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Even though they are relatively small, blackheads are unsightly, frustrating, and give an impression of poor hygiene. These small bumps occur when the pores of the skin are blocked by an excess of sebum and dead skin cells, when exposed to the air, the sebum oxidizes and becomes black.
Often located in the T-zone of the face, which includes the forehead, nose and chin areas, blackheads can also appear on the chest, back, and shoulders.
Fortunately, with a good skincare routine and/or some cosmetic and medical treatments, blackheads can be removed and prevented.
In this article, we will talk about the causes of blackheads on the forehead, how to get rid of them and how to prevent them.
Blackheads on your forehead (and all over your body) are open comedones, they basically occur when the skin pores become plugged with dead skin cells, dirt, as well as oily protective substances, sebum, the part of the comedo which is in contact with the air oxidizes and becomes black, thus forming blackheads.
The forehead along with the nose and chin areas form the “T-zone” on the face, this is the area where the sebaceous glands are highly concentrated (i.e. leading to more sebum secretion), thus, blackheads are more likely to develop in this area.
Blackheads in the forehead can be caused by a number of factors inclusive of:
A significant production of sebum.
A hormonal change, causing an increase in the activity of sebaceous glands responsible for sebum production, especially during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and when taking contraceptive pills.
Irritation of hair follicles due to the accumulation of dead skin.
Certain steroid-based drugs, such as corticosteroids, lithium or androgenic steroids.
Poor skin hygiene, inadequate makeup removal or poorly cleansed skin.
The use of so-called comedogenic cosmetic products.
Residue from oily hair products like conditioner, serums, waxes sticking to your forehead.
Having oily or combination skin, which means being more prone to blackheads. In fact, oily skin is characterized by dilated and visible pores and the sebaceous glands produce a higher-than-usual amount of sebum.
the sebaceous glands produce an increased amount of lipids on the skin surface.
Other factors can contribute to the appearance of blackheads on the forehead, such as a lack of sleep, stress, a diet too rich in fats or sugars, squeezing or picking blemishes, pressure caused by helmets, etc.
How to Get Rid of Blackheads on Forehead?
If in any case you are dealing with blackheads on your forehead, you might be wondering how to get rid of them. Generally, there are many treatments and practices through which you can manage your blackheads, the following medical and cosmetic treatments, as well as home remedies, can help free your skin of blackheads.
Medical and Cosmetic Remedies for Blackheads on Forehead
According to the Mayo Clinic, treating blackheads using medical remedies highly depends on an individual’s age, type, the severity of the blackheads as well as the commitments that you are willing to take, for instance, how often you will be applying the medication among other factors.
Some of the common and most effective medical remedies that you can utilize comprise of:
1. Use products containing salicylic acid
One way to get rid of blackheads is to use a product containing salicylic acid once or twice a day, in fact, salicylic acid help dissolve the materials that clog pores.
Be careful to use a product containing between 0.5% and 2% salicylic acid. If your product contains 2%, you should avoid using it too often, as it could irritate your skin.
2. Chemical Peels
Normally what chemical peels do is that they remove the top layer of the skin and at the same time get rid of the dead skin cells, which is the major contributing factor in the occurrence of blackheads. During application, the chemical peel, which commonly contains AHA or BHA acids, is applied evenly on the skin, after a while, the upper layers of the skin peel off, thus revealing smoother and newer skin underneath.
You can purchase mild peels for at-home use, strong peels should only be performed by dermatologists or skin professionals.
3. Microdermabrasion
This is a commonly used technique for the removal of blackheads on the forehead. It involves using a super-powered exfoliation device that comes with a diamond or crystal tip and a built-in vacuum system to exfoliate the superficial layer of the epidermis. What this technique does is that it helps suction excess oil from the skin as well as dead skin cells and this will take the top off the blackhead.
Besides removing blackheads from your skin, microdermabrasion provides numerous benefits for the skin, some of them include reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improving skin texture, enhancing product penetration, reducing pore size, and improving acne scarring.
When performed by a professional, microdermabrasion can be quite expensive; some great at-home kits available in the market can allow you to have the same results as professional treatments for a much less cost, furthermore, those kits make the treatment much more private and convenient.
If you are considering microdermabrasion at-home, check out our guide on everything you need to know about microdermabrasion at home as well as our selection of the top microdermabrasion kits in the market.
4. Extraction (Dermatologist)
Dermatologist extraction is the other alternative that you can utilize that involves a professional derma extracting of the blackheads from your forehead. One thing that you should note is that it’s called dermatological extraction since the dermatologist does not squeeze the blackheads to extract them but rather uses special tools to pull them out. That way, there is no skin irritation, scarring, or redness, and the blackheads don’t return.
5. Apply topical retinoids before bedtime
Besides increasing the turnover rate of new skin cells, tightening pores and reversing the signs of aging, retinoids (derived from vitamin A) are a great treatment for blackheads as they promote the excretion of oil and impurities from clogged pores.
