Most people are well-informed on how to treat acne caused by blackheads. Most of the time, blackheads pop up on the face. This is a common occurrence and usually treatable. But why do blackheads appear in the inner thighs or at the back of the thighs? The cause of blackheads will always remain the same. However, the treatment is much more versatile and differs from skin to skin. Thigh acne can cause frustration, and understandably so.
Therefore, let us talk about how to deal with blackheads on inner thighs and treatment options.
What Are Blackheads?
A blackhead is an open skin pore that is clogged with dead skin cells, hair follicles, excess oil, and bacteria. Blackhead breakouts are a skin condition that can cause painful lumps on the surface of the skin. The reason it is called a blackhead is that its top turns black when exposed to air. This forms a comedone which is considered non-inflammatory. However, infected blackheads can become quite painful and uncomfortable.
Blackheads can persist on the skin for months if they are not extracted. However, they multiply quickly, and the outer layer of the skin doesn't shed quickly enough. As a result, blackheads occur on the skin's surface, and you need to be vigilant in your skincare to get rid of blackheads. An excellent exfoliating product might do the trick on facial acne caused by blackheads. However, treating blackheads on the inner side of the thighs can prove to be tricky.
On the one hand, you can treat blackheads with over-the-counter medication and topical ointments. On the other hand, facial blackheads cause irritated skin. However, skin irritation will also be present in the inner thigh if you get blackhead breakouts. Furthermore, thigh blackheads are painful because the skin surface on the thighs is super sensitive. Nevertheless, inner thigh blackheads can be successfully treated and prevented, and we discuss this next.
What Causes Blackhead Breakouts On Your Inner Thighs?
1) Dirt, Sweat And Friction
All these factors are super common, especially if you live in a hot environment or you do strenuous activities. Sweat coupled with friction and dirt in the inner thigh area can lead to severe skin problems. However, the good thing about these factors is that we have control over them. If you have poor personal Hygiene, this can also be a factor that encourages dirt buildup. Additionally, all these three factors create the perfect environment for blackheads in the inner thighs.
On the one hand, dirt and excessive sweating will definitely result in clogged pores on the inner thighs. On the other hand, dirt and sweat are regular on everyone, especially when you are always on the move, or at the gym, or generally going through normal everyday activities. As a result, your skin pores get clogged in your inner thighs, and this results in painful blackheads. As previously stated, some blackheads last for months; however, deep blackheads can last for many years.
On the other hand, tight clothing such as nylon, jeans and even leggings can cause some severe chaffing in the thigh area. Repetitive friction is damaging to the inner thighs. It also promotes sweating. Your skin won't breathe as well, and this results in seriously irritated skin. Dirty clothes are also a factor that progresses the skin problem in the inner thighs. If you wear a piece of clothing repetitively without laundering it, you are encouraging blackheads on inner thighs.
There are many causes for excessive sweat around the inner thigh area. It can be attributed to the following factors:
- Tight and unbreathable clothing
- Hot weather
- Anxiety
- Physical exertion
- Obesity
2) Excess Oil Production
Everyone has oil glands on the skin that produce sebum. Sebum protects the skin from UV and locks in moisture on the surface of the skin. Sebaceous glands exist everywhere on the skin. In some places, they are more in number compared to other places. Blackheads on inner thighs can also be formed as a result of excess oil production by the sebaceous glands. It is important to note that inner thigh skin contains many oil-producing glands.
While blackheads around the thigh area are not common in most people, you should seek professional medical advice if your inner thigh skin begins to produce too much oil. Additionally, your inner thighs are prone to blackheads due to sebum buildup. This occurrence is especially common if you don't have a daily routine to wash your skin. As long as you keep your skin clean and the affected area free from sebum, you should be okay.
While sebum is very beneficial for the outer layer of the skin, it can also inhibit a colony of the acne bacteria. If you are not careful, blackheads can pop up everywhere, including on the chest and back area as well. Sebum can clog up any pore. Therefore, the inner thighs are no exception. If you don't wash up well after any form of physical exertion that makes you sweat, you are more prone to blackheads. Apart from blackheads, you are also prone to other skin problems.
