Teens with all different type of skin have the common problem of blackheads and whiteheads. This skin problem commonly occurs around the facial area, on the forehead, chin and nose. The increase excretion of the natural oil of the skin forms the ducts on the sebaceous glands where the sebum along with the dead skin cells clogged the pores of the skin and causes the formation of the first stages of acne which are the blackheads and whiteheads.

What are blackheads and whiteheads?

A blackhead is the first stage of acne which is also referred to as open comedone. According to experts, blackheads were formed before the invasion of the bacteria into the pores of the skin which leads to infection and inflammation. These typically develop after puberty, when hormones begin surging in the skin and body. The excess hormone in the skin results in stimulation of sebaceous gland which leads to excess oil production in the pores. The excess oil gets occluded in the pores resulting in a ball of accumulated oil which when exposed to air turns black.

A whitehead pimple is composed of lipids and sebum that combines with cellular fragments. Since whiteheads are more solid than liquid, they plug the hair follicles and tend to grow in size and sometimes develop into painful acne cysts. Whiteheads are closed from the skin surface by cellular debris at the opening of the follicle. Having no contact to oxygen, they do not oxidize and turn brown like blackheads do. Instead they form a yellow – white lump called milia and when a bacterium inters the follicle, acne occurs. Milia require special whiteheads treatment.

What causes whiteheads and blackheads formation?

The most common cause of blackheads and whiteheads formation is that the skin has not been cleaned thoroughly. If the skin is not cleaned properly, dead skin cells will accumulate within the pores of the skin. The dead cells then clog the pore opening which builds up the oil and forms blackheads. Make ups, excessive use of moisturizers and foundations can also clogged the pores and forms whiteheads.

The kinds of foods you eat affect the stimulation of hormone production in your skin and contribute whiteheads and blackheads development.

The weather also causes the formation blackheads and whiteheads. If you are living in a very hot and humid environment, and areas dry and windy, dust and dirt maybe present in the air. The dust particles can easily get into the skin surface and clogs the pores. Too much exposure to heat can also cause the formation of blackheads and whiteheads.

How to get rid of whiteheads on face

To get rid of whiteheads on face, here are a few natural methods that you need to follow;

In every one to two weeks, fill a bowl with very hot steamy water and add 2 to 3 drops of tea tree essential oil which can be purchased at your local health food store. Wet the towel with the mixture and steam your clean face for 15 to 10 minutes.

Wash your face two times a day with a gentle cleanser. Make sure your hands were washed before you touch your face. After washing your face, rinse it well with warm water and follow it with a cool rinse. Pat gently with a towel and follow up with a toner of an astringent and gentle moisturizer.

The best way to remove whiteheads from your face is with the use of a comedone remover. This tool is made up of stainless steel and has interesting loop design which help remove whiteheads without damaging the surface of the skin. You will use this tool immediately after steaming your face with hot bath or hot washcloth. When the whitehead breaks the outside layer of the skin, press the loop end over the whitehead and the trapped material will be dislodged. If the process is completed, be sure to clean up your face with warm water to make sure everything has been totally removed from the pores.

If the whiteheads are difficult to remove then you may consider using a cream designed for whitehead treatment. It is important that you asked a dermatologist on how to treat whiteheads, if you want to be more precised with the products you will be using.

Treatments for blackhead removal

Blackhead treatment solution can either be done in a medical establishment or clinic by beauty consultants. There are special tools used to remove blackheads fast and easy and oral medications given to patients for worse cases or creams for skin allergy and blackhead remover to treat blackheads. However these known methods are expensive.

Taking a hot shower is the easiest and most convenient way to remove blackheads. The temperature of the water opens your pores thus making it easy for you to remove the blackheads in your face gently after shower. This is done with the use of blackheads removal strips, the most affordable blackhead cleanser available on your local health and wellness store. It is a white one strip painless removal solution for blackheads. Simply put it on the area where the blackheads are and after a few minutes take it off and you will notice blackhead particles now stick on the strip. It leaves your skin smooth and clean.

There is also a so called blackhead extractor or blackhead remover pen available for blackhead removal. It is a long metal like stick used to remove blackheads on the face and nose. It is usually used by beauty experts but it is not recommended for you to use at home as blackheads might get worse, damage your skin, and create another skin problem.

Mild acne like blackheads and whiteheads can be treated easily and more effectively through natural methods. However there are other stubborn blackheads and white heads that are really difficult to remove. Topical medications with active ingredients such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are potential treatments for blackheads and whiteheads. Available forms of these products include cream, gels and lotion. To avoid creating another problem on your skin, consult a dermatologist before buying over the counter creams, lotion and cleanser you want to use to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads.