Whiteheads

Whiteheads are a form of acne but should not be confused with acne, there is a difference between whiteheads and acne/pimples. Whiteheads are a built up of oil and sebum on the surface of the skin and they clog the pores. Though the exact cause of whiteheads is not known, dermatologist believe that whiteheads are caused when the sebum accumulated on the skin’s surface hardens and clogs the pore.

If the skin pore closes up then the bacteria will remain under the skin and will begin to grow and after a few days a whitehead will be formed. Never try to remove whiteheads at home because unlike blackheads which block the pores partially, whiteheads block it completely. Picking whiteheads will cause a permanent scar and may also lead to some serious skin infection. To keep whiteheads at bay it is essential to keep your skin clean all the time, wash your face twice in a day with an anti bacterial face wash.

Use a toner after washing to keep the pores closed, exfoliate your skin atleast once in a week. Exfoliation is very essential, it removes dead skin cells and deep embedded dirt and grime. Use an exfoliator which has small particles since over exfoliating with big particles can damage your skin. Avoid touching your face since the bacterial from your hands can travel easily to the face through touch.

Use a face cream or moisturizer containing salicylic acid, always look for antibacterial skin care products. Also products with benzyl peroxide, salicylic acid or AHAs are good for skin care. Steaming also helps to unclog the pores, it widens the pores and softens the skin making it easy to remove all the impurities. Sometimes whiteheads go away on their own, so leave it as it is, never pick them. Consult a specialist to remove whiteheads.