What causes skin darkening? A doctor explains the types and how to remove them!

What Causes Your Blackheads? skin darkening check sheet

There are different types of skin darkening. Let’s explain the type of blackheads you are concerned about, along with a check sheet.

skin darkening check sheet

• Strong scrubbing with a nylon towel or body brush when washing the body
• wearing tight underwear
• often wears synthetic clothing
• Using a razor to trim armpit hair
• Tampering with pimples or mosquito bites
• Continuing to use unsuitable cosmetics
• itchy skin, itchy
• Black keratin plugs clogging the pores on the nose and cheeks
• The area where pores are conspicuous feels rough to the touch
• no UV care

types of blackheads

What types of blackheads are there?

[Type 1 of blackheads] Friction melasma

Frictional melasma, which tends to occur in people who wash their bodies vigorously with a nylon towel or body brush, who wear tight underwear, and who often wear synthetic fabrics. “is.

Frictional melasma refers to pigmentation in which melanin pigments and other substances are deposited on the skin due to repeated rubbing of the skin, causing the skin to turn darker.

[Type 2 of darkening] Inflammatory pigmentation

“Inflammatory pigmentation” develops in people who use razors or tweezers when removing unwanted hair, people who mess with skin inflammations such as acne and insect bites, and people who continue to use cosmetics that do not suit them. It’s easy to get blackheads.

Inflamed skin with brown pigmentation is called inflammatory pigmentation.

[Type 3 of blackheads] Darkening of pores

A big cause of dark spots on the face may be blackheads. Blackheads tend to appear in people who do not have UV care, such as black keratin plugs in the pores on the nose and cheeks, roughness when touched where the pores are conspicuous.

Cause of blackheads

What causes each blackhead?

[Causes of frictional melasma] Applying strong stimuli excessively for a long period of time

Friction and irritation are the main causes of darkening. For example, rubbing the skin vigorously with a nylon towel or body brush, or wearing tight underwear can cause darkening.

[Causes of inflammatory pigmentation] Skin inflammation and rash

Dark spots can also be caused by rashes caused by using cosmetics that do not suit your skin, or inflammation caused by acne or insect bites. Rubbing or touching the inflamed area often irritates the skin, causing excessive production of melanin pigment and darkening. Also, scratching the itch because it is unbearable causes scars on the skin, and the scars cause pigmentation and darkening.

What areas are prone to darkening (pigmentation)?

Let me tell you where dark spots (pigmentation) are likely to occur.

[Parts prone to darkening 1] Armpits, outer arms, elbows, knees

One of the areas where darkening is likely to occur is the armpit. The armpits are easily irritated and inflamed by using a razor or tweezers to treat the hair. Darkening is also likely to occur due to friction from clothing, etc.

In addition, it is said that darkening is likely to occur on the outside of the arms, elbows, and knees. For example, if you frequently bend your elbows or stand on your knees, dark spots are more likely to occur. Scrubbing the skin with a nylon towel or body brush can also cause blackheads.

[Parts prone to darkening 2] Bikini line and delicate zone

Be careful of the bikini line and delicate zone. Hyperpigmentation can also occur due to tight underwear, rubbing against cloth, strong rubbing with toilet paper, or rashes such as napkins.

[Parts prone to darkening 3] Face and whole body

Inflammation of the skin on the face and body can also cause dark spots. Do not continue to use cosmetics that do not suit your skin, play with pimples, pimples, or scars, or touch them excessively.

How to remove, improve, and treat dark spots (pigmentation)

Blackheads can sometimes be improved and treated by a dermatologist. Let’s take a look at how dermatologists treat blackheads.

[How to remove, improve, and treat dark spots 1] Laser treatment

One of the treatments for blackheads is laser treatment. This is a method that irradiates a laser on the darkened area and destroys the melanin pigment little by little. It is also effective for relatively deep dark spots such as frictional melasma. It is expected to have some effect not only on the darkening of pigmentation, but also on the darkening of pores.

[How to remove, improve, and treat blackheads 2] Peeling

“Peeling” is a treatment that applies a drug to the skin to remove old dead skin cells that have darkened and promotes the regeneration of new skin. It is not very effective for deep dark spots such as frictional melasma, but it is effective for superficial pigmentation. Peeling also has the effect of normalizing skin turnover and reduces darkening due to pigmentation.

