| Whiteheads | Blackheads | Causes |
| Prevention | Home Treatment |
Do you want to know What Causes Whiteheads and Blackheads? These are non-inflammatory types of acne which are also known as microcomedones. Whiteheads form under your skin surface due to a block pore which contains bacteria and skin oil. Blackheads are partially blocked pores which contains oxidises bacteria and sebum. If you want to get rid of, you must know What Causes Whiteheads and Blackheads?
Whiteheads
Usually found in people with dry skin – are formed when the blocked oil remains below the surface of the skin where it is not exposed to the air, forming a white bump (whitehead) under the skin. Whiteheads are pus-filled acne. Whiteheads are a form of acne which caused by collection or accumulation of keratin and sebum or oil secreted by sebaceous glands in the skin. These plug up the skin pores close to hair follicles resulting whiteheads on skin.
Whiteheads from the skin surface as tiny white bumps. Whiteheads are also known as comedones. When they get oxidized due to dirt, they become black and are called black heads. If air is unable to reach the hair follicle, no oxidation takes place, and they continue to remain white bumps. Whiteheads may be spoiling the texture of the skin and making it lose its luster.
Blackheads
Blackheads usually found in people with oily skin – form when the oil in the clogged pore is exposed to the air, causing the sebum (oil) to turn black (a process called oxidation). These are a special kind of acne. However,they are different from the acne in darker complexion. Mostly appear as tiny black or yellow bumps in the skin. Blackheads are formed due to extra oil production in the skin. Sebaceous glands under the skin produce an Oil ‘sebum’ which act as a natural moisturizer for skin. Sometimes due to an increased production, the ducts from these glands can get blocked. The oil that is trapped under blocked pores stays and gradually gets oxidized, giving it its darker color.
What Causes Whiteheads and Blackheads?
Ahead of figuring out how to get rid of whiteheads and blackheads, we must have information on what causes whiteheads and blackheads, to help identify your particular technique towards getting clear skin. These are the reason you may know what causes whiteheads and blackheads?
Hormones
Human hormones play a tremendous role in the changes your body sees over time. A surge in the number of your skin’s hormones can result in excess production of oil from the sebaceous gland. This excess oil builds within the pores, accumulating dead skin cells, creating the blockages and bacterial build-up previously mentioned. This is why whiteheads and blackheads are quite frequent in times of elevated hormone levels such as puberty.
External Products
These sorts of products are makeup, foundations, sunscreen, moisturizers, etc. Excessive use or layering of these products could potentially cause whiteheads and blackheads by quickening the process of blocked pores, creating build-up.
Excessive Sweating
Increased sweating, particularly when paired with external skin products could be a part of what causes whiteheads and blackheads. The perspiration can add to the build-up and obstruction of skin pores.
Medication
Medicine that raises amounts of testosterone or estrogen can bring about the development of whiteheads and blackheads. This relates to the rise of hormones as mentioned above.
How to prevent Whiteheads and Blackheads?
Here are some of the general tips and tricks you can follow to keep whiteheads and blackheads from spawning. After all, the best form of offense is defense, right?
Change LifeStyle
One common lifestyle change that you can implement, that will bring about a great change is, cut down on the usage of oily foods. This will not only help you combat whiteheads and blackheads but will improve your whole body’s health in general.
Avoid Wearing Too Much Makeup
If you are habitual of wearing too much make-up, start using less of it. Cosmetics have a way of disturbing normal behavior of the skin and can cause massive whiteheads and blackhead outbreaks if you are not careful.
Face Washing
Wash your face whenever you get a chance. Carry a blotting paper with you when you go out into the sun, so you can at least blot your face and keep it clean of impurities.
Avoid Oily Beauty Products
Avoid the use of beauty products that have high oil ingredients.
Change Your Bedding
Change your sheets and pillowcases more often. A microscopic view of an overused pillowcase may reveal millions of dead cells.
Exfoliate Regularly
Include an exfoliate in your beauty care campaign. Exfoliate skin regularly to keep your face clear and remove dead skin cells.
Cleansing
Regularly cleanse your skin. It helps to clean the skin from dirt and close the skin pores.
Don’t Squeeze
And most important of all, if you already see the beginnings of whiteheads and blackhead outbreak, don’t squeeze the blackheads and whiteheads.
Home Remedies for Whiteheads and Blackhead Removal
Fenugreek Leaves
Apply a paste of fenugreek leaves and leaving it overnight. Wash it off with warm water the next morning.
Vinegar and Corn Starch
Apply a mixture of corn starch and vinegar and let it leave on the skin for 30 minutes. Rubbed off with a warm wet cloth.
Lime Juice and Milk Scrub
A scrub made of 50 ml raw milk, 2 tablespoon lime juice, and a pinch of salt can help to drag out whiteheads deposits from pores.
Lemon Juice and Groundnut Oil
A mixture of one tablespoon groundnut oil and one tablespoon lime juice can be applied to get rid of whiteheads.
Rose Water and Sandalwood
A fine paste of sandalwood and rosewater may be applied as a mask, kept for 30 minutes, and then washed off with lukewarm water. This allows easy extraction of whiteheads and blackheads.
Honey and Egg White
Mix 1 teaspoon honey with a beaten egg white and dab the mixture on whiteheads and blackheads with a cotton swab. Wash it off with warm water after 25 minutes. This treatment eliminates whiteheads and blackheads.
Face Steaming
The steaming face can enlarge skin pores allowing easy extraction of the hard elements of dirt.
Radish Seeds
Apply a paste of ground radish seeds and water on the whiteheads and blackheads.
Turmeric and Milk
Make a paste of 5 gm each of red sandalwood and turmeric made with milk and apply on the affected parts.