Ever had those black spots over your nose that just don’t go away after a face wash? Or those little white abrasions that look like small acne?
These little annoying things are blackheads and whiteheads.
You’d be surprised to know but these are both forms of mild acne. The usual acne, which is those red-pus-filled bumps, is actually a severe form of acne. We’ll talk about it later in the article.
In This Article
What causes blackheads and whiteheads?
Whiteheads and blackheads both have the same cause. They are the result of a combination of dead skin cells, bacteria, and sebum clogging a pore.
A blackhead is an open clogged pore. The pore is wider than normal. The pore is filled with follicles, oil, sebum dead skin cells, or a combination. Air can get inside the pore, which means that the air oxides with the gunk. This reaction is the reason blackheads are black.
A whitehead, on the other hand, is a closed clogged pore. They only have a small opening on the skin. Air cannot get into the pores. This means that the gunk stays stuck inside the whiteheads. A covering forms over the gunk, and that’s what you see on your face.
At first, you may feel like these clogged pores are impossible to unclog. But don’t worry, you don’t have to live with blackheads and whiteheads forever.
How to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads?
Whiteheads can be treated with a proper face-cleansing routine. Wash your face daily, maybe 2 times a day. Use a gentle exfoliator twice a month. Use mildly exfoliating toners which contain ingredients such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or alpha hydroxy acids. These acids help in exfoliating the face.
Blackheads can be treated in the same way. Having a face-cleansing routine helps get rid of blackheads and even prevent them. But unlike whiteheads, there’s an immediate solution to blackheads — Pore strips.
Pore strips or peeling masks can help you get rid of blackheads in a matter of minutes. Blackheads are essentially gunk-filled open pores. If you use a product with any active ingredients in it, the active part will just stick to the gunk in the pore. When you pull the strip/mask out, the blackhead will be pulled out with it.
If you want to remove the blackheads and whiteheads immediately, you can use chemical exfoliants such as Alpha Hydroxy Acids (Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid), and Beta Hydroxy Acids (Salicylic Acid). They help exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells.
If you want a professional opinion, give your dermatologist a visit.
Or go to a beauty salon and get a facial, which essentially helps your face get rid of any dead cells or gunk.
“But can’t I do something to prevent blackheads and whiteheads?” Yes, you can!
How to prevent blackheads and whiteheads?
Blackheads and whiteheads are not just a form of acne, they are signs that you do not have a good face-cleansing routine. If you have a cleansing routine and still get black/whiteheads, you may just be using the wrong products. Your skin-care products must be skin-specific. It's a good idea to include a combination of skin-specific cleansers, moisturizers, and serums.
A routine like the below can help your face stay clean and shiny
- Cleaning your face with an active cleanser,
- Using serums to keep your face hydrated,
- Moisturizing with a skin-specific moisturizer,
- Exfoliating with a proper chemical exfoliator once or twice a month.
If you have an oily face, keep cleansing clothes or a handkerchief nearby. You want to wipe that oil off your face before it enters the pore. Also don’t ever touch your skin with dirty hands. You might develop a habit of touching your face when you’re nervous or anxious.
Well, you have to resist that urge.
If you touch your face too often, you risk transferring acne-causing bacteria to the skin of your face. That leads to blackheads and whiteheads. If you don't heal these comedones, the acne will progress and lead to those red pus-filled big and bumpy forms of acne. You don’t want that, right? So keep that hand off your face!
But is there a permanent solution to this?
The best way to deal with blackheads and whiteheads
No, there is no permanent solution. Skin issues can be a downer for your confidence, and without a religious face cleansing routine, expect these issues to become worse. You can use OTC products like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids, and sulfur. These, when used as prescribed, will help remove blackheads and whiteheads.
If you ask us, the best way to deal with issues like blackheads and whiteheads is to prevent them from happening. You can do this with a proper skin cleansing routine. Use products that contain salicylic acid or glycolic acid so that your face is exfoliated. Exfoliate with a proper exfoliator once or twice a week.
One of the best ways to rejuvenate your skin is to use SkinQ’s Oil Control Mask. This unique clay mask is induced with active ingredients to exfoliate and rejuvenate your skin to unclog pores, control excess oil and provide a healthy, glowing skin. Also, maintain your skin-moisturize levels and texture using face serums and moisture balm.
All these skincare activities will help your face stay clean, smooth, and free of clogged pores.
It’s a win-win, for you, and your skin!
Bring the ending towards Skin-reset and skin rejuvenation with DIY Active Facial Kit every 2-3 weeks and maintain skin health using serums and moisture balm etc.
FAQ's
How can I tell if my blackheads or whiteheads are severe enough to warrant seeing a dermatologist?
If you have a lot of blackheads or whiteheads that are painful, or they don’t get better with over-the-counter treatments, it’s a good idea to see a dermatologist. They can help with severe cases and prevent scarring.
What are some ways to prevent blackheads and whiteheads from forming in the first place?
To prevent blackheads and whiteheads, you can:
- Clean Your Face: Clean your face with soap daily two times.
- Avoid Oily Products: Avoid products that may cause clogging such as non-comedogenic Skincare and makeup products.
- Exfoliate Regularly: Exfoliate gently with a soft brush or mildly acidic wash.
- Keep Hands Off Your Face: The key to keep away from pimples is to try not to touch you face a lot because you will be cleaning the skin of dirt and oil.
- Stay Hydrated: It is advisable to be drinking enough water to ensure your skin is not dry.
- Healthy Diet: eat less sweet and fatty foods.
- Manage Stress: Stress can manifest in your skin system also, so try and control or reduce stress and seek stress-relieving activities.
These steps may aid in skin health and lessen the risks of blackheads and whiteheads.
What are the long-term effects of having whiteheads?
In case of negligence of whiteheads, the skin might end up getting scars together with dark spots. It will eventually lead to uneven and unhealthy skin after exposure to such products.
How long does it typically take for whiteheads to clear up with home remedies?
It takes time depending on how you treat it – if it is washed in a consistent manner with the use of non-comedogenic products, and natural treatments like tea tree oil and honey are applied, the whiteheads could take from five days up to 2 to 3 weeks to disappear. But in order to see the desired effect in every skin type, it might take longer.
Are there any side effects to using witch hazel, honey, tea tree oil, lemon juice, or salicylic acid to treat whiteheads?
Yes, there are side effects. Another adverse effect is skin irritations caused by witch hazel in some people. Honey may be safe in moderation, but if you have an allergy to it, conceivably, it may provoke an allergic reaction. There are times that tea tree oil can cause an allergic reaction or skin irritation.
Lemon juice increases the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight and therefore burns the skin. Salicylic Acid should not be used in too large quantities because it can have a drying effect on the skin or irritate your skin.
It is advised that an individual should always remember to do a patch test when using these treatments. They are not toxic but are safe to stop using if you have any problems and seek a dermatologist’s advice.
If home remedies don't work, what is the next course of treatment a dermatologist might recommend?
If it still does not go away, medication may be suggested by a dermatologist which could be prescription medication, a topical solution, and perhaps even laser therapy.