What are whiteheads?
Whiteheads are a type of acne (acne vulgaris). Oil and dead skin close off hair follicles or sebaceous glands (oil glands) and form a closed bump on your skin (comedo, plural comedones).
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What do whiteheads look like?
Whiteheads look like small bumps sticking up on your skin. They are white or yellowish in appearance.
What is the difference between whiteheads and blackheads?
Blackheads and whiteheads are comedones. Blackheads are open bumps on the skin. They look as if dirt is in the bump, but an irregular light reflection off the clogged follicle actually causes the dark spots. Whiteheads are closed bumps on the skin. They look white or yellowish.
Who do whiteheads affect?
Whiteheads typically affect teenagers and young adults undergoing hormonal changes. However, many adults continue to have whiteheads into their 20s, 30s and beyond. Some even develop whiteheads for the first time as adults.
How common are whiteheads?
Whiteheads are very common. Some researchers suggest that whiteheads affect nearly everyone at some time during their lives. They’re most common among adolescence, but 10% to 20% of adults have whiteheads too.
How do whiteheads affect my body?
Your face (especially your nose, chin and forehead, sometimes your cheeks or around your mouth), neck, back, chest and upper arms are most likely to develop whiteheads. However, oil glands are all over your body. They release an oily lubricant called sebum that helps keep your skin and hair hydrated and shiny. As a result, though it isn’t common, whiteheads sometimes appear on your butt, thighs, ears, scalp, armpits and genitals (penis and vulva).
Whiteheads don’t seriously affect your physical health, but they can affect you psychosocially (how society and social groups affect your mind) and psychologically (your self-perception and behavior). They are sometimes associated with anxiety, depression, mood disorders and suicidal thoughts.
FAQs
A whitehead is a type of acne that forms when dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria become trapped within one of your pores. Whiteheads can be annoying, and they may seem to develop at the worst times. The good news is that whiteheads can be prevented with a combination of lifestyle changes and medical treatments.
What disease causes whiteheads? ›
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. It causes whiteheads, blackheads or pimples. Acne is most common among teenagers, though it affects people of all ages.
What is the permanent solution for whiteheads? ›
Benzoyl peroxide can be helpful as both a spot treatment and a full face treatment. It helps get rid of bacteria and excess oil. If you have multiple whiteheads in one spot, benzoyl peroxide may be helpful because it can reduce inflammation in the surrounding area. Look for a product with at least 2% benzoyl peroxide.
How do you treat and prevent whiteheads? ›
using only noncomedogenic (not pore-clogging), oil-free cosmetics and skin products. not squeezing, picking, or trying to pop whiteheads. avoiding places with high air pollution or increasing skin hygiene if exposed to heavy air pollution. washing skin thoroughly when in humid areas.
What is the biggest cause of whiteheads? ›
Whiteheads are a type of blemish common to people with acne. 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.
Why am I getting whiteheads all of a sudden? ›
Various things can cause breakouts. Stress, certain skin care or acne treatments, dehydration, diet, lack of sleep, contact with the skin, and smoking are all common causes.
Does apple cider vinegar get rid of whiteheads? ›
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, succinic acid, and citric acid which can kill the bacteria P. acnes. Clinical studies have shown that lactic acid causes a significant reduction in acne when applied on the face. ACV can also remove dead skin cells.
What products get rid of whiteheads? ›
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Exfoliating Blemish Solution
This drugstore serum uses 2 percent salicylic acid to both treat existing whiteheads and help prevent them by keeping your pores clear.
Which deficiency causes whiteheads on face? ›
A 2016 study found that people with acne have lower levels of vitamin D than those without the skin condition. This deficiency may be a factor in the development of acne.
Are whiteheads bacterial or fungal? ›
Bacterial acne breakouts tend to be on the face, chest, arms, or other parts of the body. They often vary in size and feature whiteheads or blackheads. Fungal acne is much more uniform. These small, often red bumps form on the chest, back, and upper arms but almost never on the face.
Fungal acne is different from common acne (like whiteheads, which develop when follicles get blocked with bacteria, oil, and dead skin) because it's caused by the fungus Malassezia, a type of yeast naturally found on everyone's skin.
How do Koreans get rid of whiteheads? ›
Korean skincare stands out from Western skincare because it typically involves a more extensive routine. A Korean routine for acne includes double cleansing, toners and essences, and twice daily moisturizing. Most Korean skincare routines also include a weekly mask and exfoliation.
Should you squeeze whiteheads? ›
In general, you can gently pop a whitehead pimple once, but don't try to draw more out again later. Doing so can lead to scarring. You should never pop a pimple that does not have a whitehead or is deep under the skin. Deep inflamed acne can be due to nodular breakouts or cysts and should not be squeezed.
