It can be very devastating when you look into the mirror and see dark specks, spots or bumps on your chest. These may be blackheads formed when your hair follicles are plugged. Before you try to deal with them, it is good you understand their causes.
This article has the information you would wish to know about chest blackheads including their causes, symptoms and diagnoses, effective remedies including home products.
Before we could get to causes, you should understand that a person has 4 million hair follicles with each having one sebaceous gland that produces sebum. Secondly, they are formed when one has blocked hair follicle. How does this happen? Well, when the dead skin cells and oil get into the follicle, they mix and pushes to the skin surface to form a plug called comedone.
When the comedone is closed by a skin layer, we will refer to it as a whitehead but when it is exposed to hair, it will be oxidized and turn black i.e. a blackhead
So why don’t we get so many yet we have millions of follicles and sebaceous glands? This is because the shedding off dead skin cells and the level of sebum being produced vary in each follicle.
Again, the factor influencing growth and shedding of skin cells and production of sebum are the ones that determine the development of the chance of blackheads. Here are factors that increase the chance of them forming. Here are the main causes:
Excess production of sebum by sebaceous glands encourages blackheads formation taken into consideration that sebum is a key element that plugs the follicles. When there is also excessive shedding of dead skin cells, expect them
Notably, several factors may enhance overproduction of sebum. They may include changes in the level of hormones stimulating oil-producing glands. Genetics can also be responsible.
One time, one of my good friends claimed that blackheads love adolescents’ skin. I did not give in to the sentiment but I decided to carry my own research. After having done a thorough research, I was convinced that my friend was perfectly right.
Intense hormonal variations during puberty make teens end up with this type of acne! This is because, during puberty or periods, there are changes in hormones that stimulate the skin oil glands. Even though this means that your body is behaving normal, these zits are unsightly and can be very incommodious to teens.
Same hormonal changes are also experienced during pregnancy make pregnant women also to be susceptible to their formation.
Actually, genetics may be the reason why some individuals are more vulnerable to blackheads than others may be. Because genetics have the potential to control how your body hormones will behave. Don’t forget that hormones especially androgen will regulate the amount of sebum that will be secreted in your body. This can be the reason behind the trending them in some families.
Before you apply any product on your skin, you must watch out. Some lotions, for instance, contain moisturizing agents but it is very unfortunate that these mineral oils can clog your pores leading to body breakout (blackheads).
Again, “silicones in skincare and cosmetics are also another ingredient on the list to watch out for that can clog your pores,” notes Cosmopolitan.com. So always opt for non-comedogenic body products.
When you overuse medications such as topical benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, or salicylic acid during treatment of skin breakouts, they can trigger drying effect on your skin. This condition will influence your skin to produce more oil and this will be the beginning of another blackhead phase.
Other medications i.e. androgens, lithium, corticosteroids, and birth control medications can also influence that rate at which your body hormones are produced and hence this can lay impacts on the development of blackheads in your skin.
Smoking limits the amount of oxygen in your body leading to the breakdown of elastin and collagen. This will enhance the development of wrinkles and increased pore size. To get deep into this, some chemicals in that smoke irritate the skin and dries it up. The skin will, therefore, be influenced to produce more oil. All these factors can combine to possibly trigger this black headed acne type in various parts of the body.
Blackheads on the chest can be easily noticed due to their black or dark color. They are a bit raised but usually not painful due to the fact that they are not inflamed like chest pimples. Earlier signs may be dry skin, peeling the skin and enlarged pores. Acne chest scars will be an indication of the previous breakouts.
Also, they normally occur alongside psychological effects such as embarrassment, reduced self-esteem, bullying among others. The psychological effects can be intense especially when the blackheads occur in parts that they can be easily spotted.
These black colored bumps are usually diagnosed to be mild acne. MedicalNews.com says that “Diagnosis may involve characterizing the blackheads as part of mild, moderate or severe acne. This helps determine the likelihood of psychosocial effects (although these effects are most associated with severe acne that causes scars), and whether treatment is needed”
Blackheads and whiteheads are taken to be mild acne compared to inflammatory lesions papule, pustule or nodule are taken to be moderate acne. Lastly, cysts are considered to be severe acne. But there are also guides that help doctors and dermatologists to diagnose blackheads.
After having gone through the causes, I am now sure you have a full knowledge of the causes. Below are some of the fast and effective treatments that can help you get rid of blackheads on the chest and other parts of the body fast:
Topical antibiotics are known to kill the bacteria that trigger their occurrence and infection. It also act by limiting the inflammation that might be experienced in the hair follicle. Examples of topical antibiotics are erythromycin and clindamycin. Oral antibiotics are only available with a prescription.
Oral antibiotics can be used to treat types of acne ranging from mild to severe. Using oral antibiotics is usually tricky since they can lead to some side effects. Be careful. They can facilitate yeast infections for instance. They are usually a prescribed medication.
