Whiteheads are one of the most troubling and annoying skin problems for people. The content contained in a whitehead can vary, but it usually consists of oil, bacteria, dead skin cells, and sometimes even pus. Even though whiteheads are not dangerous, they still need to be removed because many people believe they cannot be removed entirely using cosmetics alone. In this article, you will learn everything about whiteheads, including their types and effective removal methods.
Whiteheads have a little opening at the surface of your skin to allow the build-up material inside to reach the outside world. This opening is why whiteheads are classified as a type of acne because they have similar qualities to other types of acne. As you can probably guess, whiteheads are most commonly found on the face and usually appear during or after puberty when levels of sebum production increase. Whiteheads themselves are not dangerous, but because they may contain bacteria and pus in them, they must be removed properly.
The reason why whiteheads appear is because of excessive sebum production. When pores are blocked by dead skin cells and other material that cannot be removed naturally, they become clogged, and the build-up of sebum in these pores is what causes whiteheads to form. Whiteheads are generally caused by hormonal changes such as puberty, menstruation, or pregnancy. In addition, certain contraceptives can cause whiteheads and acne flare-ups in women. If you are using acne products that are too harsh on your skin, you can also develop whiteheads due to the irritation.
Genetics can also play a role in whitehead development because if you have parents affected by acne, you will also be susceptible to developing whiteheads. The genes can skip a generation, though, so it can vary greatly depending on your family history. Your lifestyle also has an impact on whether or not you develop whiteheads. Eating greasy foods and drinking alcohol in excess will increase the chances of acne forming on your skin because they make your pores more oily than normal, which again increases sebum production and clogs pores.
Removing whiteheads by yourself can increase the risk of infection and heighten the chance of damaging your skin. Instead, you can visit your local dermatologist for advice and help in getting rid of them.
If you want to remove whiteheads effectively, then the best type of removal method is extraction. But before you attempt to extract a whitehead, you should make sure that your hands are clean and that they are also dry, so use a towel or some tissues to get rid of any excess moisture on them. It is also important for you to wash your face with hot water beforehand because this will open up your pores and prepare it for extraction as well!
To perform an essential oil cleansing massage, pour some drops into your palm, rub both palms together, gently "press" or hold your finger over a whitehead, and gently press down. This should cause the whitehead to come out more easily, so use force if it hasn't popped out after releasing your finger.
If you feel comfortable enough, you can also try squeezing the whiteheads with your fingers but make sure that you do not apply too much pressure because this will increase the risk of breaking your skin and causing damage to it! When squeezing or extracting whiteheads, make sure that you are gentle because forceful motions may break your skin or worsen existing acne problems.
The best time for removing a whitehead is during or just before taking a shower. The steam from the hot water helps open up pores and prepare the face for extraction while simultaneously relaxing visible redness to reduce pain.
When the top surface of a whitehead is completely opened up and visible, you should never try to open it further because this can cause damage to your skin. Instead, you should wait until the whiteheads have been brought out and then attempt to extract them with clean fingers or an extractor, a special tool designed for the purpose.
Whiteheads do not take long to heal by themselves, but if they are still present after three weeks, then you might want to consider seeing a dermatologist because they might need to take a look at things.
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