Blackheads, a common manifestation of acne vulgaris, appear in people of all ages, often occurring on the facial area. Blackheads are open comedones, or non-inflamed pores plugged by sebum and keratin with wide openings. Air is able to reach the keratin plug due to the open nature of blackhead openings and oxidizes the material, making it turn its blackish color. Whiteheads, on the other hand, occur in follicles that have a smaller opening. Air does not reach the follicle and the plugged material inside remains white.

As there is no inflammation like in other types of pimples, blackheads are much smaller manifestations of acne. As they are clogs in the follicles, blackheads will occur wherever there are pores. They are most commonly found on the face and arms. It is possible, if left untreated, that blackheads progress into the more severe cystic acne as well as acne scars.

How Do Blackheads and Other Phases of Acne Form?

Blackheads form through a similar process as other pimples. A sebaceous gland under control makes sebum, a natural oil, that flows through the sebaceous ducts to the skin's surface. However, sometimes this oil hardens or mixes with debris and/or skin cells and clogs the pore.

This plug becomes a blackhead when air oxidizes the keratin plug, making it black in color. Should the duct become damaged or become inflamed, it is considered a pimple or, if more severe, an acne cyst.

Acne is first and foremost caused by injuries to the cells lining sebum canals. During periods of teen acne (puberty) or adult acne (most likely caused by stress), androgen levels are high, fueling sebum production and release. 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 type of sebum that the body produces also affects the healthy state of 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.

Lastly, the sebum that is trapped beneath a clog is forced to amass within the follicle, forcing it to distend and become further inflamed.

The body counters and protects itself from further damage by sending lymphocytes, macrophages and neutrophils to the site. These immune system cells, in the process of recognizing and engulfing antigens, cause the inflammation we call acne. Severe cystic acne can therefore appear without infection. Should bacteria become involved, abscesses and scars follow.

Treating from the Inside: Acne and Blackhead Removal

Prevention of blackheads requires addressing the cause versus only the symptoms: first, one must get sebum and its production under control and then reduce keratin 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 treating systems, in addition to some acne treatments, center narrowly on the unblocking of hair follicles. 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.

An inhibitor of testosterone, the hormone most linked to sebum activity, licorice root is a natural solution. Once sebum manufacture and distribution is controlled, you prevent the primary cause of acne - damage and therefore inflammation to the sebaceous ducts.

Increasing one's intake of essential fatty acids is a simple way to regulate the physical characteristics of sebum, keeping it from becoming its hard and more damaging state.

Utilize the tricks of acne home remedies to stop the foremost causes of acne. Focus on the causes and not the symptoms.