Blackhead/Whitehead
Peel off mask, blackhead removal mask, deep cleansing mask…for many years, we have used different cosmetic products to keep blackheads and whiteheads away. Still, they are too stubborn to completely get rid of. Will aesthetic treatments be better options?
What are blackheads and whiteheads
Blackheads and whiteheads are caused by the presence of sebum in the pores. The sebaceous glands in the pores naturally secrete sebum to lubricate the skin. Where you run into issues is when the sebum clogs the skin pores and prevents sebum from reaching the surface of the skin. It leads to the formation of sebum plug (horny plug) in the pores. The sebum plug can be exposed to the air or hidden in the skin. When it is exposed to the air and oxidised, it turns black and is considered a blackhead. When it is hidden in the skin, it appears white and is considered as a whitehead.
Whiteheads appear as small white tips on the skin, commonly found at sebaceous glands-active locations such as nose, forehead, and chin.
Blackheads are the oxidised sebum mixture clogged in the pores. It is caused by insufficient cleansing; the left behind sebum will accumulate in the pores and be oxidised and turn black. Overtime, the blackhead can become bigger and harder as new sebum continues to produce in the pores, making the pores larger and blackheads more difficult to remove.
In fact, blackheads and whiteheads are two common types of acne. When there is a certain amount of sebum mixture (sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells) accumulated in the pore and become visible as white pits, they are called whiteheads. When there is an opening on the whiteheads, the sebum mixture will be exposed to air, oxidised, and turned black. It is how blackheads are formed. Based on their physical features, blackheads are also called “open comedones” while whiteheads are called “closed comedones”.
Causes
Usually, blackheads and whiteheads occur when the face has not been cleaned properly, leading to the accumulation of sebum, bacteria and dead skin cells in the pores and clogged pores. Whiteheads can turn into blackheads. Some people only have white heads but not blackheads, it is because they have done the cleansing properly but have overactive sebum secretion.
In our daily life, it is not difficult to find a behaviour that will encourage the formation of blackheads and whiteheads. For example, when the skin pores are not cleaned properly, it prevents the sebum from reaching the skin surface, which will cause the pores clogging. Also, putting rich, creamy skincare products on skin, without a proper cleansing routine, can stimulate the development of whiteheads or blackheads.
Symptoms
● Whiteheads:
Whiteheads are characterised as visible, small sebum plugs in the pores. The sebum plugs are white or yellow. There is a tiny or no opening on the top of the whiteheads. You can see a little bump on the skin and pop it out easily.
Whitehead ≠ pustular acne:
People are sometimes confused about whiteheads and pustular acne because they both have a white bump. The white bump from pustular acne is pus, not sebum plug. As the pustular acne did not break out, the pus built up inside bulges outward and formed a whitehead-like bump. Therefore, whiteheads are not a pustular acne.
● Blackheads:
Blackheads have an opening on the top of the follicles with black/brown sebum plug exposed to air. They can feel rough and hard. Skin with blackheads is usually greasy.
Three common types of blackheads include:
○ Real blackheads
This type of blackhead is relatively large and feels a little bumpy when touch. You can pop it and sebum plug will squeeze out.
○ Vellus hair-type blackheads
The Vellus hair-type blackhead is a rarely seen blackhead, only less than 5% of the population, often appearing around the nose or in the area in front of the ears. They feel prickly and have small black hairs growing inside. Hair removal or photorejuvenation therapies are recommended for this problem.
○ Sebum filament-type blackheads
The type of blackhead has a black, smooth surface. The follicles have accumulated a large amount of sebum, leading to enlarged pore size. It is difficult to pop the blackheads, but if it is popped, small, filament-like sebum will be squeezed out.
Affected people
Oily skin and oily combination skin types are prone to whiteheads and blackheads. But it doesn’t mean that dry skin or normal skin are immune from these. Anyone who does not cleanse their face thoroughly may see them popped out on their faces one day. Whiteheads and blackheads can come back anytime, repeatedly.
Treatment
Deep cleansing and oil-control exfoliation are almost the best solutions for whiteheads and blackheads. In Ai Beauty Clinic, clients can get a one-stop skin conditioning therapy to get rid of whiteheads/blackheads and improve the overall skin condition. The first one is acid peel therapy, it will cleanse the pores thoroughly and exfoliate the skin, The next treatments are the HydraFacial + Mesotherapy, they will cleanse, hydrate and repair your skin.
A. Hydrafacial
What is Hydrafacial:
HydraFacial is a patented skincare treatment developed by an American skincare company, HYDRAFACIAL. This FDA, CE and CSA approved device was designed to promote the health of skin and to restore skin barrier rapidly. Mainly focusing on restoring skin health, HydraFacial utilised the patented 4 in 1 patented Vortex-Fusion delivery system to exfoliate, extract and hydrate skin, and used in conjunction with the HydraFacial proprietary vacuum technology and serums. As a result, impurities can be easily dislodged and removed while simultaneously delivering hydrating skin solutions. It only takes you 30 minutes to solve skin problems without downtime and pain, including blackheads, brown spots, dehydration, wrinkles, sensitivity, dull skin, enlarged pores, pimples, and photodamage.