3) Genetics
Genetics determine how much sebum is produced by your skin. This means that genetics also play a role in your risk of developing inner thigh acne. Hormonal changes in the body with puberty can also cause inner thigh acne. Furthermore, overproduction of sebum will lead to oily skin and therefore trapping bacteria and dead skin cells in the pores or hair follicles. As a consequence, this will lead to frequent breakouts and inner thigh blackheads.
It might be harder to treat or prevent blackheads if the cause is genetic. However, it requires a daily routine of treatment incorporated into your everyday life. For example, overactive sebaceous glands might be the fault of genetics, but you can treat excess sebum production. Managing blackheads on inner thighs is not something easy to do. But with the right skincare brands, products and professional medical advice, any skin problem can successfully be treated.
While we appreciate the fact that some blackhead breakouts have a genetic component to them, we also appreciate it might not be easy to accept. In most instances, the causes of blackheads on inner thighs is attributed to lifestyle or environment. Therefore, the genetic component is much less an aspect of people's blackhead breakouts. However, all blackheads are treatable and preventable, so all hope is not lost if you have thigh blackheads.
How To Treat Inner Thigh Blackheads
Before you pick out an option for treating blackheads on your inner thighs, you should lay out all your options. Currently, there are home remedies that some people swear by, and there are also remedies from professional medical advice which other people consider their Holy grail. We will lay out all the options so that you know the available options and their upsides as well as downsides.
1) Professional Skincare Remedies
These are remedies that are dermatologist-approved. They work by gently dissolving any blackheads on the inner thigh skin. Additionally, they leave your skin soft and give you a healthy glow. They also work by promoting cell turnover to give you new skin. They are perfectly safe and have been thoroughly tested. Furthermore, they are an excellent solution for blackheads and are the best treatment for stubborn comedones such as blackheads. Here are some professional remedies:
1a) Cleansing
The inner thighs are very sensitive. The first step to getting rid of inner thigh blackheads is cleansing. A good cleanser with no oil should do the trick. Furthermore, looking for a mild soap is also recommended. A soap that dries out the skin might initially sound good. However, it will simply cause your sebaceous glands to go into overdrive and produce more oil. Trust us; you don't want that. It will lead to more breakouts with increased severity.
Using a cotton ball dipped in warm water, you can gently rub or massage the water-soluble soap into the thigh skin. The circular motion will gently dissolve any excess sebum on the surface of the skin. It will also wash away any dirt and sweat that is present on the skin. This itself is enough to be a preventative measure on its own. However, it should be done on a daily basis to discourage the growth of any bacteria.
Thigh blackheads can be super painful. Therefore, any cleansing product that is safe to use on the face is also safe enough for the inner thighs. Furthermore, you can also use your regular mild facial cleanser to give your thigh skin a good cleansing. However, soap and water alone won't remove all the dirt and sweat buildup. Therefore incorporating a mild non-comedogenic facial cleanser into clearing the blackheads on inner thighs is very safe.
Lastly, you should ensure that any of the products you use are free of parabens, alcohol, sulfates and fragrances. These ingredients make the skin worse because they are overly drying. Furthermore, they can cause severe allergic reactions such as hives, redness, welts and a burning sensation. Ensuring your skin is safe should be the first step towards achieving healthy skin. If you are prone to crippling allergies, it is always better to conduct a patch test first before using a product.
1b) Chemical Exfoliation
Exfoliating your skin regularly is one of the best methods to clear blackheads. Why? Chemical exfoliants dissolve any dirt, grime, dead skin cells, hardened sebum and hair follicles. As a result, they ensure that the outer layer of the skin is shedding faster. This, in turn, ensures that new skin cells grow as soon as possible. In addition, chemical exfoliation is gentle enough for the inner thighs. In fact, if your inner thighs feel sensitive or painful due to blackheads, then chemical exfoliation is the perfect remedy.
