While all pimples are no fun, blackheads can be some of the most annoying to deal with: They are abundant, hard to hide and just keep coming back. "Blackheads, which are medically known as open comedones, are pores filled with oil or sebum, debris, and dead skin cells," explains Robyn Gmyrek, M.D., a dermatologist at Park View Laser Dermatology in New York City. The oily mixture sits at the surface opening of the pore, where it gets oxidized by air and turns a black or gray color.Blackheads and whiteheads are typically the earliest signs of acne, explains Ife Rodney, M.D., a dermatologist and founding director of Eternal Dermatology in Fulton, MD. The main difference between them is that blackheads appear dark due to the pores being open, while "whiteheads are closed comedones, meaning that the surface of the plugged follicle is covered by a thin layer of skin, creating a lighter color."But before you get your fingers in position to squeeze those blackheads (yes, it is okay; see below...
