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. Because these large openings allow air to access the follicle, the sebum-keratin mixture oxidizes, turning it black. On the contrary, whiteheads appear in pores with very small openings. As the plugged material inside is not accessible by air, it stays its whitish color.

Blackheads differ from other types of pimples in that they are usually very tiny and do not become inflamed. As they are clogs in the follicles, blackheads will occur wherever there are pores. They are most commonly found on the face and arms. Blackheads on occasion can progress into a harsh form of acne and acne scars.

How Do Blackheads and Other Phases of Acne Form?

Blackheads and other lesions develop in a similar way. A normal functioning sebaceous gland produces the oil sebum, which makes its way to the surface of the skin through the sebaceous duct. However, sometimes sebum hardens or mixes with debris and/or skin cells and clogs the pore.

A blackhead officially becomes a blackhead when the plugged substance oxidizes, giving it its trademark black 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 puberty (hence teen acne) and periods of high stress (a leading cause of adult acne), testosterone levels increase, amplifying sebum output. The power at which sebum travels through the sebum ducts literally causes injury to the cells lining them.

The type of sebum can also harm 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.

In addition, the sebum that cannot make its way to the surface begins to collect within the hair follicles, causing distension of the pilosebaseous glands as well as further irritation.

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. Cystic acne can form with or without infection. When cystic acne becomes infected, abscesses and scars result.

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.

Even though exfoliation does target a contributing factor to blackheads, excess dead skin, and might be suitable for blackhead specific treatment, it irritates the skin and other acne pimples, causing inflammation and further flare up of acne. In order to treat acne, one must find an all-inclusive answer that can be used on all manifestations of acne, including blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules.

Most blackhead-specific as well as some acne treatments only focus on the un-clogging of pores. They use harsh chemicals like benzoyl peroxide that dry and cause free radicals that literally damage the skin to unblock clogged pores and eliminate follicle-plugging keratin.

Solve your acne troubles by focusing on the inside by using a facial acne treatment that manages sebaceous gland activity naturally. Prescription sebum inhibitors have extreme side effects, which include almost unbearably dry skin, chapped lips, nose bleeds, eye irritation and birth defects.

Licorice root extract is a natural inhibitor of androgen, the hormones linked to sebum activity. By getting sebum under control, you stop the primary cause of acne lesions - injury to the cells lining the sebum canals.

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.

Employing the tricks of acne home remedies will get to the root of your acne problem. Stop treating only your symptoms.