Blackheads are a common type of acne vulgaris typically found on the face and occurring in people at all ages. Blackheads, or medically known as open comedones, are non-inflamed pores characterized by wide apertures blocked by sebum and dead skin. Because these large openings allow air to access the follicle, the sebum-keratin mixture oxidizes, turning it black. Whiteheads, or closed comedones, occur in follicles with small breaches. As the plugged material inside is not accessible by air, it stays its whitish color.

As there is no inflammation like in other types of pimples, blackheads are much smaller manifestations of acne. Blackheads can appear anywhere on the skin where there are pores or follicles. The arms and face are the areas of the skin you are most likely to encounter blackheads. Although small in size, if ignored, blackheads can turn into severe forms of acne and result in unappealing scars.

How Do Blackheads and Other Phases of Acne Form?

Blackheads form through a similar process as other pimples. The sebaceous gland secretes sebum, an oil, that travels through the sebaceous canal to the skin's surface. However, sometimes sebum hardens or mixes with debris and/or skin cells and clogs the pore.

A blackhead becomes noticeable to us as a blackhead when the clogging material oxidizes with air, turning it black. If this sebaceous canal is injured through sebum output or if inflammation arises, it is considered an acne lesion, or if very severe, an acne cyst.

Acne is first and foremost caused by injuries to the cells lining sebum canals. During puberty (hence teen acne) and periods of high stress (a leading cause of adult acne), testosterone levels increase, amplifying sebum output. This increase in production also intensifies the rate at which sebum must be secreted, forcing it through the ducts that become damaged in return.

The state of sebum can further damage the follicle. When our body is missing Omega-3s, it creates a form of sebum that is less fluid and more harmful to the sensitive follicle cells.

Furthermore, when the sebum becomes trapped below a keratin plug, it begins to accumulate, forcing the follicle to distend and become more irritated.

The body reacts, as it always does to any signals of peril, by ordering all available lymphocytes, macrophages and neutrophils to the site of injury. These immune system cells, in the process of recognizing and engulfing antigens, cause the inflammation we call acne. The severe inflammation associated with cystic acne comes about regardless of infection. It is when cystic acne becomes infected that abscesses form, which also result in acne scarring.

Treating from the Inside: Acne and Blackhead Removal

Getting rid of blackheads requires treatment and management of the causes: sebum production, excess dead skin and bacteria found in the skin.

Although exfoliation to clear away excess pore-clogging skin is suitable for blackhead treatment, it may irritate the skin and other lesions, causing inflammation and more acne problems. In order to prevent such inflammation, an all-around approach is needed to treat blackheads, whiteheads and other acne lesions.

Most blackhead-specific as well as some acne treatments only focus on the un-clogging of pores. They typically include harsh, skin drying chemicals like benzoyl peroxide that can further cause damage to the skin by producing free radicals.

Solve your acne troubles by focusing on the inside by using a facial acne treatment that manages sebaceous gland activity naturally. Most prescribed products that inhibit sebum production are very harsh in their effects, including extreme drying of the skin, chapped lips, nose bleeds, irritation of the eyes and eyelids and severe birth defects.

Licorice root extract is a natural inhibitor of androgen, the hormones linked to sebum activity. By better regulating sebum production and secretion, you prevent the foremost cause of acne - you manage the substance that is responsible for damaging and causing inflammation in the sebaceous canals.

Adequate consumption of linoleic acid will maintain sebum quality and keep it from becoming hard and abrasive to the skin.

Acne home remedies are grounded in science and target the inner functioning of the body. Focus on the causes and not the symptoms.