Constant skin rashes are one of the most common dermatological problems. They arise against the background of internal and external reasons, leading not only to a decrease in the attractiveness of appearance, but also to discomfort, even stress.
Among all acne, comedones are the most common - this is a type of cyst that occurs due to blockage of the hair stomata. In advanced cases, traditional medicine methods are used, and chronic mild rashes can be dealt with using home methods. In this article you will learn how to prepare and apply face masks against comedones.
What are comedones
Comedones are a special type of cyst that appears when the exiting hair follicle is blocked; a layer of horny tissue grows on top. The problem especially often occurs with hyperkeratosis, clogging of pores with impurities.
Depending on the characteristics of the formation, they can be closed (whiteheads), but open comedones, or blackheads, are more common. This specificity determines the complexity of working with the disease. Closed acne often becomes inflamed and cannot be squeezed out on your own, while open acne rarely leads to complications and is easily removed. Comedones can range in size from 1 to 3 mm, most often appearing on exposed parts of the body, face, neck and chest area.
The black color of open comedones is due to the presence of melanin pigment in the horny plug. In deeper layers it has a white or pinkish tint.
How to get rid of comedones on the face and chin - simple rules
Comedones on the face can be treated in various ways. Common salon procedures.
Mechanical facial cleansing is done in the same way as removing comedones on the back. Ultrasonic cleaning is less painful and at the same time effectively exfoliates the upper layers of the dermis. Here, under the influence of ultrasound, the contents of the ducts are brought out.
Vacuum cleansing, where a special attachment is passed over the skin of the face, is slightly less effective. In this case, sebaceous plugs are sucked out of the pores. Expensive, but very effective cleaning with a laser beam, read all the details about laser peeling here... Peeling also eliminates comedones on the face. It is similar to this procedure on the back.
As for most cosmetic products, they can be used without the supervision of a dermatologist or cosmetologist. A mask based on inexpensive blue clay helps to disinfect your facial skin and cleanse it of comedones. Tea tree oil copes well with facial inflammation and effectively eliminates comedones.
What ingredients can be used for masks?
When choosing components for creating homemade masks against comedones, it is important to consider that they have absorbent properties, narrow pores and normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands. It is best to choose ingredients that additionally nourish and dry the epidermal cells. Suitable components for masks:
- egg white;
- salicylic acid;
- Activated carbon;
- oatmeal of any grind;
- cosmetic clay;
- gelatin;
- citric acid with soda;
- rice broth.
All of the above products additionally have an anti-inflammatory effect and also have a whitening effect, which is especially important for working with problem skin types or severe pigmentation.
Indications for use
Anti-acne masks are not recommended if there are no problems. Due to the aggressive effects of some components, the natural process of subcutaneous sebum secretion is disrupted and water balance disturbances occur.
Main indications for use:
- comedones, pimples or blackheads without severe inflammation;
- increased fat content, greasy shine;
- excessively dry skin;
- water balance disturbances;
- minor cosmetic problems on the skin (scars or acne scars).
Before applying a homemade mask for the first time, it is advisable to consult a specialist. It is not recommended to use home methods if traditional therapy is prescribed.
Homemade acne masks can also be used to prevent comedones during remission, if the skin is prone to such rashes. In this case, the composition should be as soft as possible and have a gentle effect.
Etiology of the disease
The opinion that comedones appear only in adolescents and young adults is not entirely true. They occur in up to 85% of patients under 25 years of age, after which sebum production decreases and the conditions for blockage of the glands disappear on their own. Also, women often suffer from the disease during pregnancy and at the onset of menopause, when the body experiences a significant hormonal load. The intensive development of the disease can be caused by unsanitary working or living conditions, lack of proper skin care, neglect of hygiene rules and other reasons due to which the adverse effects on the skin of the face acquire such unpleasant consequences. Refusal to treat comedones can cause the formation of scars and age spots at the site of the rash, which can only be eliminated using plastic surgery methods.
Recipes for the best homemade masks
All homemade masks vary in preparation. By combining various components you can achieve noticeable and lasting results. Below are the most effective anti-comedogenic formulations, preparation recipe and method of application:
Protein
The mask is recommended for those with oily skin and pronounced sebaceous shine. Egg yolk has a weak drying and whitening effect and rarely leads to allergies. Can be used at any age, starting from 15-16 years. To prepare, you need to mix 1 egg white, 1 tbsp. l. sugar and 2-3 drops of lemon juice. Apply to face for 20 minutes and then rinse with cool running water. You can learn about other protein masks in this material.