There are chemical exfoliants such as salicylic acid, which falls under the (BHA exfoliants) which are a good option for a chemical exfoliant. Others like alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) also work well to dissolve any blackhead-causing agents such as dead skin cells in the skin pores of the inner thighs. There is only one single beta hydroxy acid (BHA) which is salicylic acid. Alpha hydroxy acids consist of:
- Glycolic acid
- Mandelic acid
- Lactic acid
- Citric acid
- Hydroxy caprylic acid
Chemical exfoliation might sound intimidating. However, it is a painless method used to quickly slough off the top layer of the skin. Furthermore, it alleviates clogged pores and hair follicles. It is very safe to use salicylic acid on the thighs or any product with salicylic. Some cleansers and face washes consist of at least 2% salicylic acid. This is usually a good sign, and your blackheads should begin to clear after at least six to eight weeks of regular use.
Using an alpha hydroxy acid is also a safe method of exfoliation. However, they are primarily water-soluble. This means that they have a limited penetration. However, that doesn't mean that they don't work. They are just very gentle on the skin compared to a beta hydroxy acid. For people with very sensitive skin, an AHA might work to restore balance, reduce the appearance of skin pores and add smoothness to their skin.
1c) Moisturizing
Starting a skincare journey for your inner thighs will not be easy. And sometimes, treatment consists of making mistakes before finding a suitable moisturizer. When looking for a skin moisturizer, it is best to go with one that is water-based. An oil-based moisturizer will contribute to clogged pores and make the blackheads on inner thighs worse than they already are. Furthermore, moisturizing products with hyaluronic are some of the best.
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant. This means it draws more moisture into the skin to leave it feeling moisturized. Consequently, it doesn't like a cast on the skin and is usually lightweight. So your skin will feel always feel moisturized when hyaluronic is an ingredient in your moisturizer. Additionally, it helps the skin to hold on to as much water as possible. This will significantly improve the appearance of the skin.
Other than that, it also creates a beautiful plumping effect that reduces the appearance of any dry or patchy skin. In addition, it leaves the affected areas of the skin feeling less irritated. Furthermore, when the skin is relaxed and hydrated, it regenerates more and faster by the day. Therefore, you will have smooth and blemish-free skin in no time. Furthermore, you can use hyaluronic acid every day to help regenerate skin cells.
As long as you apply hyaluronic every day and on clean but damp skin, then seal it in with a moisturizer, then your skin should feel rejuvenated. To get rid of blackheads permanently, you can never skip the moisturizing process. Blackheads on inner thighs are annoying and painful. The sooner treatment begins, the better for the blackheads on your thighs. Additionally, using hyaluronic or products with hyaluronic will give you a brighter appearance.
2) Home Remedies
Home remedies are also considered to be a "natural remedy" because of the natural ingredients. They are inexpensive, and you can probably pick them from the kitchen pantry. However, home remedy methods are not always advised, especially if you don't know what you are doing. In the desperation to get rid of blackheads, you might have come across a home remedy. Sometimes these remedies work for others, and sometimes they don't. So let's get to it.
2a) Cleansing
Gram flour mixed with yogurt mixture can be good for the skin. There is an ayurvedic component to using a gram flour and yogurt mixture for the face. Some of the benefits include removing dead skin cells, and you can also get rid of blackheads. Gram flour is rich in antioxidants, proteins, and minerals. Furthermore, it is gentle for the face and will not react negatively with your skin. The yogurt contains lactic acid, which is an excellent way to firm and tighten the skin.
To use, mix equal parts of gram flour and yogurt in a bowl and mix it thoroughly. If possible, refrigerate the yogurt for a cooling effect on the skin. Next, apply a thin layer of the mixture to your face. Do not massage it or rub it into the skin. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wash it off. Pat your skin dry for a moisturized and soft feeling. If you want to get rid of blackheads faster, you can always add a pinch of turmeric to the mixture for its antibacterial properties.
