How to Remove Whiteheads

Whiteheads, which are also referred to as closed comedones, are small white spots that appear on the skin when the pores on the surface of the skin get clogged with sebum. The pores are small openings on the skin through which the secretions from the sebaceous glands reach the surface of the skin. If one's skin is very oily, sebum and dead skin cells could clog the opening of a pore. When the clogged pore closes, sebum or the oily secretions can be seen in the form of a white bump or a whitehead. If the pore remains open, sebum and the dead skin cells may get oxidized and turn into what we call a blackhead. The pores in our skin perform the function of secreting the wastes, but when these secretions are in excess, you might end up with whiteheads and blackheads. The secretion of sebum could also be affected by changes in the levels of certain hormones. Since the sebaceous glands become more active after the onset of puberty, teenagers are more likely to develop whiteheads, blackheads or acne. While blackheads look unsightly, whiteheads are more difficult to remove. These may not only ruin one's dreams of having a flawless and radiant skin during adolescence, but may also continue to be a cause of cosmetic concern for some young adults. Since closed comedones can have an adverse effect on the appearance and the texture of the skin, it would be a good idea to learn ways to remove whiteheads on face along with measures to prevent them from occurring in future.

How to Get Rid of Whiteheads

Though you might be very frustrated with those ugly whiteheads on your face, you must never try to remove them by squeezing them or you might end up scarring your face. You could visit a cosmetologist to get them removed. If you want to know how to remove whiteheads, you can go through some remedies that are believed to be effective whitehead removal methods.

Cleansing Routine: The best way to remove whiteheads is to keep your skin clean at all times. You must follow a skin care routine. Apply a facial cleanser to clean the pores. You should never sleep with your makeup on. If you have an oily skin, it would be best to use oil-free or non-comedogenic skin care products. Such products will not block the pores. For instance, sweet almond oil, olive oil, jojoba and glycerin are believed to be non-comedogenic in nature. On the other hand, cocoa butter is highly comedogenic in nature. Also, make sure that you buy good quality cosmetic products that are meant for your skin type.

Steam Method: Since whiteheads are caused due to clogged skin pores, it is essential to keep the skin pores clean. The best way to prevent them from getting clogged is to steam your face. Bend over a pot of boiling water and cover your head with a towel. Steam your face for five to ten minutes. This will help in opening up the clogged pores. Since the skin will become softer, it will be easier to cleanse the traces of makeup, dirt, dead skin cells and excess sebum.

Comedone Extractor: You can also use a comedone extractor for getting rid of whiteheads or blackheads. It is a small tool that has a lancet to drain the contents of the whitehead on one end and a loop on the other. After you have steamed your face, and sterilized the comedone extractor, gently pierce the top of the whitehead with the lancet. Place the looped end over it and apply pressure so that the dirt, trapped sebum and dead skin cells come out.

Pore Strips: These are strips that have one side coated with adhesives. The side that is coated with the adhesive has to be applied over the affected area. The adhesives binds to the dirt, sebum and dead skin cells. After the strip dries, one needs to pull it out. With the pulling action, the adhesive also pulls away sebum and dirt. Thus, whatever may be clogging the pore comes along with it. However, use of pore strips as well as comedone extractor may cause skin irritation. So, if your skin is sensitive, it would be best to consult a dermatologist.

Medicated Creams: Most of the topical creams that are prescribed for removing whiteheads have benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid as the active ingredient. Due to its antibacterial properties, benzoyl peroxide helps in removing the whiteheads and also prevents the formation of new ones. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that is often used in creams and cleansers that are used for treating comedones. Other creams and gels that contain retinoid or fruit-derived alpha hydroxy acids might also prove beneficial in clearing such blemishes. Though several over-the-counter medications are available in the form of medicated creams, gels and soaps, it would be best to use the products that are recommended by dermatologists.

Use a Face Scrub: You can also try homemade face scrubs or face packs for removing whiteheads on face. You can make a paste by mixing a tablespoon of honey to one egg white. Apply it on your face and leave it on for 30 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water. You can also make a paste by adding 2 tablespoons of sandalwood powder to 2 tablespoons of rosewater. Apply it on your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. Wash it off with warm water and also splash some cold water on your face. You could also run an ice cube on your face to close the pores. You can also exfoliate your skin by using homemade scrubs made from dried orange peels.

Follow a Healthy Diet: Well, it would be in your best interest to make certain lifestyle-related changes. Increase your intake of water, fruits and vegetables. Avoid excessive consumption of spicy and oily food. Sometimes vitamin deficiencies can also lead to skin problems, so following a balanced diet will surely help. One must stay hydrated at all times.

Though you now have a basic idea about some of the effective remedies for removing whiteheads, your aim must be to prevent the formation of whiteheads. So, keep your skin clean and use the aforementioned tips to prevent whiteheads.