Blackheads Appear Beyond the Face, Experts Explain Causes and Prevention

Many people believe blackheads only affect the face, but these blemishes can appear anywhere on the body, including the back, chest, shoulders, neck, and behind the ears. According to Dr. Hamidah Mohd. Salleh, CEO of Lovina Clinic, blackheads, or open comedones, form when pores get blocked by a mixture of skin oil, dead cells, and dirt. When this blockage is exposed to air, it oxidizes, causing the surface to turn black.

"Many assume the black color comes from dirt, but it's actually from oxidation when the contents of the pore are exposed to oxygen," Dr. Hamidah told Utusan Malaysia. She explained that blackheads can develop on any part of the body with hair follicles and oil glands. However, areas like the back, chest, shoulders, and neck are more prone due to a higher concentration of oil glands and follicles.

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Many assume the black color comes from dirt, but it's actually from oxidation when the contents of the pore are exposed to oxygen.

The back, in particular, often becomes a primary site for blackheads because it's difficult to clean thoroughly and accumulates sweat, oil, and dead skin cells. This mixture can increase the risk of clogged pores, especially for active individuals or those who sweat easily. "Sweat alone doesn't cause blackheads. The problem arises when sweat is left to dry and mixes with oil and dirt on the skin, blocking the pores," she clarified.

To prevent this, individuals who sweat a lot should shower soon after physical activity and change into clean clothes to avoid the buildup of sweat and dirt. Maintaining balanced skin hygiene is crucial. If not cleaned properly, dirt, oil, and dead skin cells can accumulate and clog pores. However, scrubbing the skin too harshly during showers can damage its protective layer. Wearing overly tight clothing can also increase the risk by hindering skin ventilation and trapping heat and moisture. This risk is higher with less breathable fabrics like polyester, especially for active people. Opting for looser, well-ventilated clothing can help reduce the chance of clogged pores.

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Sweat alone doesn't cause blackheads. The problem arises when sweat is left to dry and mixes with oil and dirt on the skin, blocking the pores.