Whiteheads Comedones, blemishes, zits — these terms all describe the same unwelcome phenomenon. The good news is that there are some simple things that you can do at home to help fight these nasty imperfections.
Whiteheads are classic dome-shaped pimples, rising above the surrounding skin in a dramatic bulge of pimply majesty. Whether you’re prone to a small breakout of an occasional whitehead or cope with chronic bumper crops of pimples, a different skin care regimen may help.
Before you try to get rid of whiteheads on your own, seek your skin care professional’s advice. Pimples aren’t the only things that trouble your skin. Milia, tiny grain-like white bumps, do not result from bacterial overgrowth as whiteheads do. A dermatologist will tell you what’s really causing those bumps and help you eradicate them.
If you do have whiteheads, clean your face as gently as possible. Overzealous scrubbing will only make the problem worse. Harsh scrubbing breaks the skin and spreads bacteria elsewhere on your face, leading to future breakouts. Choose a cleanser formulated for troubled or acne-prone skin. Be wary of products that strip oil from your skin; overly drying products cause more trouble than they heal.
Whiteheads sometimes succumb to the same ingredients that give anti-dandruff shampoo its power. Try washing your face with a shampoo designed to combat dandruff; you may find that it works better than any commercial facial cleanser. This method is especially good if you have pimples with dry skin.
An aspirin mask can clear even the mightiest whitehead, but it can also dry your skin. Use this technique with caution. Dissolve two or three aspirin tablets in just enough water to form a paste. Apply the paste thinly to the affected areas of your skin and leave the mask until it dries. Rinse your face thoroughly in lukewarm water and pat your skin dry. Aspirin reduces inflammation, dries the whitehead and acts as an antibacterial agent.
As tempting as it is, do not pop, pick or squeeze. You run the risk of causing permanent scarring if a popped whitehead becomes infected, and scars are much harder to fix than whiteheads!
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