Sometimes the cells inside the follicles shed too fast and stick together, forming a white, cheesy plug at the surface of the skin. If the opening to the surface stays partly open, the top of the plug may darken, causing a blackhead.
Formation
This is an explanation of how acne forms. It is a general description, and mentions both mild and severe cases of acne.
If the opening to the surface closes, the follicle may fill up and its wall may start to bulge, causing a whitehead. The mixture of oil and cells inside the follicle also aids the growth of bacteria. If the follicle wall bursts, the oil, cells, and bacteria spill into the skin.
The result is redness, swelling, and pus, in other words, a pimple. Whiteheads usually form from pimples. However, occasionally blackheads will form.
Blackheads are formed when too much oil is produced from the glands of skin. The excess oil collects in the pores of the skin and hardens into plug. Since the pores are open, the tip of the clogged oil is exposed to the air. It oxidizes and turns black.
This is a more severe form of acne. The lumps may be painful, and if they are not treated by a doctor, permanent scars could develop.
However, one of the best ways to treat acne is to prevent it from forming in the first place. The following section provides you with prevention tips.
Prevention
Getting rid of acne can be a challenge. You need to take several steps to make it happen. Some things you can do to prevent acne include the following:
- Stop using oil-based make-up, hair products, lotions, and creams.
- Eliminate consumption of greasy fast foods, pizza, fried chicken, etc.
- Avoid getting too much of any kind of oil on your skin.
- This includes mechanical oils and grease, as well as cooking oils should not come in contact with skin.
- Diet and lifestyles may need to be changed in order to get rid of acne (i.e. eating less sugary and salty snacks, candy, chocolate, donuts, or chips).