Dealing with blackheads?

A guide to get rid of blackheads 

Blackheads or open comedones are among the most common forms of acne in most of us with oily skin. This happens when our skin pores come in direct contact with dirt and oil and become clogged with bacteria. The P. acnes bacteria thrive in these sebaceous-rich environments and form tiny lesions. These lesions open up on the surface of our skin. When we are exposed to the surrounding air, it causes them to oxidise and appear black. Currently, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are seen as viable remedies for blackheads. Salicylic acid breaks down clogging in the pores and benzoyl peroxide strips away excessive oil and bacterial undergrowth as it peels and removes dead skin cells. However, both are incomplete ingredients as they also kill the good bacteria required for a healthy skin

What are the causes of blackheads?

Most of us keep blaming the bad weather around us for our skin and hair problems. But blackheads can be caused by other reasons, the medications we consume, or the type of skin we have. Many individuals have oily skin types due to tropical weather. This predisposes them to clogged pores and body acne. P. acnes is commonly found in clogged skin pores.

Hormonal fluctuations before and during the menstrual cycle, birth control pills, and hormone replacement therapy may also lead to increased sebum production, causing face acne and blackheads. Steroid medications may cause dead skin cells to pile up by causing adhesions in the skin layers, eventually leading to blackheads too. 

Formulations available right now are mostly single ingredient ones that cannot work smartly enough to eliminate acne without disturbing the skin microbiota. Most of them target both the good and bad bacteria, further causing damage to the skin. However, there is one smart combo that can identify and target only bad bacteria, without compromising the skin further. This revolutionary combination employs TT technology to solve different types of acne.

Thymol and Terpineol (TT technology): A revolutionary solution for all types of acne

The TT technology – a unique formulation of thymol and terpineol – is the best technologically-driven solution for all types of acne. This combination is backed by experts to have a quick action by reducing acne from just the third day.

It is scientifically formulated to recognize and destroy only the gram-negative and gram-positive acne-causing bacteria, leaving behind the good bacteria and restoring the skin’s natural microbiome. Apart from having potent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant characteristics, this patented formulation is also effective in solving PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), showing significant improvement from the first week.

Other blackhead remedies & why these aren’t ideal

Now that we know all the reasons for blackheads, let's discuss some of the options available today for managing them, but don’t quite deliver like TT technology. Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) known as a good acne remedy However, some skin types may observe irritation, tingling, and stinging. Besides being inefficient at identifying bad bacteria from good bacteria, salicylic acid may also strip away too much oil, leading to further irritation and marked dryness.

Gluconolactone, a mild polyhydroxy acid (PHA), is a chemical exfoliator that works similarly on the skin’s surface. However, it may still be too severe for people with highly sensitive skin or conditions like dermatitis and eczema.

Chemical peels and masks with ingredients like charcoal are also commonly used. But besides causing redness, swelling, scabbing, and scarring, peels are also known to undesirably darken the skin (hyperpigmentation) or lighten it (hypopigmentation). The skin  also becomes more prone to bacterial, fungal, or viral infections.

Glycolic acid, a common AHA in use today, helps remove the layer of dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. But besides being a superficial peel, the most common side effects of AHAs are redness, tingling, irritated skin, and allergic reactions.