Whiteheads are a type of acne medically referred to as comedones with the other comedone being blackheads. The difference between whiteheads and blackheads lies in the fact that while blackheads occur above the skin, whiteheads develop under the skin without popping out. They also differ in appearance in that while blackheads appear black because of exposure to oxygen, whiteheads appear either whitish or yellowish under the skin. Both comedones affect same areas of the skin including face, neck, shoulders and upper chest. Like blackheads, occurrence of whiteheads is linked to blockage of skin pores by sebum and dead skin cells. Possible causes of such blockage include: • Over-active sebaceous glands that produce excess sebum. This can be as a result of genetics or hormonal imbalance. • Genetics • General hormonal imbalance in the body • Poor diet • Poor lifestyle and in particular smoking • Psychological problems that cause stress • Non-emerging hair There are several ways on how to get rid of whiteheads. These include: Home Remedies A number of home remedies have proved effective in getting rod of whiteheads. They include: • Facial steam – This opens up clogged skin pores hence loosening build up of sebum and dead skin cells. • Exfoliation – Use of such products as baking soda, lemon juice, sugar and Apple cider vinegar in cleaning affected parts effectively removes dead skin cells and sebum. • Diet – A low glycemic diet has been proved to aid in getting rid of whiteheads. Alternative Medicines Use of specific herbal medications has proved to be one effective way on how to get rid of whiteheads. Such include: • Application of Tee tree oil on affected areas. • Application of bee venom on affected areas. • Application of Aloe Vera extract on affected areas. Conventional Medicines A good number of conventional medications are often prescribed for managing and treating whiteheads. They include • Topical creams including Benzoyl peroxide that prevents further development of whiteheads in addition to preventing inflammation. • Topical retinoids that act by stopping inflammation caused by whiteheads in addition to normalizing life cycle of follicle cells. • Topical antibiotics that act by killing resultant bacteria in whiteheads. • Oral antibiotics that act in the same way as topical antibiotics with the exception that oral antibiotics act from within the body. • Hormonal medications particularly for women. Hormonal medications act by decreasing production of androgen hormones by ovaries, which in effect lowers production of sebum by the skin. • Topical acids including Azelaic and Salicylic acids that act by opening up closed skin pores. Light Procedures Light procedures (Light therapy) is often used to get rid of severe whiteheads and blackheads that do not respond to treatment with the other outlined treatment regimes. The procedure involves application of sensitizing solution on affected area (s) after which intense pulses of light is directed to the area(s). The procedure kills resultant bacteria and reduces production of sebum. Getting rid of whiteheads completely can take several weeks. Furthermore, one is bound to have resultant scars on treated areas in which case such procedures as dermabrasion, laser resurfacing and chemical peeling can be employed to either eliminate or reduce appearance of resultant scars.
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