February 10, 2020
What are whiteheads and why do they usually form? What causes whiteheads and how do we get rid of them? Can anyone develop whiteheads?
What Are Whiteheads?
Whiteheads are usually known as a mild form of acne that appear as small, round white bumps on one’s skin surface and occurs when a pore gets clogged with sebum, dead skin cells and debris.It is very bothering to see that whiteheads are scattered on your face, especially on the nose. They are also known asmilia.
Whiteheads are somewhat different from blackheads even though they both fall under the category of comedones. Whiteheads occur when the top of the pore is closed whereas blackheads do occur when the pores are open and exposed to air. Whiteheads do sit on the surface of the skin and are considered as closed comedones. They don’t turn black unlike blackheads do as the sebum found within the pore does not oxidize from air exposure.
Whiteheads commonly appear on the face, shoulders, neck, chest and even the back. They are usually clogged pores covered with a thin skin layer and range in size – they can be sometimes so small that they look invisible or even grow into large noticeable acne blemishes. Though whiteheads are not really that painful, they are unpleasant to look at. Whiteheads generally do not exhibit redness or swelling since they are not inflammatory.
Whiteheads are common for people with oily skin and oily skin is common for those who are undergoing hormonal changes, like teenagers and pregnant women. Genetic and foods can also be blamed among the causes.
Whiteheads can be a bit challenging to treat and get rid of as they have closed ends, making it hard to extract the plug.
This type or form of acne can lead to permanent scarring.
Trivial facts about whiteheads:
* Other causes of whiteheads include perspiration and reactions to skin care products and fabrics.
* Gently washing the skin twice a day with mild soap and lukewarm water can help get rid of whiteheads.
* Your personal habits may also worsen the presence of acne and whiteheads.
What Causes Whiteheads?
Generally, a variety of factors play a role in the development or occurrence of whiteheads and these include our cleansing routines, lifestyle habits and genetics. One main cause of whiteheads would be the hormonal changes and fluctuations in our hormonal levels.
What factors can lead to whitehead breakouts?
Whiteheads are usually evident when a body is attempting to push out or fight an infection as it is an indication of a skin’s effort to push out any present bacteria. Whiteheads can also be caused by exposing yourself too much to the sun’s harmful rays.
Where Do Whiteheads Usually Appear?
Whiteheads may be everywhere – they can develop on our T-zone (nose, chin and forehead). They can also appear on the chest, back, shoulders and arms. They can appear both in men and women at any age, regardless of whether they had problems with whiteheads during teens or not at all.
Whiteheads can also appear in areas where people usually get a lot of friction (e.g. your back from a bra strap).
Whiteheads do not just grow only on the T-Zone. They may also occur or appear on the nose, lip, cheek and even on your scalp.
Who Suffers From Or Gets Whiteheads?
Anyone, especially those with oily skin, can experience getting whiteheads at every age depending on a variety of factors. There are ages and situations where whiteheads and acne lesions become prevalent usually due to hormonal fluctuations.
Who usually gets whiteheads?
What are some tips for getting rid of whiteheads?
The best and most effective way to control whiteheads is to practice good skin care habits. Easy and efficient tips to help you get rid of whiteheads are outlined below:
Keep your face clean. Wash your face two times a day, in the morning and before bedtime. A gentle toner and exfoliator may be applied to keep your face refreshed, thus minimizing the build-up of oil and dirt. Choose a cleanser that contains alpha hydroxy acids or salicylic acid to clear up your pores.
Be sure to wash the skin gently with mild soap and lukewarm water twice a day. Regularly wash your hair and keep hairspray away from the face.
Use only oil-free , non-comedogenic skin care products that do not clog the pores.
Use fragrance free, water based emollient products to treat dry skin.
Mask: There are many whiteheads removers or masks advertised in the market. You can use a clay mask to manually remove whiteheads. It is also helpful in removing most dead skin cells and embedded dirt in your face. Alternatively, you can make a home-made thick paste of mixed baking soda and water. Apply it all over your face, concentrating on the nose, let it dry and then wash your face thoroughly with cold water.
Makeup or no makeup: Failing to wash or remove your makeup before heading to bed after a night party can lead to clogged pores hence contributing to the occurrence of whiteheads or blackheads. Remove makeup by simply washing your face thoroughly every night before you go to bed in order let your face skin breathe.
Use cosmetics sparingly.
It is not recommended for you to remove whiteheads manually because it can lead to infection and scarring, or worse, acne breakout.
What are other steps on how to get rid of whiteheads?
Treatments/Home Remedies For Whiteheads
Think you got a whitehead? No worries! Here are some treatments and home remedies for getting rid of those pesky white little bumps:
While there are a lot of home remedies and treatment options available for getting rid of whiteheads, it’s still safe to make sure or seek a skin specialist for recommendations or suggestions, or maybe ask your trusted dermatologist to do it for you. And remember, don’t pick your skin or pimples!
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