The best way to get rid of a blackhead is to have a physician extract the plug of oil, cells, and dirt. Don't try to pick at it or squeeze it yourself.

Unless you’re one of the few people blessed with absolutely perfect skin, you’ve probably had to deal with blackheads or other types of acne at some point in your life. These little black spots can be unsightly, annoying, and hard to get rid of. But here are some facts to help you handle them, and keep them away.

Blackheads are an opening in the skin, such as a hair follicle or pore, that has become filled with oil, dead skin cells, and dirt. Since it’s open to the air, dermatologists sometimes refer to it as an open comedo. It has a yellowish, brown, or black appearance. The detritus in the blackhead can attract bacteria, and if bacteria invade, they can cause irritation, swelling, and the production of pus, leading to a full-blown pimple.

Myths about Blackheads

Myth #1 – Many people believe that one of the causes of blackheads is diet, with chocolate or oily food usually pointed out as the culprit.

Fact – Your diet has nothing to do with the presence or absence of blackheads in your skin, and eating sweet or greasy foods does not make your skin greasier.

Myth #2 – A blackhead is a sign of dirt and poor hygiene.

Fact – While it’s true that keeping your face clean will help keep a blackhead from developing into a pimple, not washing by itself isn’t enough to produce a blackhead. They are not the result of bacterial action, so trying to keep your face bacteria-free won’t protect you, and may even be harmful if you end up drying out your skin.

Myth #3 – Some people believe that tanning can aid you in preventing blackheads.

Fact – While it’s true that a little sunlight and vitamin D is good for your skin, getting a tan won’t do anything to protect you from a blackhead, although the dark color may help hide it. Tanning, in fact, kills surface skin cells, and dead cells are one of the major components of blackhead formation.

Myth #4 – As for claims that blackheads are contagious, don’t listen to them.

Fact – There is no way at all you can “catch” a blackhead, any more than you can adopt someone else’s skin type. So there’s no need to fear an unwanted transmission from a blackhead victim.

The Truth About Blackheads

So where do blackheads come from? As with many types of acne, the causes are various, but most of them are factors that are unfortunately out of your control: the type of your skin, your genetic predisposition, and hormonal changes due to puberty, menopause, or other forms of aging. Stress and emotional turmoil can also affect your hormone levels, possibly leading to blackhead formation. So finding a way to stay calm and centered can actually have a beneficial effect on your skin.

Use of sunscreens, lotions, and cosmetics that seal in your skin oil can make the problem worse, as can resting your face on your hand, which spreads excess oil and dirt from your hand to your face.

Since they lie beneath the surface of the skin, and are not caused by bacteria, you cannot get rid of them by scrubbing or applying antibacterial ointments. While keeping your face clean is important, many pads and creams that claim to eliminate the problem are worthless. In fact, hard scrubbing or harsh chemicals can irritate your skin, leading to more outbreaks.

The best way to succeed in getting rid of blackheads is to have a physician extract the plug of oil, cells, and dirt. Don’t try to pick at it or squeeze it yourself. That can lead to scarring and/or infection if bacteria migrate from your fingers to the blackhead.