What Are Those Black Things On My Face?
- Image via Wikipedia
Blackheads are otherwise known as comedones, which is not related to comedy whatsoever in case that is what you were thinking. Nothing funny about these little black dots on the face. Our face is made of oil glands deep in the skin, and are otherwise called sebaceous glands. The glands manufacture oil, which in turn migrates to the surface to help lubricate the face and scalp and other areas of the body. Unfortunately there are more oil glands on the face than on other parts of the body. The oil gland is connected to a tiny passageway called a canal, with a hair in the canal. The canal is also known as a follicle. The opening of the canal at the skin’s surface is called a pore. Ah yes, those tiny openings that we would all like nicely closed so our skin is porcelain. Blackheads are the result of clogged pores close to the skin surface.
The black color is a result of the oxidation of the melanin in our skin and is noticeable once the sebum reaches the skin’s surface. Although there is a general belief that hygiene is the culprit in having blackheads, I am relieved to say it is not the issue and the dark color is not dirt. The skin that is supposed to be shedding or sloughing off us however, can be different for each person. If the dead skin is not well removed, it can clog up the pores by mixing with the oils, hardening and voila, that little plug has been added or formed.
Male and female hormones can affect the development of blackheads. The hormone androgens are produced more by men, but also by women. Increased production of these hormones occur under stress, by the way, when adrenal glands are hit hard by the stressful environment and in turn, produce more androgen hormones.
There are various opinions about food consumption and the role food contributes to blackheads. Dermatologists may not often believe food is related, while nutritionists and naturopaths believe strongly what goes in us shows up on our face in every way, including the blackhead way. Lots of dairy and sugar are supposedly related to the development ultimately of blackheads and we’ll address this another day.
Health may affect the development of blackheads. Gastrointestinal problems can apparently contribute to the development of more sebum filling the pores. If you are for some reason taking the drug lithium which some people do for a smoking cessation drug, while some take it for an anti-depressant, you may tend to have more blackheads develop.
Environment: pollution apparently can affect our chances of developing more blackheads, by clogging pores with tiny particles. In other words, living in a glass bubble seems to be the only way someone might keep their otherwise beautiful skin. And while we’re in that glass bubble, keep all stressors from bothering you and be massively drugged so you don’t get stressed about being isolated in a glass bubble. Okay, okay, not the best idea.
