Tuesday, April 10, 2012

How to Get Rid of Whiteheads

Those who are in search for answers on how to get rid of whiteheads must first know some facts about this annoying condition and the skin in general. First, our skin contains a lot of pores where sweat and natural oils come out. And sometimes, these oils along with dead skin cells block the pores. When this occurs, whiteheads or blackheads take place. First, a blackhead develops if a blocked pore undergoes oxidation when exposed to air. If a very thin skin that covers the blocked pore is present, it can be filled with pus and bacteria, which then leads to whitehead formation.

Steps on how to get rid of whiteheads

There are a lot means on how to get rid of whiteheads. The very first thing to bear in mind is to be patient. Though you feel the urge to pop and scratch off your whiteheads, doing so wouldn’t help. You have to wait for these to be ripe before you can pop them out. Because if you do this prematurely, you would only shatter the mix of oil, pus, bacteria, dead skin cells, and other impurities trapped on the pores. And this leads to further spread of the infection, causing more whitehead outbreaks. Though one way on how to get rid of whiteheads is by popping them, doing it the wrong way can only trigger damage and more skin problems.

Now, if you truly wanted to know how to get rid of whiteheads efficiently, having the right tools is important. As earlier said, removing them is the best way to rid them off. However, you have to know the right way and use the proper tools. First, obtain a clean cloth, hot water, rubbing alcohol, hot water, and cotton balls or sterile gauze. You may also get an adhesive bandage, especially if your whitehead looks big.

The very first step on how to get rid of whiteheads is to wash your face and hands with warm water and mild soap. It is very crucial that you keep your hands and involved areas on your face to be clean to avoid damage and further infection. After cleaning, get the wash cloth and submerge it in the hot water. Press this against your face for a couple of minutes to open up your skin pores for easier whitehead extraction. If in case your whitehead breaks, just wipe it off with cotton balls.

The next step on how to get rid of whiteheads is to sterilize the sewing needle using alcohol. After sterilizing the needle, gently prick the tip of your whitehead. Upon puncturing the whitehead, wipe off the oozing pus using sterile gauze or cotton ball. Gentle pressure may be needed to clear out the blood and pus.

The last measure on how to get rid of whiteheads is to wipe the skin using another cotton ball with alcohol. This protects your skin from scarring and further infection. You may put on an adhesive strip. This locks down any bacteria that have been left behind.

Other measures

Another way on how to get rid of whiteheads is with the use of products containing benzoyl peroxide. This substance is efficient in unclogging the pores and removing debris like dead skin cells. This also helps in eliminating the bacteria causing whiteheads. Aside from that, benzoyl peroxide works as a preventive solution to future outbreaks once you use this regularly. However, this causes dryness and flaking on the skin surface when used excessively. This is why it helps to apply a moisturizer when using this product.

If you find it really difficult to outdo your whiteheads and couldn’t stand their annoying outbreaks again and again, consulting a dermatologist is something you should do. The best means on how to get rid of whiteheads is of course getting the opinion of a skin expert. Your skin doctor shall thoroughly assess your condition and investigate other factors that could lead to chronic whitehead outburst. Aside from that, your doctor could recommend the best solution for your condition and the most suitable treatment solution for your skin type.

Healthy lifestyle

Though consulting a dermatologist is likely you would do when wanting to know the best approach on how to get rid of whiteheads, there are other measures you can apply to control these. The very first one is to lead a healthy lifestyle. Definitely, lifestyle has something to do with your whiteheads. Employing good hygienic practices help in getting rid of these infuriating skin blemishes. Though regular washing is beneficial, make sure that you do not over scrub your face when doing so. Excessive rubbing would damage the skin layers and cause further whitehead outbreaks. It is enough that you wash your face in the morning and before going to bed using a mild cleanser or soap. Also, limiting the use of makeup and other cosmetic products is another measure on how to get rid of whiteheads. If you can’t avoid wearing makeup, then use a product that is noncomedogenic and not oil-based.

Aside from that, part of lifestyle changes that is effective in dealing with whiteheads is keeping away from using garments or hats that can clog your skin pores. Also, having healthy diet is an answer on how to get rid of whiteheads. Stay away from chocolates and fatty or greasy foods, and eat lots of fruits and vegetables. To keep your skin hydrated, drink plenty of water or fruit juices daily.

Alternative treatments

One of the most popular natural remedy on how to get rid of whiteheads is through tea tree oil. This essential oil is very beneficial in keeping the skin healthy by unclogging the pores and destroying the bacteria causing whiteheads. In some researches, people who have been using tea tree oil have gained a much better skin complexion and effectively got rid of their whiteheads without manifesting skin irritation and other side effects.

Another technique on how to get rid of whiteheads is by taking zinc supplements. This is a popular choice among those who suffer from chronic acne. Zinc is beneficial in repairing damaged skin tissues and help in the overall maintenance and health of the skin.

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