2b) Exfoliation
A baking soda scrub can do wonders for skin with blackheads. It is a manual or mechanical exfoliation method to get rid of blackheads on the inner side of the thighs. Additionally, it is a treatment that has been around for a long time. So we might as well try it out. Baking soda has mild exfoliating properties; hence it might be safe to use on the skin. Additionally, it has very fine particles which won't cause micro-cuts on the thighs if used carefully.
To make an exfoliating mask, you should mix one tablespoon of baking soda with one tablespoon of water. Instead of pure water, you can also use rose water. It is mild and doesn't contain any chemicals. After the mixture has become a paste, you can apply it gently to your skin. If you are tempted to rub or massage it in, you shouldn't. Rubbing the baking soda paste into your skin could cause irreparable damage. Not to mention it has a very rough texture. After it sits for a few minutes, you can then wash it off.
2c) Moisturizing
The final step of trying to get rid of blackheads is hydration. Hydration is super important for healthy skin. It is the final part of treatment, and without it, healthy and smooth skin cannot be achieved. Apart from that, treating blackheads on inner thighs can dry out your skin. Therefore, dealing with dry skin is also a side-effect of having to treat blackheads on inner thighs. Furthermore, it is essential to get rid of dead skin cells on your inner thighs, and a moisturizer that does both is awesome.
Aloe Vera is a plant you can get in most home gardens. It is a natural humectant. Applying aloe vera on the skin surface not only moisturizes your skin it also calms down any irritated patches. Furthermore, it has healing properties and will shrink infected blackheads with a few uses. Aloe vera is an essential ingredient to get rid of blackheads. It also has antibacterial properties. You can apply aloe vera gel directly from the plant or use a store-bought one without an issue.
3) Prescribed Medication
If your skin needs more than a three-step procedure for treating blackheads, then there are prescribed medications you can take. However, it would be best if you branched the subject to a dermatologist or licensed skincare professional before taking any medication. Most of the time, medicine is prescribed for situations that have a genetic component or a hormonal issue. However, if you do not need this treatment, then you should not try it out.
There are medications that tame overactive oil glands. Most of the time, an oral retinoid is prescribed and used in the treatment of such conditions. Some of those medications include:
3a) Aldactone
A change in hormone level can affect your skin by producing too much oil. Too much oil becomes trapped in the skin pores along with dead skin cells. As a result, tiny little bumps with black tops start to appear on your skin. Furthermore, they can be painful and sensitive to touch or friction. Blackheads on inner thighs need to be treated, or they can stay on the skin for years. We have already discussed other skincare routines that will significantly improve the skin.
Aldactone is an anti-androgen drug that can help to contain raging hormones. Additionally, a prescription from your doctor should help to reduce the volume of blackheads on inner thighs. Additionally, it is crucial that you understand that Aldactone actively reduces too much oil production on the skin. However, it still has side effects such as an upset stomach, tender breasts, and dehydration. Furthermore, it is not recommended for anyone trying to become pregnant.
3b) Isotretinoin (Accutane)
Accutane is an oral drug made from Vitamin A. It is effective at treating blackheads on inner thighs by tightening the pores on your skin. This controls the amount of sebum that your skin produces. Accutane is prescribed only for very serious cases. If the blackheads on inner thighs can't be treated by over-the-counter medication, then you can prevent blackheads from forming on your skin with this. While it might appear like a good idea, you should also know that all medications have side effects.
If no other drugs have worked for your skin, then Accutane is prescribed. Additionally, this drug is never prescribed as a first form of treatment. It is only prescribed when no other topical creams have worked and there is no significant improvement in your skin. Furthermore, you should also know that Accutane takes about 12 weeks to start working. This means that before your skin gets better, it will get significantly worse.
3c) Contraceptives
Oral contraceptives can help to manage oily skin and sooner get rid of blackheads. However, as we have previously stated, every medication has side effects. It directly limits the production of testosterone which in turn limits the production of oil on the surface of your skin. You can get rid of blackheads by using contraceptives in prescribed dosages. Before you take contraceptives, you should discuss it with your doctor.
