By: Marilyn Thompson


What are Whiteheads?

Whiteheads are the same as Milia. Whiteheads are normally beneath and within your skin pores. Dead skin cells and sebaceous matter accumulate and remain as bumps under your skin, clogging skin pores. These are common in the cheeks and around the eyes.

Whiteheads are therefore a combination of sebum and keratin within the follicle and contain bacteria. Bacteria thrive on the extra secretion of sebaceous glands and dead skin cells. These block skin pores. Whiteheads appear as slight white bumps under the skin. This is because sebum and skin cells within the pore do not have any exposure to air. Use of heavy cosmetics, lotions, and creams form a layer over the skin and block your skin pores causing whiteheads.

Proper Method of Removing Whiteheads and Necessary Equipment for Such Removal

- Exfoliation is the best way of removing your whiteheads. Exfoliation does not refer to severe scrubbing of the top layer of your skin. You can use a gentle exfoliating scrub once or twice a week depending on the severity of your whiteheads.

- Microdermabrasion can remove the upper layers of your skin clearing all bumps and irregularities. It improves and promotes growth of new skin.

- Periodic series of chemical peels using alpha hydroxy acid, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid creams prove helpful in removing whiteheads. Also, keep your skin clean by using clay masks. These masks remove dead skin cells, surface debris, and cleanse your skin pores too.

- Extraction of whiteheads by a professional can provide a faster solution to your whiteheads problem. Professionals use lancets to remove cysts from under your skin.

- Whitehead extractor tools like Comedone extractor are sharp instruments or tools with a smaller and a larger end. You need to first cleanse your skin pores thoroughly. Thereafter press the larger end over the whitehead to pierce it open. Clean inner blockages with the smaller end. Clean your skin again thoroughly after extracting whiteheads to prevent any infection.