[How to remove, improve, and treat blackheads 3] Medicine

There is also a treatment with ointments and oral medicines that act on blackheads. For ointments, there are creams containing hydroquinone, which is called a skin whitening agent, and tretinoin, which speeds up skin turnover. Oral medicines include vitamin C and tranexamic acid.

Blackheads (pigmentation) treatment costs and insurance coverage

The cost of blackhead treatment varies depending on the type of treatment. Laser treatment is about 10,000 yen per session, and chemical peel treatment is about 5,000 yen per session. In addition, the treatment cost varies depending on the size and location of the darkened area, so it is a good idea to check the website of the hospital you are visiting or ask at your first visit.

Regarding insurance, there are some that are approved for application depending on the disease. We recommend that you check this on your first visit.

Preventive care method for dark spots (pigmentation)

We will explain what you can do to prevent blackheads.

[Preventive care for blackheads 1] Reduce friction

A major cause of darkening is irritation caused by friction. Reducing the friction that causes this will prevent darkening. for example,

• Avoid tight underwear
• Do not use nylon towels or body brushes
• Do not scrub your body
• Be gentle when using toilet paper or tissues

Etc. It’s all about what you can do right away, so please try it.

[Preventive care for blackheads 2] Eliminate inflammation and rashes

Preventing skin inflammation and rashes is one way to prevent darkening. Stop self-hair removal, which tends to cause inflammation, and suppress inflammation such as acne and insect bites with medicine. This time of year, it might be a good idea to devise a mask so that your skin doesn’t get stuffy.

[Preventive care for blackheads 3] Maintain normal turnover

If the turnover of the skin is disturbed, the melanin pigment will continue to stay in the skin, resulting in dark spots. In order to maintain a normal turnover, pay attention to your eating habits, such as eating a well-balanced diet and actively ingesting vitamin C. Getting a good night’s sleep can also help reduce dark spots.

What causes blackheads?

Why do blackheads occur? I will explain the cause.

[Cause of darkening of pores 1] Clogging of pores

The cause of blackheads is that the pores are clogged with sebum and keratin (protein), forming keratin plugs, which oxidize and turn black. If the turnover of the skin is disturbed, sebum and keratin will be difficult to be discharged, making it easier for keratin plugs to form.

[Cause of dark pores 2] Deposition of melanin pigment

If you look closely at the blackheads in your pores, you may find that the area around the pores is dark. The true identity of this darkening is melanin pigment. The reason why this happens is that inflammation around the pores due to acne, pimples, strong irritation, etc. causes a large amount of melanin to accumulate, resulting in dark spots.

How to deal with and cure blackheads in pores?

We will show you how to deal with blackheads and how to get rid of them. If you are having trouble, why not give it a try?

[How to deal with and cure blackheads 1] Wash your face gently and carefully

Keeping the skin clean is important for blackheads. When washing your face, roll a generous amount of foam over your face. The T-zone between the eyebrows, nose, and chin are particularly prone to clogging with sebum and dirt, so please wash them carefully.

[How to deal with and cure blackheads 2] Keep the makeup on as short as possible

Foundation is what causes clogged pores. Foundation tends to get into the pores, so be sure to thoroughly cleanse it after applying makeup. It is also recommended to keep your make-up on as short as possible. As soon as you get home, remove your makeup and remove foundation from your pores.

[How to deal with and cure blackheads 3] Lead a regular life

To get rid of blackheads in pores, normalize skin turnover. To do this, make sure you get enough sleep and eat a well-balanced diet.

Friction and inflammation are the enemies of blackheads. Avoid rubbing the skin as much as possible, wash gently, and try to suppress any inflammation. Also, if you are concerned about darkening, treating it at a clinic is one way. Let’s aim for skin without dark spots with treatment, coping and care methods.

Supervisor profile

Takamitsu Nakano, Director of Yoshi Clinic

In 1997, graduated from the University of Tsukuba School of Medicine. She entered the Department of Plastic Surgery at Tokyo Women’s Medical University. After working at the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the University of Tokyo, and the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Nihon University School of Medicine, she spent two years researching burns at the University of Texas in the United States. After returning to Japan, she obtained a doctorate in medicine. In June 2019, he opened “Yoshi Clinic” in Nerima.
She is a plastic surgery specialist of the Japan Society of Plastic Surgery, a burn specialist of the Japan Society for Burns, a laser specialist of the Japan Society of Laser Medicine, a hand surgery specialist of the Japanese Society of Hand Surgery, a specialist in pediatric plastic surgery of the Japan Society of Plastic Surgery, and a Doctor of Medicine.