Blackheads & Whiteheads

Blackheads & Whiteheads

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Skin Care Basics

Blackheads & Whiteheads

Blackheads

Blackheads are a combination of oils, sebum and cellular fragments that produce firm to hard plugs within hair follicles. Blackheads are open to the skin's surface and become darkened at the surface by exposure to oxygen (oxidation). They are called open comedones (or comedo, singular). When bacteria is added to these plugs, the condition can lead to acne.

Blackheads are promoted by excessive cellular exfoliation, which quickly clog or block the follicles. Some skin specialists believe individuals with frequent and multiple blackheads and/or whiteheads produce sebum that is drier than normal and conducive to forming firm plugs. Sebum contributes to skin oils and people with dry sebum may have dry skin, but people with oily skin can also produce dry sebum which promotes plugs.

The sebaceous glands normally produce sebum with linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid. This type of sebum has a liquid viscosity. It is calming to the skin and does not promote follicular irritation that leads to plugs. When linoleic acid is not available, the sebaceous glands produce sebum with oleic acid. This oleic form of sebum is irritating to the skin and promotes plugs. Oleic sebum is much firmer than linoleic sebum and is prone to producing hard plugs rather than flowing out of the follicle. This causes blackheads and whiteheads and both of these conditions may lead to acne infections.

Skintactix Blackhead Dissolver dissolves blackheads in about three weeks. It is a very unique product, made from natural plant extracts (25% of today's pharmaceutical drugs are still derived directly from plant extracts and another 20% are synthetic copies of plant extracts). The Dissolver contains extracts that reduce excessive cellular production and shrink tissues to keep follicles open. Some of these same extracts are used for the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, dandruff and similar conditions of excessive cellular proliferation. Some of the extracts are able to soften and break down lipids, like the dry sebum that form the plugs. Other extracts down-regulate the production of dihydrotestosterone, that stimulates the production of sebum.

As Blackhead Dissolver softens and dissolves comedones or milia, it is important the skin does not become dry or dehydrated for long periods of time. This allows the plugs to harden again and is counter-productive to treatment. People with dry skin should use a moisturizer to prevent the skin from becoming dry.

The initial treatment phase is 2 - 4 weeks and during this time the dissolver must be used twice daily, following cleansing. Blackheads dissolve in 2 - 3 weeks. Apply a small amount of the Dissolver, immediately following cleansing, with a finger and do not use cotton or gauze. Rub it into the skin lightly to assist penetration into the follicles. After the blackheads have dissolved, the Dissolver must be used once daily or once every other day, following cleansing, to maintain the results. Following is additional information on whiteheads and descriptions of product kits to treat blackheads and whiteheads.

The Blackhead Dissolver works very effectively in combination with any of the Skintactix acne products. The Dissolver should be the first item used following cleansing and lightly rubbed into the skin.

Salicylic acid and benzyl peroxide (frequently used in blackhead treatments) can be counter-productive to softening and dissolving blackheads as they can dehydrate dry, normal and combination skin. Antibacterial Cleanser and Septicide Cleanser do not aggressively strip the skin of lipids and do not dehydrate the skin. They effectively cleanse and reduce bacteria to inhibit the development of acne infections.

Note: Chronic whiteheads and/or blackheads are frequently caused by a deficiency of linoleic acid in the skin. Read the Whiteheads & Essential Fatty Acids page for additional information on this subject.

Whiteheads

Whiteheads are a combination of oils, sebum and cellular fragments that produce firm to hard plugs within hair follicles. They are closed from the skin's surface by cellular debris at the follicle opening. Because they have no contact with oxygen, they do not oxidize or turn brown, as blackheads do. They form a light or yellow-white lump and are called milia (or milium, singular). When bacteria is added to these plugs, the condition can lead to acne, especially cystic acne.

Whiteheads are promoted by excessive cellular exfoliation, which quickly clog or block the follicles. Some skin specialists believe individuals with frequent and multiple blackheads and whiteheads produce sebum that is drier than normal and conducive to forming firm plugs. Sebum contributes to skin oils and people with dry sebum may have dry skin and this may be especially true of people with chronic whiteheads but it is also possible to have dry sebum with oily skin.