Oral contraceptives usually affect everyone in a different way. The symptoms of your side effects might not be the same as someone else's experience when they tried to get rid of blackheads. Additionally, the inner side of the thigh can be very sensitive and painful if it has blackheads and infected follicles. Some side effects of using oral contraceptives include moodiness, headaches, nausea, and even high blood pressure.
How To Prevent Blackheads On Inner Thighs
We all agree that blackheads on the thighs are frustrating. First of all, the location of the blackheads is embarrassing and inconvenient. Also, it is not easy to waddle by when your thighs become too sensitive as a result of blackheads. Secondly, without treatment, infection sets in, and it can cause hidradenitis suppurativa. This is a super painful infection that becomes so bad; it will actually leak pus. No one wants that. So here are some tips to prevent blackheads on inner thighs.
i) Wearing loose pants
Wearing loose pants reduces the risk of too much friction and chaffing. If you already have the blackheads on your inner thighs, then you should wear loose clothing at all times. Furthermore, loose clothing keeps your skin aerated, and sweat dries immediately it appears on the skin. This way, you aren't spreading any bacteria and dirt around your thighs.
ii) Keeping Hygiene
Maintaining good hygiene is an effective prevention method. When the skin produces sebum, it is naturally moisturizing itself. However, sebum is waterproof, and it forms a protective layer on the skin. If too much is being produced, then it clogs the pores leading to blackheads. So, after a long day walking up and down, sweat, dirt and grime get trapped within the protective layer of sebum and hair follicles. Bathing with soap is necessary to remove any dirt. This goes a long way in keeping your pores open.
iii) Skincare Routine
A good skincare routine is essential. The three-step process is super important. Cleansing, which involves removing dirt and sweat buildup from the surface of your skin. The second is exfoliation, and before you ask, yes, you can exfoliate your whole body. Just be careful. And lastly, moisturizing is super important to keep your skin hydrated. You don't have to exfoliate your body every day. You can do it once a week, and it will be sufficient.
iv) Professional Advice
If you have a genetic predisposition, or you have had blackheads on inner thighs, then consult a doctor. Preventing blackheads is always better than curing them. A doctor will recommend a treatment plan, and you should always feel free to air out your concerns. Furthermore, coming up with a preventive plan is super important if you fear that you might get blackheads on your inner thighs. A repeat bout of thigh blackheads can be frustrating.
What Not To Do When You Get Blackheads
There are some practices that you should not under any circumstance attempt if you have blackheads. While most of these practices might sound harmless, they cause blackheads to become infected. An infected blackhead is painful and uncomfortable.
- Squeezing blackheads: If you are not a skincare professional, then don't attempt to remove a blackhead physically. If you do, you might cause a bigger skin problem. It might be satisfying, but you are damaging your skin.
- Using toothpaste: This was a method people used a while ago. Toothpaste generally has ingredients that will shrink an infected blackhead overnight. However, it will not dissolve the blackhead itself, leaving you where you started off.
- Touching: Yes, touching your blackheads could cause more infection. On a daily basis, we touch a lot of things. This transfers bacteria to the hands, and when you touch a blackhead, you might unknowingly cause infection. If you cannot help it, ensure that you sanitize regularly.
- Using oily products: As we have already mentioned, the cause of blackheads is trapped oil in the pores. Therefore, when you use any oily products on your skin, it serves as a magnet for dust, dirt, and sweat. This will make the blackheads worse because more oil is being trapped in the pores.
Bottom Line
Blackheads can remain on the skin for many years. When they start becoming painful and swollen, then it might be time to see a dermatologist. Usually, blackheads are just a black-covered bump on the skin. However, they can quickly become acne when they get infected. Sometimes, skin transformation seems futile when you are battling a blackhead outbreak. While you might be tempted to use home remedies, you should probably consult your doctor first.