Made from oatmeal
The product is suitable for gentle peeling, and thanks to the large amount of vitamins and beneficial minerals in oatmeal, it effectively nourishes epidermal cells. With regular application, you can achieve whitening pigmentation and eliminate acne marks. Not recommended for working with excessively dry skin.
Soak 2 tbsp. l. oatmeal in the same amount of water, wait until it swells. Apply the composition to problem areas, wait 20 minutes. Carefully remove the mask with a swab soaked in warm chamomile infusion.
Kefir
Depending on the fat content of kefir, the product is suitable for any skin type; it is recommended for oily skin and the presence of age spots. Kefir nourishes and moisturizes the epidermis, relieves inflammation and soothes cells. Suitable for regular use, the component rarely causes allergies.
To create a mask, you only need kefir. Using a brush, apply a thin layer of the product to your face, wait for 15-20 minutes to dry. Then rinse with running water or fresh cucumber juice. You can find out about other kefir masks here.
Kefir mask against comedones can be used even if you are lactose intolerant. With this method of using the product, it does not enter the gastrointestinal tract, and therefore does not cause side effects.
From salt and soda
The composition effectively removes impurities and tightens pores. Salt has a weak antiseptic effect and effectively dries problem areas. This product is not recommended for dry and sensitive skin. You should not use salt without additional hydration of the cells.
To prepare the mask, you need to mix table salt and soda, 1 tsp each. to stir thoroughly. Lightly moisten the skin and apply a mild soap solution to it. Rub in the prepared soda mask, rinse off after 5-10 minutes with plenty of water. Do not allow the product to get into your eyes or mouth.
Rice
A rice mask helps relieve inflammation and soothe epidermal cells. The product has a weak whitening and regenerating effect and does not cause side effects. Recommended for the fight and prevention of acne at any age. Can be used for regular use.
To prepare the mask, pour 2 tbsp in the morning. l. rice with boiling water, leave in a dark place. Before use, knead the mixture to a paste and apply a thick layer to the face. Leave for 15-20 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with warm running water.
Gelatin film mask
Gelatin is one of the most popular products for making homemade masks. It is the most accessible source of plant collagen, which is necessary to maintain and preserve youthful skin. The mask cleanses, nourishes and relieves redness, and also has a whitening effect.
To prepare you need to pour 1 tbsp. l. warm water, add 1 tablet of crushed activated carbon. Wait until the composition swells, and then heat the gelatin in a water bath until liquid. Apply a thin layer to the entire surface of the face, wait until a film forms. Carefully remove the mask after 15 minutes, moisturize the skin with cream. You can find out about other masks made from activated carbon and gelatin by following the link.
Gelatin can be used not only as a component for creating an acne mask, but also as a binding ingredient. In addition, you can use it to make homemade gel or long-lasting cream.
With potatoes
Potatoes contain a large amount of starch, which has a complex effect on the skin. Effectively cleanses and nourishes cells, and is also suitable for combating inflammation and pigmentation. The potato mask can be used for any skin type, there are no contraindications. Recommended for regular use.
The recipe is very simple - you need to grind 1 fresh potato to a puree, add 1 tbsp. l. olive oil. Apply a thin layer to the face, remove with running water after 15 minutes.
Cucumber
A cucumber mask is suitable for regular cleansing of skin with comedones. The component has a drying effect, saturates cells with minerals and vitamins. Considered one of the most versatile types of masks, cucumber can be mixed with almost any skin-healthy product to obtain a comprehensive effect.
To relieve inflammation and cleanse cells, the following recipe is suitable. Mix 1 chopped cucumber and 2 tbsp. l. low-fat kefir, bring to a homogeneous mass. Apply to skin for 15 minutes, rinse with warm water or a cotton pad. After the procedure, it is advisable to use a moisturizer.
Clay
To eliminate pimples and acne, it is best to use black or white cosmetic clay. It effectively cleanses clogged pores, relieves inflammation and helps smooth out the consequences of the problem (scars and scars). To prepare, take 30 g of clay, melt it in a water bath, add 1 tsp. olive oil. Apply to the problem area, rinse off after 15-20 minutes, without waiting for the product to dry completely. After this, it is advisable to wipe the skin with a cotton pad soaked in chamomile decoction. You can learn more about clay masks for acne in the article.
