What causes whiteheads? Where do they commonly appear? How can they be treated?

Whiteheads are a common skin problem affecting all ages. If left untreated, they can lead to inflamed acne and dark scarring. Today, Romrawin Clinic will guide you through a detailed understanding of whiteheads, their causes, treatments, and prevention methods. This will help you achieve smoother skin and reduce the chance of recurring acne in the long term.

 

 

What are whiteheads?

Whiteheads are a type of closed comedone, appearing as small, firm, white or skin-colored bumps that are not red, painful, or inflamed. They are caused by the blockage of sebum, dead skin cells, and dirt inside the pores, but the pore opening is tightly closed, preventing the blockage from air exposure and making it clearly visible as a whitehead. If left untreated, these can develop into inflamed acne, leading to redness, dark spots, or acne scars.

 

 

What causes whiteheads/clogged pores?

• The sebaceous glands produce too much oil.

Whiteheads are caused by the sebaceous glands producing excessive oil, leading to oily skin. When this excess oil combines with old, incompletely exfoliated skin cells, it forms a clump and clogs the pores, resulting in whiteheads. These whiteheads do not usually become infected or inflamed.

• Abnormal skin cell turnover

Whiteheads are caused by abnormal skin cell turnover, preventing old skin cells from sloughing off naturally. These cells accumulate inside the pores and, combined with excess sebum from the sebaceous glands, cause a blockage while the pore opening remains closed. This results in the development of a whitehead, which is a non-inflammatory condition. 

• Hormonal changes

Whiteheads are caused by hormonal changes, particularly androgens, which stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. This leads to excessive oil production, and when this excess oil combines with dead skin cells that don't slough off naturally, it clogs the pores while the pore opening remains closed, developing into whiteheads.

• Improper skin cleansing.

Whiteheads are caused by improper skin cleansing. Incomplete face washing can leave dirt, oil, and makeup residue in the pores. Conversely, washing too often or too harshly can disrupt the skin's balance and stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, leading to blockages and the development of whiteheads.

• Use products that clog pores.

Whiteheads are caused by using products that clog pores, especially skincare, sunscreens, or cosmetics with a heavy texture and comedogenic ingredients. Continued use can cause these substances to accumulate along with sebum and dead skin cells inside the pores, leading to blockage and the development of whiteheads.

• Touching your face too often.

Whiteheads are caused by touching your face too often. Our hands constantly touch various objects, which can transfer bacteria, dirt, and dust to the skin. These accumulate inside the pores, causing a blockage while the pore opening remains closed, and eventually developing into a whitehead.

• Eat foods high in fat.

Whiteheads are caused by consuming a high-fat diet. Fried foods, greasy foods, fast food, and processed foods can stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil on the skin. Combined with old skin cells that don't slough off naturally, this leads to blockage and the development of whiteheads.

• Insufficient rest

Whitehead acne is caused by insufficient sleep. Lack of sleep disrupts hormone levels and increases stress hormones, leading the sebaceous glands to produce more oil than normal, which can develop into whitehead acne.

• There is accumulated stress.

100%Whiteheads are caused by accumulated stress. When stressed, the body releases higher levels of cortisol, a hormone that stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce more oil than normal. Furthermore, it also leads to increased levels of androgen hormones, resulting in oilier skin and making it easier for whiteheads to form.

 

 

Where are whiteheads commonly found?

• forehead area

The forehead is another area where whiteheads frequently appear, because it's the T-zone where oil production is high, leading to easy accumulation of sebum. Additionally, sweat, dirt, and bacteria from the hair or styling products accumulate on the forehead, increasing the risk of whiteheads.

• cheek area

The cheeks are another area where whiteheads frequently appear. These are mostly caused by makeup, inadequate face washing, frequent touching of the skin, using pore-clogging skincare products, and using unclean pillowcases. This leads to clogged pores and the development of whiteheads.

• The nose area

The nose is another area where whiteheads frequently appear, because it's the T-zone, which has a high concentration of sebaceous glands and produces a lot of oil, making the skin prone to oil accumulation. In addition, the nose has relatively large pores, sweats easily, and is frequently exposed to dirt, further increasing the risk of whiteheads.

• Chin area

The chin is another area where whiteheads frequently appear, as it's sensitive to hormonal changes, particularly androgen hormones, which stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. This leads to oil buildup and easy clogging of pores. Furthermore, it's frequently touched and rubbed, such as from resting your chin on your hand or wearing a face mask, further increasing the risk of whiteheads.