How does it work:
Hydrafacial treatment combines the usage of an exclusive formula essence and the patented VORTEX two-way vacuum technology to exfoliate the skin, rapidly open up the pores, clear the congestion, non-invasively clear out blackheads, whiteheads, debris and dirt, gently remove old dead skin cells. While vacuuming and cleansing the skin, the essence that is made with nourishing ingredients will be absorbed into the skin, which can accelerate cellular metabolism, restore the skin’s oil-water balance, resulting in a cleaner and healthy skin. In only 30 mins, hydrafacial treatment will cleanse, extract, and hydrate your skin in 3 steps. According to your skin condition, location and desired results, a unique plan can be tailored for your need.
Procedure:
1. VISIA skin evaluation: Evaluate skin condition or existing skin problems with assistance of data analysis and picture analysis.
2. Face-to-face consultation: Tailored a suitable hydrafacial treatment plan based on client’s conditions and desired results.
3. Pre-treatment preparation: Remove makeup and cleanse the face.
4. Hydrafacial 3 steps: ①Cleanse+Peel ②Extract+ Exfoliate ③Nourish+Protect
5. Post-treatment care: QDEL phototherapy mask to nourish and repair the skin.
6. Post-treatment precautions.
Duration: 45-60 mins
Who is it for:
- People have blackheads or whiteheads; Suitable for all skin types;
- People who are prone to facial redness and want to gently repair their skin barrier; Suitable for sensitive skin;
- People are looking for a deep facial cleansing treatment to rejuvenate their skin;
- People who want to combine HydraFacial treatment with other treatments to improve their skin health
Ai Beauty Hydrafacial:
A high-end skincare treatment that is suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin. Providing a high flexibility on the types of treatment tips and the content of essence and a high compatibility with other skincare treatments (e.g. photoelectric, microneedling), regardless what skin conditions or desired results you have, hydrafacial can be tailored for everyone.
Read MoreB. Acid Peel
What is acid peel:
Acid peel is a skin resurfacing procedure involving application of acidic solution on the skin. The acidic solution dissolves the oil particles among cells on the outermost layer of the epidermis and promotes the removal of the outermost layer. It stimulates the renewal of skin cells, promotes the replacement of elastic fibers in the dermis, and maintains the healthy state of the skin. It also helps with skin whitening, removing acne marks, reducing pores size and fine lines, removing blackheads, and curing acne and chloasma.
How does acid peel work:
Acid peel/AHA peel solution can loosen the physical attachment among stratum corneum cells by dissolving the oil particles between their cellular gaps, which will peel off the excessively accumulated keratin, unblock the clogged hair follicles and prevent the development of clogging opening at hair follicles. In addition, it stimulates the regeneration ability of epidermal cells and promotes dermal collagen fiber proliferation and its structural rearrangement, which will help to effectively improve skin texture (especially chicken skin), minimise large pores (by inhibiting oil secretion) and brighten skin tone.
Procedure:
1. VISIA examination: Access skin condition or existing skin problems with assistance of data analysis and picture analysis.
2. Face-to-face consultation: Provide suitable acid peel treatment plan based on client’s needs and goals.
3. Pre-treatment: Clean and disinfect the treatment areas.
4. Treatment: Apply an acidic solution on the face, waiting 1-5 mins.
5. End of treatment: Apply a neutraliser solution on face to terminate the acidic reaction and peeling reaction to avoid over peeling.
6. Cleaning. Post-treatment care.
Duration: 45-60 mins
Who is it for:
- People who have large pores and accumulation of sebum plugs in their pores;
- People with very oily skin or oily combination skin;
- People with repeated problems of blackheads and whiteheads;
Ai Beauty Acid Peel:
The acidic solution used in the Ai Beauty for acid peel treatment is the Milk Peel solution developed by the leading skin rejuvenation French brand Dermaceutic. Their Milk Peel solution is a complex acid which appears clean and transparent. The acid concentration and content ingredients are clearly labelled. Ai Beauty is committed to sourcing guaranteed products and services to clients for safe and effective treatments.
Read MoreImprove blackheads/whiteheads,come to Ai Beauty Clinic,
for safe and professional medical treatment.
Ai Beauty Clinic is a CQC accredited clinic based in London, and also is strongly supported by Cynosure(the owner of Ulthreapy) and Cynosure (the owner of PicoSure).
With rich experience of treating clients of various conditions, led by a famous British medical chief trainer, practiced by doctors and nurses who are GMC/NMC-registered and worked in NHS national hospitals, Ai Beauty provides certified and safe medical beauty treatments.
Ai Beauty always puts safety first. Not only are all medical staff insured by independent medical policy, each client who comes to Ai Beauty Clinic is also insured by £5 millions medical insurance. This full insurance coverage allows clients to have a concern-free treatment experience.
Ai Beauty Clinic has served over 15,000 clients from all around the world, been covered by some famous media such as European Times and CW Television, and established trust and an excellent reputation among them.