To combat acne and comedones, masks based on blue or black clay with the addition of honey are actively used. The product can cause allergies, so before the first application it is important to check the body's reaction.
Gentle peeling for problem skin
To gently cleanse the epidermis, you can use honey with the addition of cinnamon. The product effectively relieves peeling, removes dirt accumulated in cells and promotes regeneration. With regular use, you can normalize metabolic processes and increase blood flow. To prepare the product, you need to mix 1 tbsp. l. any natural honey, add 5 g of cinnamon powder. Apply to skin with massage movements, rinse with warm water after 5 minutes.
With aspirin and honey
Acetylsalicylic acid is most often used in whitening and anti-inflammatory masks. Thanks to the addition of honey, cells are effectively cleansed and the severity and severity of acne is reduced. The product is not recommended in case of individual intolerance to the components or hypersensitivity.
To prepare, you need to crush 4 aspirin tablets, dilute them in 1 tbsp. l. cold water. Add 0.5 tsp to the resulting mass. honey Apply the composition to problem areas for 10-15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water and use a moisturizer or night cream. You can read about other masks with acetylsalicylic acid here.
From honey and soda
Baking soda, which is easy to find in any home, is a quality component for cosmetic masks. It has a cleansing effect, dries skin cells and normalizes the production of subcutaneous fat, and also has a weak disinfectant effect. Not recommended for sensitive epidermis; the composition should not be used for regular use.
Pour 1 tbsp. l. baking soda 100 ml water, stir until completely dissolved. Add 1 tsp. honey and mix the composition again. Gently apply to problem areas, leave for 10 minutes and then rinse with cold water. After the procedure, it is advisable to use a rich moisturizer.
Despite its safety for the body, overuse of soda can lead to irritation and redness of the skin. This chemical component must be used in doses, strictly following the recipe.
For acne spots
To prepare a mask for acne, use a combination of cucumber and honey. The product not only cleanses and draws out dirt from clogged pores, but also tones the skin. Not recommended if you are hypersensitive or allergic to bee products. Mix 1 tsp. fresh chopped cucumber and the same amount of honey. Soak gauze in the product and apply to problem areas for 15 minutes. After cleansing, it is advisable to additionally moisturize with cream.
How to treat closed comedones?
Saying goodbye to closed comedones once and for all is not an easy task. Often, when such a problem arises, ladies turn to the services of beauty salons.
Cosmetologists and dermatologists usually offer comprehensive cleansing of the facial skin and removal of acne by squeezing, that is, using a mechanical method. However, such a procedure does not always make it possible to deal with them quickly and effectively, and it also carries unpleasant pain.
Before actually starting the treatment of comedones, you need to undergo a parallel consultation with several different specialists: a gastroenterologist, a dermatologist and an endocrinologist. And only after the results are received, the doctor will comment on them, establish the exact cause, and we can talk about treatment.
There is an option that the causative agent of the disease is hidden deeper than it seems. But what you see on your face is just a reaction and a message from your body in the form of whiteheads. Therefore, even if they are removed, they can form again, then all your efforts will be in vain.
Closed comedones can be treated comprehensively. This process is directly related to the use of antibiotics - medications along with cosmetic removal of acne on the surface.
In the case of treatment of comedones, you must strictly follow a hypoallergenic diet, which involves the categorical exclusion of fatty and sweet foods from your daily diet.
Once and for all, you can forget about closed comedones only if you successfully combine the treatment of internal organs and external signs in the form of pimples, blackheads, redness and other types of irritation.
In order for the skin to quickly get rid of them, it makes sense to seek the support of professionals and carry out home care procedures at the same time.
We again focus your attention on the simple fact that it is important to contact qualified specialists who will correctly diagnose, determine the causes and ultimately prescribe adequate treatment, removing acne as carefully as possible.
You will also certainly receive advice from experts on how to properly care for your skin and how to constantly maintain cleanliness and a healthy glow. In addition, you will receive important tips and recommendations on how to eat properly.
Of course, the simplest and easiest way to get rid of pore contamination is to visit a beauty salon, where an experienced cosmetologist will thoroughly and quickly cleanse your face, making it as healthy and fresh as possible.
