Blackheads are also called open comedones. Blackheads are follicles or pores which have an opening that is wider than normal. These openings are filled with sebum, keratin and dead sloughed off cells. A blackhead is a type of acne vulgaris.
Blackheads are caused by hormonal imbalance
The hair follicle on the surface of the skin is is surrounded by the sebaceous gland. The sebaceous gland secretes sebum. Sebum is an oily and waxy secretion and it contains fats. The main function of the sebum is to protect the surface of the skin and to keep the skin waterproof. The sebaceous glands are distributed over the entire body except the palms and soles. They are present most abundantly on the scalp, face and the neck.
The sebaceous gland is connected to the hair follicle by the sebaceous duct. The sebum secreted by the sebaceous gland is released into the sebaceous duct. When the production of the sebum increases it may lead to the blocking of the sebaceous duct. As a result the excess amount of the sebum is accumulated in the sebaceous duct as well as the hair follicle. Along with the sebum the sloughed off dead cells also get accumulated in the blocked duct and the clogged pore. When the pore is exposed to the air or the sun the melanin inside it gets oxidized. Melanin is a pigment secreted by skin cells known as melanocytes. Melanin is responsible for the color of the skin. Due to the oxidation of the melanin the pore becomes black or darkish in color. As a result the blackheads appear as yellowish dark or black little bumps embedded into the pores of the skin.The skin surrounding the blackheads may appear rough and of an uneven texture.
Blackheads often appear during pregnancy or when a woman is nearing her periods. Blackheads also affect women suffering from polycystic ovarian disease due to the hormonal imbalance.
Blackheads are a common occurrence during puberty
The sebaceous glands in the skin are large and well developed at the time of birth. They gradually shrink in size during childhood but enlarge again at the time of puberty. They secrete excess amount of sebum during puberty. This may lead to the blocking of the sebaceous duct, thereby resulting in the formation of blackheads. During puberty there is hormones imbalance as the body undergoes many changes in terms of growth of the sexual and the reproductive organs. These hormonal surges can also cause the sebaceous glands to go into an overdrive and secrete increased amounts of sebum. This causes blockage of the duct and clogging of the pores.
Blackheads may occur due to application of makeup
Application of makeup and excessive use of moisturizers and sunscreens can make skin very oily thereby causing clogged pores and development of blackheads.
Blackheads may be caused as a result of oily and unhygienic skin
Blackheads are commonly caused on an oily skin. If the skin is kept unclean it also leads to accumulation of the dead skin cells in the hair follicles thereby leading to clogged pores and formation of blackheads.