Whiteheads

CAUSE, PREVENTION AND REMOVAL OF WHITEHEADS

Whiteheads are also known as closed comedones. They are sebaceous follicles that are filled with sebum, dead skin cell and bacteria. They have only a microscopic opening to the skin surface. Since the air cannot reach the follicle, the material is not oxidized, and remains white. A light yellow lump is formed. Another term for this is milium or milia for plural.

CAUSE OF WHITEHEADS

» Excessive exfoliation of skin cells contributes to the growth of milia. The dead skin cells quickly clog up the sebaceous follicles.

» Some skin specialists believe some individuals produce sebum that is drier than normal. This creates an environment conducive to the formation of firm plugs. Such individuals would be more prone and have frequent and multiple blackheads and whiteheads. Sebum contributes to skin oils and people with dry sebum may have dry skin and this may be especially true of people with chronic whiteheads.

» Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid that is normally produced together with sebum in the sebaceous glands. The combination of sebum and lineleic acid gives the liquid viscosity. It is soothing to the skin. Follicular irritation will promote plugs. In the absence of linoleic acid, the sebaceous glands replace it with oleic acid. The combination of oleic acid and sebum is less viscous and firmer compared to linoleic sebum. It irritates the skin, thus promotes the formation of plugs. The plug formed is hard and does flow out of the follicle easily. This promotes the formation of blackheads and whiteheads. Acne infections could be the result.

HOW TO PREVENT AND GET RID OF WHITEHEADS?

Looking for ways to get rid of or remove whiteheads?

An OTC topical medication is usually recommended for those people with whiteheads or mild acne. Apply the topical medicine directly onto the whiteheds and any other affected area of the skin.

You can’t get rid of whiteheads or blackheads overnight. It takes time. If used regularly, OTC topical medicines can be reasonably effective. Be patient. It might take 8 weeks or more before you will notice any difference in your skin. Most treatments would several weeks or even months before you can see any noticeable change.

Common OTC acne medicines used to treat acne include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, resorcinol and sulfur. Each of this works differently and has different effects on the acne.

Benzoyl peroxide is useful for a mild case of comedones. It can also help to prevent formation of more whiteheads.

The effects of benzoyl peroxide are:

Antibacterial – Destroys and inhibits the growth of acne bacteria
Decreases the chemical reaction that cause changes to the lining of the hair follicle. This may help reduce the plugging that causes comedones.

Resorcinol and sulfur help to break down comedones like whiteheads and blackheads.

In addition to breaking down whiteheads and blackheads, salicylic acid also helps to reduce the shedding of cells lining the follicles of the sebaceous glands.

Topical OTC acne medicines come in various forms. It could be in the form of a gel, a lotion, a cream, a soap or pads.

Tretinoin (Retin-A, Avita, Renova) is the chief ingredient used in treatment of whiteheads and blackheads. Tretinoin is a derivative of vitamin A.

The effects of tretinoin are:

Increases skin cell renewal
Reduces the "stickiness" of the sloughed cells
Causes expulsion of plugged material
Converts closed comedones into open comedones. The material in these newly converted open comedones can be easily extruded.

Extraction may be used by a health care provider on open comedones or blackheads. This process is performed using a device called a comedone extractor. This is a small, metal, circular instrument that is centered on the comedone and pushes down the surrounding skin, causing the plug to extrude.

SKIN CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH WHITEHEADS

The key to skin care for people with whitehead is consistency. An overnight cure has not been found. Using good skin care methods aids in the daily, steady improvement of follicle health.

Here are some skin care tips for your consideration:

√ The best skin care for whiteheads to cleanse the skin twice a day with a mild soap or facial cleansers.

MD Forte has an impressive range of skin care products including facial cleansers formulated for acne prone skin. Click to learn more.

√ Include a weekly facial scrub to aid in the removal of excess sebum and dead skin cells but do not scrub too often. Excessive scrubbing can make the skin more irritated.

SkinStore, Inc offers a number of carefully selected facial scrubs. Click here and type in “facial scrubs” in the search box.

√ Oil-based makeup should not be used since these can contribute to the buildup of oil in the follicles. Water-based makeup labeled as non-comedogenic can be used safely.

Looking for water-based makeup. SkinStore, Inc offers a good selection. Click here and type in “makeup” in the search box.

CAUTION

Are you are new to a particular skin care product?
Always buy a small quantity to try out and test it on a small patch of skin first.
A particular brand may work wonders for your best friend, but have a different result with your skin.
Remember, different people may have different reactions to different products.

RELATED CONTENT

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OTHER SKIN PROBLEMS

» Cellulite
» Eczema
» Freckles
» Stretch Marks
» Wrinkles

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