A vast majority of people will experience some form of acne at least once in their life. Acne appears when a sebaceous gland becomes inflamed. Acne and blemishes can come in many different shapes and textures. A very common acne blemish is a whitehead.
A whitehead occurs when a pore is blocked, and build-up of oil, dead skin cells, or bacteria begins to clog the area. The pore becomes closed and a whitehead forms.
A whitehead is different from a blackhead. A whitehead usually appears white, while a blackhead is darker. A blackhead is typically extracted from under the skin, while whiteheads aren't extracted, but they can often be popped.
Sometimes, whiteheads can get infected or inflamed, causing them to rise into a pustule. This creates a pocket of white pus at the tip of a pimple.
Although whiteheads can be pretty pesky, annoying, and sometimes even painful, they typically heal quickly. Preventative measures can also be taken to maximize your chances of having a clear skin day.
Causes
Many people tend to believe that acne is caused by a lack of hygiene. However, this is an absolute myth. You can be extremely hygienic and still have bouts of acne; there is no direct link between hygiene and acne.
Although hygiene isn’t a cause of acne, there are quite a few different causes of whiteheads. Whiteheads form when a bacteria named Propionibacterium acnes contaminates a pore that has already been clogged. This bacteria is naturally found on the skin.
Whiteheads can also appear during a woman's menstrual cycle. This can happen due to hormonal changes. The same goes for puberty in both men and women as well as women's birth control. Both of these affect hormonal balances, which can change skin texture or cause acne.
If you have naturally oily skin, you may produce excess sebum, which can play a role in whitehead formation. Genetics can also determine how likely you are to get whiteheads. Those with acne-prone skin are more likely to develop whiteheads on a more regular basis.
Certain weather conditions can aggravate the skin and cause whiteheads. High levels of heat or humidity can cause sweat, which can clog your pores, resulting in whiteheads. Some facial and cosmetic products can also incite the sensitivity of your skin, causing these pesky blemishes. Make sure to pay attention to which products break you out!
Whitehead Removal & Treatment
Although having whiteheads on your face can be rather annoying, they are not too stubborn to get rid of. But most people don’t know how to remove or treat their whiteheads.
The most common way in which people try to remove their whiteheads is through popping them. Although popping a pimple might seem like the easiest way to get rid of one, it is advised that you do the opposite. Popping a pimple can cause more bacteria to get trapped in the pore. It can also irritate the blemish or create a scar.
Many popular treatments for whiteheads are all natural and affordable. Witch Hazel, Tea Tree Oil, and Aloe Vera are all great options for whitehead treatment. Using any of these, or a combination of the three, to spot treat your acne-prone areas will help your whiteheads disappear.
Products targeted towards acne-prone skin typically contain one of two main acne-fighting ingredients: Salicylic Acid or Benzoyl Peroxide. Both of these are acne-fighting agents. They work by drying the pimple out. These products can be purchased over the counter or recommended by a dermatologist.
Some people prefer to use acne masks or overnight spot treatments for their whiteheads. This is a highly effective method because you're giving it a long time to sink in and work. A mask can help suck the bacteria and oil out of your pores while a spot treatment can help target a pimple and dry it out. A lot of people tend to use toothpaste to spot treat.
For more severe cases of whitehead acne, some dermatologists may recommend a trial of acne medications. These may come in the form of birth control, Spironolactone, or another pill. These drugs work by controlling the acne from the inside out. Therefore, medications may be a great option from those suffering from uncontrollable acne.
Whitehead Prevention
There are some great ways to prevent getting whiteheads when you least expect them. The first is by steaming your face with a special face steamer. Face steamers work to prevent whiteheads by opening the pores and cleansing them. This will prevent blockages and clogging that causes whiteheads.
Light exfoliation once a week can help remove dead skin cells and debris from pores, preventing whiteheads. However, excessive exfoliation and scrubbing can do the opposite, so you should be mindful of that when creating your skin care routine. Exfoliate moderately!
Medications are great options for whitehead problems. If you have reoccurring whiteheads that don't seem to heal, a topical or oral medication may do the trick. Select products for acne-prone skin with acne fighting ingredients may help prevent these breakouts as well.
Regular facial cleansing as part of your routine will help to avoid blackheads by removing the dead skin cells from your face. However, similarly to exfoliation, make sure not to over-wash your face. Washing excessively can backfire and cause more facial oils, which in turn can lead to more acne.
When picking out products for your skin care routine, make sure to go with ingredients that are beneficial for your skin type. If you are prone to whiteheads, definitely purchase oil-free products. This will keep your pores from clogging.
Consider buying facial cleansers that contain ingredients like aloe vera, tea tree oil, and witch hazel. You might also want to try facial products with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. These products will help prevent whiteheads.
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