turn into a whitehead.3
Our skin all over the body has sebaceous glands, and most of these glands are connected to a hair follicle. These glands produce an oily substance called sebum. Comedones are formed due to inflammation of a sebaceous gland or a hair follicle. Blackheads are open comedones. The following causes can lead to inflammation of a hair follicle or sebaceous gland:
Blackheads are dark, visibly open bumps on the skin. They are nothing but a milder form of acne.2 Blackheads look black on the surface of the skin as the sebum gets oxidized on coming in contact with air, not because they are dirty.4
Also Read: Best Home Remedies For Whiteheads
Some people try to pop blackheads or try to squeeze them out, in an effort to get rid of them. However, doing so is worsening the problem, not solving it. You may remove the clogged sebum from the blackhead and leave a scar. In addition, the open pore will get filled with more oil or bacteria in course of time. Also, there are chances that the entire blackhead is not removed, leaving behind some part that might get infected later.
You can use some of these home remedies to remove blackheads safely and naturally:
Tea tree oil can stop bacterial growth. 2
Tea tree oil is an essential oil obtained from the ends of branches and leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia tree belonging to the family Myrtaceae. Tea tree oil has antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties that help fight bacteria, virus, and free radicals. That’s how it can be very helpful in several skin conditions.
NOTE: Do not take tea tree oil orally. It is toxic if taken orally at higher doses. Oral poisoning in adults and children has been well-documented.5
Green tea is an antioxidant. The oil production in your skin can be reduced with the help of wet green tea leaves. Green tea has several health benefits. The health benefits are mainly due to the polyphenols that are present in green tea. It acts as an antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral that helps fight bacteria, viruses, and free radicals.6
Though there are studies that show the benefits of the given herbs and home remedies in this condition, these are insufficient and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of these herbs and home remedies on human health. Thus, these should be only taken under the guidance and supervision of your ayurvedic physician.
Also Read: Removing and Preventing Blackheads on Nose: A Complete Guide
Mostly blackheads subside in early adulthood, but some people continue to develop blackheads all their lives. It depends on how deep the blackheads are rooted in your skin. Mostly, they disappear on their own if they are close to the skin surface, but some blackheads get deeply rooted in the skin. These blackheads have a slim chance of resolving on their own. Do not self-diagnose or take medications without proper consultation.
You can seek medical help if you have repeatedly new or old embedded blackheads. Consult a skin specialist (dermatologist) for the removal of blackheads. They will safely remove the whole blackhead which will prevent them from recurring. These professionals use a small tool with fixed metal loops on the ends. These tools are called come done or blackhead extractors. They apply slight pressure around the blackheads and safely remove them.2
You must not rely on home remedies for the treatment of this condition you should consult a qualified doctor for any advice for the condition.
Blackheads are a common skin condition that appear as dark, tiny spots on the skin. They mainly affect teenagers but can occur in all age groups. Simple home remedies that might be helpful for getting rid of blackheads include green tea, tea tree oil, sugar scrub or a salt scrub.
If you experience anxiety or feel too self-conscious due to blackheads, you should consult a skin specialist for the appropriate treatment. 2
Also Read: Aloe Vera: Uses, Benefits & Side Effects
Home remedies for blackheads are green tea, tea tree oil, salt scrub or sugar scrub. Green tea helps lower the oil production on your skin while tea tree oil can stop the growth of bacteria. The salt or sugar scrub exfoliates your skin and removes the dead skin that is clogging the open skin pore.2
Blackheads, also called open comedones, are dark, tiny spots on the skin.1 These are open cavities on the skin clogged with dead skin and excess oil.2
Yes, blackheads are very common in teenagers but can affect people of both genders in all age groups.2
Blackheads are clogged hair follicles that reach the skin surface and open. They appear black in colour.
Whiteheads are clogged hair follicles that stay under the skin and form a white bump.4
Yes, green tea is good for blackheads. The oil production in your skin can be controlled with the help of wet green tea leaves.2
Yes, tea tree oil may be helpful for blackheads. Tea tree oil can stop bacterial growth and help fight blackheads.2
No, blackheads are not contagious and do not spread from one person to another. Blackheads are not an infection.2
You can consult a dermatologist or a cosmetologist if you feel anxious and want to get them removed. 2
You should always consult your doctor before taking any medicines for blackheads. You may use mild scrubs available over the counter. However, avoid consuming any oral medications or local applications to get rid of them. There is a high risk of harm or side effects.
Our entire body has sebaceous glands, and most of these glands are connected to hair follicles. Blackheads are open comedones, that develop due to inflammation of the sebaceous gland or a hair follicle. The inflammation occurs due to excess production of sebum by the sebaceous gland, excess production of male hormones like testosterone, abnormal keratin formation, or increased acne-producing bacteria on the skin. 2
Also Read: Sandalwood: Uses, Benefits, Side effects & More!
1. Medlineplus. Blackheads [Internet]. Last updated on: 2022 Mar 21. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003238.htm
2. Clinic C. Blackheads [Internet]. Last updated on: 2021 Dec 11. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22038-blackheads
3. John Hopkins. Word! Blackheads [Internet]. Available from: https://www.hopkinsallchildrens.org/Patients-Families/Health-Library/HealthDocNew/Word!-Blackhead
4. Health NI of. Acne [Internet]. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Last updated on: 2020 Aug. Available from: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/acne#:~:text=Blackheads%3A Plugged follicles that reach, be tender to the touch.
5. Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R, Bagherani N, Kazerouni A. A review of applications of tea tree oil in dermatology. Int J Dermatol. 2013 Jul;52(7):784–90. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22998411/
6. Chacko SM, Thambi PT, Kuttan R, Nishigaki I. Beneficial effects of green tea: A literature review. Chin Med. 2010;5:1–9. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2855614/
Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
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Last updated: Sep 22, 2023
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