If you once squeezed a whitehead until it burst, it's possible that the entire blockage wasn't removed—meaning that pimple could become inflamed again, says Dr. Zeichner. The irritation or exposed bacteria could also cause another pimple to form right next to your previous one.
Grab a Q-tip in each hand and position the pillow-y parts on either side of your whitehead. Using gentle but consistent pressure, press down into your skin—not sideways into the zit. Once you get the white or black stuff out, you're done. You never want to press to the point of seeing pus or blood.
Whiteheads are a type of acne that can be challenging to treat and get rid of. Like blackheads, whiteheads form because of clogged pores. Once the pore is plugged with oil and dead skin cells, the substance hardens. But unlike blackheads, whiteheads have closed ends, which can make the plug difficult to extract.
Dermatologists know how to remove acne safely
One is called acne extraction, which involves using sterile instruments to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads. Acne extraction is usually offered when other acne treatment fails to clear the skin.
Clogged pores are the main cause of whiteheads. Your pores can become blocked for several reasons. One cause of blocked pores is hormonal changes, which are common triggers of acne. Certain life stages can increase the amount of sebum, or oil, your pores produce.
Examples include white bread, corn flakes, puffed rice, potato chips, white potatoes or fries, doughnuts or other pastries, sugary drinks such as milkshakes, and white rice. Findings from small studies suggest that following a low-glycemic diet may reduce the amount of acne you have.
Although people can pop some noninflamed whiteheads and blackheads if they take the necessary precautions, they should never try to pop or extract inflamed acne. This type of acne is deeper in the skin and may be more likely to cause scarring and infection if a person tries to squeeze it.
While blackheads can be professionally extracted, you should never have whiteheads removed. Extracting these comedones can cause impurities to spread which can actually cause more whiteheads or blackheads to form. Similar to popping blemishes, extracting or picking at whiteheads can also leave a mark or dark spot.
Some of the best whitehead removal masks are mud masks, charcoal masks, or clay masks. These ingredients pull out the impurities settled in the deepest layers of your skin and leave your pores absolutely purified from within. A whitehead removal mask should ideally be used only once a week.
They occur when pores get clogged and sebum gets trapped and sebum builds up, causing a white bump to appear on the surface of the skin. Avoid popping whiteheads. This practice can spread dirt, oil, and bacteria further on the skin. It can also lead to further irritation and scarring.
Certain ingredients in over-the-counter skincare products can target your acne. Salicylic acid can be good for blackheads and whiteheads because it helps unclog your pores and reduce inflammation, while benzoyl peroxide works² to fight the bacteria that causes acne.
ii) Apple cider vinegar
In order to use apple cider vinegar to get rid of whiteheads, start by mixing together two tablespoons of ACV with about one cup of warm water. Apply this mixture to the areas of your face or body where you have whiteheads and allow it to work for about 20 minutes.
Apply a warm compress.
Warm compresses can help ease pain. They're also beneficial once a whitehead begins to form. Apply the warm compress 10 to 15 minutes three to four times a day. This allows the pimple to release pus and heal.
Whiteheads occur when skin cells, oil, and bacteria combine to create a white tip of oil-skin mixture. A whitehead looks like a small pimple, but the area around it will not be inflamed and red.
Salicylic acid: This is available over-the-counter for whiteheads as a cleanser or lotion. It helps remove the top layer of damaged skin. Salicylic acid dissolves dead skin cells to prevent your hair follicles from clogging. Azelaic acid: This is a natural acid found in various grains such as barley, wheat and rye.
Its mild antimicrobial effect makes it suitable for cleaning and disinfecting minor wounds. However, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that rubbing alcohol, or isopropyl alcohol, helps treat acne. Experts warn that applying rubbing alcohol to acne may make the acne worse.
Don't use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on wounds or to control oily skin or acne breakouts. They're not effective and they can damage your skin, making the problem worse. Just use soap and water to clean a wound, and for acne, use an over-the-counter product with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Certain kinds of toxins will clog your small pores on your epidermis and can cause issues like acne and pimples. By drinking more water, you ensure that you won't suffer from severe pimples and acne. The more hydrated your skin, the less your pores will clog.
It's tempting, but popping or squeezing a pimple won't necessarily get rid of the problem. Squeezing can push bacteria and pus deeper into the skin, which might cause more swelling and redness.
Hydrogen peroxide used to be a popular antiseptic for cleaning wounds and treating acne. But it's not a good idea to use it for those purposes, since it can irritate your skin.
There's no evidence that hydrogen peroxide can safely and effectively cure acne. In reality, hydrogen peroxide may actually increase scarring on the skin by interfering with the wound-healing process. It can also cause skin irritation and burns if used at too high of a concentration.
If you have blackheads and whiteheads, salicylic acid alone should work well to clear out your pores. If your acne tends to be inflammatory, such as papules and pustules, opt for benzoyl peroxide to stop outbreaks at the source. For sensitive skin, start with salicylic acid, since it's less likely to cause irritation.
Witch hazel has many benefits for skin, including relieving inflammation, tightening pores, and helping with razor bumps. It may also help reduce acne, since it can cleanse your skin of excess oil. However, witch hazel should not be used by people with dry or extremely sensitive skin since it can cause irritation.
Tea tree oil has anti-microbial properties. It is known to reduce whiteheads on the skin. You can take tea tree oil in a bowl and add any carrier oil like coconut, jojoba or olive oil to it and mix thoroughly. With a clean cotton swab, dab this mixture onto the affected part and keep it on for 15-20 minutes.