This is once again a great treatment. It kills the bacteria that are responsible for the development of blackheads. It also has the exfoliating effect that triggers mild skin peeling. These outlined characteristics give this kind of treatment the authority to clear mild forms of acne. They can be acquired without prescription, unlike antibiotics.
This acid has got a drying effect on the skin that makes it get rid of excess oil in your skin. It also kills the bacteria triggering acne. It can be very suitable for less serious forms of acne. It is readily available without a prescription.
This is an ingredient found in vitamin A. This product can unblock the pores and limit the bacteria that triggers their formation It can be used to cure both blackheads and whiteheads and available only with a prescription. A common type is Retin-A.
For severe cases of blackheads where other medical procedures seem to be less effective, then isotretinoin can be prescribed. This is a perfect treatment but again very risky! It can trigger various side effects. It can lead to dry skin, lips or even eyes. It can as well cause birth defects hence it is recommended to use it with birth control medications. Finally, it requires a prescription.
There are several home remedies that can be used too. They can be used directly or used to make blackheads mask, scrubs and strips, which clear them by killing the acne bacteria and unclogging the pores. The home remedies are very suitable for mild blackheads.
Here are a few the top rated home products that usually clear this acne form fast and effectively.
Lemon juice another best treatment due to its acidic nature. This juice kills the acne-causing bacteria, get rid of dead skin cells and dirt that may accumulate in the skin pores and hence it keeps away the blackheads.
To use this remedy, cut a lemon into two pieces and then rub them on the chest area. Give it around 10 minutes and then wash the affected area using a soft cleanser. You should repeat the procedure at least twice a week until you get your desired result.
Cinnamon is one of the best blackhead removers since it has some antibacterial properties that can perfectly destroy the bacterium triggering blackheads. On the other hand, honey also has antibiotic properties that can help in getting rid of bacteria causing acne.
The first step is to mix honey and cinnamon to make a paste. Then wash your chest area to make sure it is clean and dry. Apply the paste on the chest skin and leave it for around 20 minutes. You can then clean the paste off using lukewarm water.
This is always the best way to remove blackheads as far as home products are concerned. It acts by removing debris in the pores and also absorbing excess oils left on the skin. Oatmeal can also be used to cleanse the pore hence making it ideal.
First, you will cook some oatmeal. Then you can mix one tablespoon of lemon juice and honey with the prepared oatmeal. Rub the mixture on the affected chest skin and leave it to stay there for 30 minutes. You can finally rinse off the paste using lukewarm water.
Baking soda is usually good for gentle skin exfoliation. It has certain anti-inflammatory properties that can help to limit the blackheads on your skin. It can get rid of dead skin cells in your pores as well as dirt. Remember again, when the top layer of skin is exfoliated, it can go away together with comedones hence preventing the formation of blackheads.
This is another home remedy that can effectively banish chest blackheads. Apple cider vinegar has the capability to balance your PH level of the skin. It is true to say that there will no rapid penetration of the skin by acne-triggering bacteria when the PH is balanced.
Make one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Apply the apple cider vinegar on the cotton balls and then rub them on your chest skin. Give it around 25 minutes for it to do its work. In case you happen to apply it when going to bed then you can leave it overnight. After then, use a soft cleanser to clean it away.
Egg whites offer great nutrients and minerals essential for your skin. It nourishes your skin and makes it supple. It is also categorized as skin deep cleanser. They can also help get rid of pimples scars that had occurred previously. When it left to dry on the skin, it can really help to unclog the blocked pores.
Get an egg and the separate the yolk from the egg white. Stir the egg whites until they get foamy. You can then apply the paste to the affected chest. Give it time to dry for around 20 minutes as you pat the layer using dry and soft clean cotton cloth.
Aloe vera is one of the most effective home product for several skin problems. Thanks to its soothing property. It is also good at managing blackheads that may feel a little bit itchy. It is known for getting rid of acne scars.
Chop Aloe Vera leaf into several pieces. Extract Aloe Vera gel from the chopped pieces. Apply the gel to your chest and then leave it to dry for 20 minutes. This should be repeated twice a day until you get your desired outcome.
This is another wonderful natural home remedy that can be used to remove blackheads. Tea tree is antiseptic which can clean the pores perfectly. It also kills the acne-causing bacteria as well which gives it a potential to get rid of deal with this acne type.
Get a drop of tea tree oil and place it on the affected area of your chest skin. Rub the oil on the affected area and leave it for around 20 minutes to dry. Repeat the procedure at least twice a day.
Below are more techniques that can reduce the chances of developing blackheads on your chest:
Blackheads are not always accompanied by severe symptoms but don’t give them room! Give them proper medication as soon as you discover the first symptom. Always be close to your doctors and share any meaningful information about your skin status. Don’t use the counter medications and home remedies if you don’t see any results. Seek help from a doctor or dermatologist.
