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How to get rid of whiteheads

Simple steps for smooth and clear skin.

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Whiteheads develop when dead skin cells, sebum (oil) and dirt clog your pores. Unlike blackheads, which can be pushed out, whiteheads are closed within the pore. This can make treatment more challenging.
What causes whiteheads?
Understanding the cause of whiteheads can help you prevent future breakouts. Clogged pores are the main culprit. Your pores can become blocked for several reasons. One cause of blocked pores is hormonal change, which is a common trigger of acne. Certain life stages can increase the amount of sebum, or oil, your pores produce. The increased oil production, in turn, causes clogged pores and whiteheads.
Where do whiteheads appear?
A whitehead can develop anywhere on your body. The nose, chin and forehead are collectively known as the T-zone. The oily parts of your face, such as the T-zone, are usually most prone to acne.
Whiteheads versus blackheads
Blackheads and whiteheads might look different, but they have similar causes, and you can treat both at once. Both blackheads and whiteheads occur when oil, dead skin and bacteria become trapped in your skin's tiny pores. With blackheads, the pore remains open, so the material is exposed to the air and changes colour. Whiteheads actually occur when debris gets trapped in a pore. But unlike with blackheads, the material in a whitehead does not stretch the pore. The pore closes over the plug, creating a white or yellow bump. You can easily differentiate blackheads from whiteheads by their appearance. Blackheads appear black or brown, like enlarged, 'dirty' pores. Whiteheads are closed pores that, typically, have either a head or a clear covering.
How to get rid of whiteheads
For starters, blackheads and whiteheads can both be treated with similar ingredients - salicylic acid, retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and sulfur are all active powerhouses that work to unclog pores.
The best way to tackle blackheads is by using a gentle exfoliating face wash with salicylic acid and a facial cleansing brush. Whiteheads, on the other hand, can be treated with topical gels or lotions.
Here are some popular whitehead treatment tips:
. Wash the face twice every day using a cleanser that contains acne-fighting ingredients. Pay special attention to the "T-Zone" (forehead, nose and chin) because this is where whiteheads most often appear.
. Avoid scrubbing. It can irritate the skin and make whiteheads worse.
. Use a gentle exfoliating product on a regular basis to remove whiteheads.
. Don't pick, squeeze or pop your whiteheads as it can irritate the skin further, increase the risk of infection and cause potential scarring.
Here are some natural remedies you can try as alternative skin treatment. While the term "natural" seems promising, the downside to these treatments is that they may not go through the same testing standards as other products. So, use the following items with caution.
Vitamin A cream: Vitamin A is a nutrient with powerful antioxidant properties. In terms of skin health, vitamin A has the potential to decrease redness and inflammation while also promoting healthy cell growth. Retinol is pure vitamin A. There are a ton of serums and oils in the market right now masked as retinols. You won't find retinol on their ingredient lists, however, as they rely on plant extracts, like rosehip oil. Try Mad Hippie Vitamin A Serum or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane.
Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is touted as a natural anti-inflammatory oil. It may also have antimicrobial benefits. These effects mean tea tree oil could help clear up whiteheads. The oil may be available as an extract you pat directly onto the face. Certain skincare items - such as cleansers, masks, and spot treatments - also contain tea tree oil.
Witch hazel: Derived from a flowering plant of the same name, witch hazel may help heal whiteheads with its astringent, pore-opening qualities. Witch hazel is most convenient to use in astringent form. An amazing toner which I have been using is Mario Badescu Witch Hazel & Lavender Toner.
wknd@khaleejtimes.com