• Mouth area

The mouth is another area where whiteheads frequently appear due to constant contact with food, drinks, lipstick, or face masks. If not cleaned properly, dirt, oil, and dead skin cells can accumulate, clogging pores and increasing the risk of whiteheads.

• chest area

The chest is another area where whitehead acne frequently appears, due to its high concentration of sebaceous glands, excessive sweating, and frequent friction from clothing, especially tight or poorly breathable garments. Improper cleansing can lead to clogged pores and increase the risk of whitehead acne.

• Ear area

The ears are another area where whiteheads frequently appear, especially around and behind the ears. This is because these areas tend to accumulate sweat, oil, and dirt easily, compounded by friction from wearing face masks, glasses, earphones, or pressing a phone against the face. Improper care and cleaning can increase the risk of whiteheads.

• Back area

The back of the body is another area where whiteheads frequently appear. This is because the area has a high concentration of sebaceous glands, making them prone to blockage. Additionally, this area sweats more and is often subjected to friction from clothing, especially tight-fitting or poorly breathable clothes, which can create moisture and increase the risk of whiteheads.

• buttocks area

The buttocks are another area where whitehead acne frequently appears. This is because the area tends to be damp and experiences friction from wearing pants regularly, especially tight-fitting ones. If the skin isn't cleaned properly, dirt and sweat can accumulate in the pores, increasing the risk of whitehead acne.

 

 

How to treat whitehead acne.

• Use acne treatment products.

Using acne treatment products is another way to treat whiteheads, especially exfoliating products such as salicylic acid, which helps reduce pore blockage, or benzoyl peroxide (BP), which kills bacteria and prevents acne inflammation. However, it is recommended to choose a gentle formula suitable for your skin type to minimize the risk of irritation.

• Pimple popping

Pimple extraction is another method to treat whiteheads. This should be done using clean, sterilized tools and by a qualified professional at a reputable medical facility or clinic. This ensures proper removal of whiteheads and minimizes the risk of subsequent inflammation. Self-squeezing or pressing pimples is not recommended as it can tear surrounding tissue, leading to inflammation and deep scarring.

• Laser acne treatment

MakingLaser acne treatment This is another method to treat whiteheads. It involves using laser energy to open the clogged pores beneath the skin, making it easier to extract the whiteheads and reducing the risk of inflammation. It also stimulates new skin cell growth and reduces the accumulation of old skin cells without damaging surrounding skin or leaving scars. This treatment is suitable for those with a large number of whiteheads scattered across the face or those with deep-seated whiteheads.

• Acne treatment

Acne treatments are another way to treat whiteheads, especially treatments that focus on gentle exfoliation. These help reduce the accumulation of dead skin cells, lessen pore blockage, and make it easier for whiteheads to clear. However, it's recommended to choose a gentle treatment suitable for your skin type to prevent irritation after the procedure.

 

 

How to prevent whitehead acne?

There are several ways to prevent whiteheads and clogged pores, as follows:

• Wash your face properly. Wash your face twice a day using the Double Cleansing technique with a gentle cleanser suitable for your skin type to thoroughly remove all impurities. 
• Use non-comedogenic products. Choose products labeled "Non-Comedogenic" that have a lightweight, easily absorbed, and non-greasy texture to reduce the chance of oil and dirt accumulating in pores.

• Gently exfoliates the skin. This can be achieved by exfoliating your skin 2-3 times a week and choosing a gentle exfoliating product that is free of irritating ingredients. 

• Avoid touching your face frequently. Touching, stroking, picking, or scratching can transfer bacteria to the pores, increasing the risk of whitehead acne.

• Avoid high-fat foods. Avoid greasy and fried foods, as well as foods high in sugar, as these can trigger inflammation and increase oil production, leading to whitehead acne.
• Change your pillowcase regularly. Changing your pillowcase at least 1-2 times a week can help reduce the accumulation of dirt, bacteria, sweat, and oil on your skin.

 

Whiteheads are a type of closed comedones (acne) caused by the accumulation of sebum, dead skin cells, and dirt inside the pores. Although they may not show clear redness or inflammation, if left untreated, they can develop into inflamed acne and leave dark scars. Currently, there are several ways to treat whiteheads, including acne products, extraction, laser treatment, and various other treatments. Each method is suitable for different skin types. Therefore, it is recommended to have a doctor assess your skin condition before choosing a treatment to achieve effective results and reduce the chance of whitehead recurrence in the future.

 

*Results may vary depending on individual skin conditions. Consult a doctor before undergoing this procedure.

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