There are many retinol products (which is the weakest form of retinoids) available to consumers over the counter or online.
Home Remedies for Blackheads on Forehead
Home remedies are basically, actions that you can take in the comfort of your home using home available resources to get rid of blackheads, and some of these actions include;
Use of Vinegar and Cornstarch:
These two are commonly used at home for the treatment of blackheads due to the nature of their components. Cornstarch is usually a mild astringent, thus being able to reduce any amount of oil that is produced temporarily. It absorbs large volumes of oil on the surface of the skin at the time of application. Vinegar, on the other side, is an acid, bear in mind that acids are capable of reversing oxidation. This is to say; vinegar has the capability to bleach blackheads, thus turning them into their original color. For high effectiveness, it’s highly advisable you use a mixture of the two so as to realize satisfying results.
Warning: For individuals with highly sensitive skin, they should avoid using the mixture, and for that, you are required to attempt a patch test before applying the face mask. Again, in case you are allergic to either of the ingredients, then avoid using the mixture.
Honey:
Honey is another great home remedy for getting rid of blackheads, and that is due to its moisturizing, softening as well as antioxidant properties that are very useful and effective in fighting blackheads, its viscosity nature can be extremely effective in pulling out impurities and dead skin cells from the skin pores. It’s also important to note that the bee’s sweet nectar offers an anti-inflammatory property, which helps to reduce fluid retention under the skin, as well as reducing the chances of scaring after getting rid of the blackheads.
Egg White and Honey:
Egg white and honey are commonly used to treat blackheads, and the results have been tremendous. The most nutritious part of an egg is the egg white protein, as it’s believed that this protein part of the egg has skin tightening properties that absorb excess oil from the skin. Furthermore, apart from proteins, the egg white part also contains some vitamins which are beneficial for the overall appearance of the skin. On the other hand, honey has some moisturizing, softening as well as antioxidant properties, which are very helpful when it comes to getting rid of blackheads.
Lemon Juice:
This is also another remedy that you can utilize due to the lemon astringent properties. Its ubiquity makes it able to be used in quite a number of home remedies and, particularly, skin cleansing. The astringent property of the lemon juice helps clear clogged pores and that way, it gets rid of blackheads.
Baking Soda (Bicarbonate of Soda):
According to various dermatologists, baking soda can be used to get rid of blackheads, as it helps neutralize any pH imbalances your skin might be having and at the same time helps with the exfoliation of dead skin cells as well as oil and dirt.
The Don’ts
Squeezing:
It is important to note that trying to perform an extraction by squeezing the blackheads on your forehead on your own and without the help of a professional can result in skin irritation, infection and permanent scarring. Our face is a very delicate and fragile area that requires special care, so make sure to seek the help of a professional who will have the proper tools and knowledge to avoid scarring and further irritation.
Scrubbing/Stripping:
By over scrubbing your face, you only end up removing the natural sebum from the surface, thus resulting in dry skin. As a result, your sebaceous glands will end up producing much more sebum to address the issue, which can ultimately lead to increased blackheads.
What's the Difference Between Blackheads and Whiteheads?
When dead skin cells and sebum accumulate in the hair follicle, a comedo appears on the skin. Typically, there are three types of comedones, micro-comedones, closed comedones (whiteheads) and open comedones (blackheads). If the comedo remains closed, it forms a whitehead, if it opens, exposure to air will cause the appearance of blackhead.
Tips to Prevent the Occurrence of Blackheads
You can prevent the formation of blackheads, without having to spend a lot of money by trying to apply some of the following ideas:
Cleanse Your Face Regularly: Ensure you wash your skin thoroughly and gently to remove the accumulation of oil and impurities on your skin, thus minimizing the risk of new blackheads forming.
Make sure to use a mild cleanser that has a neutral PH, this will help to discourage your pores from producing more oil.
Use Oil-Free Products: Most skin products that contain oil highly contribute to the occurrence of blackheads, and for that, it’s highly advisable to use non-comedogenic make-up, lotions, and sunscreens, specially formulated for oily skin to avoid making the situation worse.
Use an exfoliating product: Exfoliating scrubs and masks can remove dead skin cells from your face and can help reduce blackheads. Exfoliate your skin at least twice a week to help remove the dead skin cells by using gentle products that will not irritate your skin.
Don’t Over Use Skin Products: Using too many skin products or make-ups can really overwhelm your skin, and as a result, you end up exacerbating blackheads on your face. Therefore, stick to one or two skin products and ensure you use moisturizers.
Conclusion: How to get rid of blackheads on Your Forehead?
Blackheads on the forehead are very common. Although they’re harmless and painless, they can be really annoying, unsightly and embarrassing. Nonetheless, by using one of the medical, cosmetic or home remedies listed above and keeping in mind the don’ts, you can easily get rid of them.
I’m a passionate skincare specialist and writer. I have more than 7 years of experience as a beauty, fashion, and lifestyle writer and editor, and I’m extremely passionate about what I do.