The sebaceous glands normally produce sebum with linoleic acid (omega 6), an essential fatty acid. This type of sebum has a liquid viscosity. It is calming to the skin and does not promote follicular irritation that leads to plugs. When linoleic acid is not available, the sebaceous glands produce sebum with oleic acid. This oleic form of sebum is irritating to the skin and promotes plugs. Oleic sebum is much firmer than linoleic sebum and is prone to producing hard plugs rather than flowing out of the follicle. This causes blackheads and whiteheads and both of these conditions may lead to acne infections.

Skintactix Blackhead Dissolver dissolves blackheads in about three to four weeks. It is a very unique product, made from natural plant extracts (25% of today's pharmaceutical drugs are still derived directly from plant extracts and another 20% are synthetic copies of plant extracts). The Dissolver contains extracts that reduce excessive cellular production and shrink tissues to keep follicles open. Some of these same extracts are used for the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, dandruff and similar conditions of excessive cellular proliferation. Some of the extracts are able to soften and break down lipids, like the dry sebum that form the plugs. Other extracts down-regulate the production of dihydrotestosterone, that stimulates the production of sebum.

As Blackhead Dissolver softens and dissolves milia, it is important the skin does not become dry or dehydrated for long periods of time. This allows the plugs to harden again and is counter-productive to treatment. People with dry skin should use a moisturizer to prevent the skin from becoming dry and/or consider essential fatty acid supplements, if not pregnant or nursing.

Whiteheads dissolve in 3 - 4 weeks and during this time the Dissolver must be used twice daily, following cleansing. Apply a small amount of the Dissolver, immediately following cleansing, with a finger and do not use cotton or gauze. Rub it into the skin lightly to assist penetration into the follicles. For stubborn whiteheads BiON's Glycolic Exfoliator can be applied following the Dissolver and again, lightly rub the application into the skin to help push the products into the follicles. Skintactix Glycolic Exfoliator will not cause dryness.

Whiteheads may develop into blackheads during the third to fourth weeks as the sebum plug is exposed to oxygen. Following the initial treatment phase, the Dissolver must be used once daily or once every other day, following cleansing, to maintain the results. It is important to address treatment of whiteheads as these plugs can develop into cystic acne which can be painful and disfiguring.

Special Value Kits for Treatment of Whiteheads and Blackheads:

Kit B1: For Normal, Combination or Oily Skin (Antibacterial Cleanser, Blackhead Dissolver) (Retail $31) Kit Price $23.95

Kit B2: For Dry Skin (Septicide Cleanser, Blackhead Dissolver, Treatment Moisturizer) (Retail $45) Kit Price $33.95

Daily Treatment Routines:
Whiteheads & Blackheads - Normal, Combination or Oily Skin
AM    Antibacterial Cleanser – Apply to damp face, work into lather, rinse off
         Blackhead Dissolver – Apply amply following cleansing, lightly rub in, leave on
         Other skin care products – Apply as usual
Note: When using Dissolver with other products always use Dissolver as the first item after cleansing.
Note: Use Dissolver twice daily until blackheads disappear, in about 2-3 weeks, or until
         whitehead skin care products – Apply as usual
PM   Antibacterial Cleanser – Apply to damp face, work into lather, rinse off
         Blackhead Dissolver – Apply amply following cleansing, lightly rub in, leave on
         Other skin care products - Apply as usual
Note: When using Dissolver with other products always use Dissolver as the first item after cleansing.
Note: Use Dissolver twice daily until blackheads disappear, in about 2-3 weeks, or until
         whiteheads disappear, in about 3-4 weeks. Then use once daily to maintain results.
Do NOT let treated skin become dry or plugs will harden again and not dissolve.

Blackheads & Whiteheads - Dry Skin
AM    Septicide Cleanser – Apply to damp face, work into lather, rinse off
         Blackhead Dissolver – Apply amply following cleansing, lightly rub in, leave on
         Treatment Moisturizer - Apply as needed
         Other skin care products – Apply as usual
PM   Antibacterial Cleanser – Apply to damp face, work into lather, rinse off
         Blackhead Dissolver – Apply amply following cleansing, lightly rub in, leave on
         Treatment Moisturizer - Apply as needed
         Other skin care products – Apply as usual
Note: When using Dissolver with other products always use Dissolver as the first item after cleansing.
Note: Use Dissolver twice daily until blackheads disappear, in about 2-3 weeks, or until
         whiteheads disappear, in about 3-4 weeks. Then use once daily to maintain results.
Do NOT let treated skin become dry or plugs will harden again and not dissolve.

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