And yet, not everyone, not always, has the opportunity and time to visit such establishments. Therefore, you can carry out the facial cleansing procedure at home, provided that the basic rules for disinfection are followed.
Rules for applying masks
In order for masks against acne and comedones to be effective and lead to the desired lasting result, it is important not only to follow the recipe and method of application, but also to follow simple rules for use.
Always apply masks along massage lines
The main ones:
- Before the first procedure, it is important to check the skin reaction by applying a small amount of the product to the elbow area;
- Before the procedure, it is important to thoroughly cleanse the skin;
- It is also recommended to first steam the pores with a hot towel or steam;
- You should observe the regularity and frequency of applying masks, and use medications if necessary;
- adhere to the recipe, time and method of using the composition;
- You can wash off the mask with regular running water, moistened with a cotton pad or sponge.
After the procedure, it is advisable to carry out a contrast wash or wipe the skin with an ice cube, frozen decoction of mint or chamomile.
It is advisable to apply the mask in the evening. During this period, the epidermis is extremely sensitive to external influences, and if irritation occurs, the skin will have time to calm down by morning.
Contraindications and frequency of use
Despite the relative safety of homemade masks, the number and frequency of procedures should be observed. Such products are usually used for a course of up to several weeks; acne masks can be applied no more than 1-2 times a week. If you additionally use peeling, then reduce the number of procedures by half. After completing a full cosmetic course, it is advisable to take a break of up to 2 months.
You should not use such products in the presence of severe inflammation, irritation and open wounds. Before the first use, it is important to check the skin's reaction to allergies and sensitivity to the components of the composition.
Skin care rules for comedones
The main task in treating the problem is to open the pores, greatly thinning the cuticle, which prevents the rapid release of sebaceous secretions to the surface of the skin. It is for this reason that caring for skin that is strewn with closed comedones requires appropriate care measures at home.
Daily cleansing of the skin with special cosmetic products and sponges is considered, by and large, a key condition for maintaining healthy and beautiful skin. The procedure is carried out twice a day: in the morning and in the evening.
Foam cleanser is applied to moisturized facial skin. Beat it until it bubbles, then wash it off with a sponge. In this way, dead cells and any contaminants with excess fat are perfectly removed from the surface of the epidermis.
Every seven days it is necessary to carry out procedures for deeper cleansing of the skin: peeling or scrub with fruit acids (AHA and BHA). The two exfoliation procedures should not be combined, as this can lead to serious irritation.
In the treatment of comedones on the skin, it is also worth making masks with clay (blue and green) and badyagi. Nevertheless, in the case of scrub or peeling, it makes sense to apply masks approximately once a week. In all other cases, masks are allowed to be made no more than two or three times in seven days.
And before going to bed in the evening, you must carefully remove your makeup, using alcohol-free toners or high-quality cosmetic milk.
Skin that is prone to dryness needs to be moisturized every day with cream. Nevertheless, the product cannot clog pores.
Vegetable masks are very useful for the epidermis of the face with comedones - grate cucumber, carrots, zucchini on the finest grater, add a few drops of lemon juice and a few drops of olive oil to the mixture. Keep on the skin for 15 minutes and wash off with warm water.
For comedones, cosmetologists and dermatologists advise adhering to the diet, as well as eating a balanced and healthy diet.
It is necessary to reduce to a minimum and exclude from the diet foods that increase skin secretion: fatty meat, fried foods, baked goods, sweets, spices and smoked products. You need to eat more fresh vegetables, fruits and grains.
And during the summer, when applying daytime makeup, foundation cream should be replaced with loose powder. It will also not hurt to use drugs that effectively fight closed acne, which contain azelaic acid, which slows down the growth, necrosis and keratinization of epidermal cells.
However, the drugs do not provide immediate results. The skin will quickly become thin and the pores will open, releasing white plugs after three months of constant use.
Results
- Comedon is a type of acne. It is a cyst that occurs against the background of blockage of the mouth of the hair follicle; it can be closed or open.
- To create homemade acne masks, pharmaceutical products and food products are used that have a cleansing, drying and anti-inflammatory effect.
- The most popular ingredients are clay, egg white, honey, gelatin, rice, potatoes, cucumber, oatmeal and kefir.
- Cosmetic procedures to combat and prevent the appearance of comedones are used in a course lasting up to a month. The optimal frequency of application is 2 times a week.