Blackheads and Whiteheads

Blackheads and Whiteheads

Serious Corrective Treatment:
Blackheads & Whiteheads

Symptoms:
Blackheads and whiteheads are a combination of oils, sebum and cellular fragments that form 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). Whiteheads are closed from the skin's surface by cellular debris at the follicle opening. Because they are closed from oxygen they do not oxidize or turn brown. 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.

Blackheads and especially whiteheads are promoted by excessive cellular exfoliation, which can quickly clog or block the follicles. Some skin specialists believe individuals who are prone to blackheads or whiteheads produce sebum that is drier than normal and conducive to forming firm plugs. Additionally, it is possible that people with dry skin will have dry sebum, which is prone to forming plugs.

Blackhead/Whitehead Controller is produced 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 Controller contains extracts that reduce excessive cellular production and shrink tissues to keep follicles open. Some of these same extracts are used in the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, dandruff and similar condition of excessive cellular proliferation. Some of these extracts are able to soften and break down lipids, like the dry sebum that form the plugs. Other extracts down-regulate sebum production by breaking down androgens, such as testosterone that stimulate the production of sebum. Others inhibit bacterial lipases, which promote cellular proliferation and blockage.

As Blackhead/Whitehead Controller softens and dissolves comedones and milia it is important that the skin does not become dry or dehydrated. 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.

Salicylic acid, glycolic acid, benzyl peroxide, etc. can be counter-productive to softening and dissolving blackheads and whiteheads as they can dehydrate dry, normal and combination skin. Antibacterial Cleanser and Bacteriostat 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. Ingredients in these cleansers also inhibit the production of sebum.

People with excessively oily skin can use Glycolic Cleanser, especially with whiteheads to assist in opening the follicles and and promoting rapid penetration of Blackhead/Whitehead Controller.

The initial treatment phase is 2-4 weeks and during this time the Controller must be used twice daily, following cleansing. Blackheads dissolve in 2-3 weeks. Whiteheads dissolve in 3-4 weeks. Apply a small amount of the Controller with a finger and do not use cotton or gauze. Rub it in lightly to assist penetration into the follicles. After the initial 2-4 week treatment phase, the Controller must be used once daily, following cleansing, to maintain the results.

Note: As the Controller opens whitehead follicles and exposes the plug to oxygen, whiteheads may become darkened (blackheads) before they are dissolved. This is a natural process involving the exposure to oxygen and may occur during the second or third week of whitehead treatment.

Essential Fatty Acids: Linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid) is a normal component of sebum. It is an "essential fatty acid" required by the body and most people are more familiar with this bio-chemical as omega oil, fish oil, flax seed oil, safflower oil, evening primrose oil, or a number of other terms. Essential fatty acids are very powerful anti-inflammatory agents. The sebaceous glands normally make sebum with linoleic acid and this form of sebum is calming to the skin. Modern foods have avoided these essential oils in favor of "designer" lipids like trans-fatty acids and research has found links suggesting trans-fats may break down the body's supply of essential fatty acids. When linoleic acid is not available in the skin, the sebaceous gland produces sebum with oleic acid and this form of sebum is irritating to the skin and promotes acne. It has been suggested that oleic acid sebum is drier, firmer and more prone to cause blackheads, whiteheads and promote follicular plugs that lead to acne infections.

BiON acne products contain linoleic acid to ensure it is available for production of non-irritating sebum and to act as a powerful antioxidant and reduce skin inflammation. People with dry skin and continual follicle blockage (blackheads, whiteheads and/or acne) may benefit from increasing their consumption of foods rich in linoleic acid/omega oils or taking supplements such as flax seed oil. Do NOT take essential fatty acid supplements if pregnant or nursing.

For information on the regimens for blackheads and whiteheads see the Regimens for Acne page.

BiON
TOPICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
For Healthy Looking Skin®

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