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Home » Uncategorized » Stop Popping Your Whiteheads And Do These Things Instead – AOL

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Whiteheads are one of the most common forms of acne, but that doesnt make them any less annoying to deal with. While weve all seen TikTok videos swearing to have found holy grail products that rid away all acne, whiteheads are still a nuisance for most. Luckily, though, there are tons of options on how to prevent and treat whiteheads safely and effectively.

Whiteheads can develop on anyone's skin, but they are most commonly seen in people with oily or acne-prone skin, says Rahi Sarbaziha, MD, an integrative aesthetics specialist in Beverly Hills and the founder of Dr. Rahi. Hormonal changes during puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy can also increase the likelihood of developing whiteheads.

Meet Our Experts: Rahi Sarbaziha, MD, integrative aesthetics specialist in Beverly Hills and founder of Dr. Rahi, Geeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology, Kseniya Kobets, MD, dermatologist and director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore-Einstein Advanced Care

Okay, but how do you prevent and get rid of whiteheads once and for all? Glad you asked! It's important to remember that whiteheads are a common skin condition that can be managed with proper skin care and treatment, adds Dr. Sarbaziha. "Just be patient, because it may take a few weeks to see results."

Keep reading to see exactly what dermatologists recommend for getting rid of whiteheads and saying hello to clear, glassy skin.

Whiteheads are a type of acne known as a closed comedone, meaning that oil and/or dead skin has blocked a hair follicle or pore and created a closed bump on the skin and they can appear whitish or yellowish, says Geeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology. These pesky pimples are raised bumps on the skin, and they're typically found on the face, chest, and back.

Youre likely also familiar with their cousin, blackheads, which are the open comedones exposed to air and ultimately oxidized, which turns the clogged pore black, says Kseniya Kobets, MD, dermatologist and director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore-Einstein Advanced Care.

Unfortunately, whiteheads are extremely common because theyre caused by inflammation, which could be triggered by acne-causing bacteria or excess oil production, says Dr. Yadav.

Open comedones, or whiteheads, are a result of abnormal collection of sebum (oil produced by sebaceous gland) and keratin (protein produced by the pore) in a pore under the skin, adds Dr. Kobets.

This can be predisposed by genetics or other factors like excess androgens (aka sex steroids or sex hormones) that impact activity of the oil gland and oil production in the skin, which is one contributing factor why adolescents start to breakout during puberty, she explains. There is also some evidence of low glycemic load diets, meaning diets low in sugar, being associated with lower incidence of acne, and a diet high in sugar and processed foods can exacerbate acne.

What you put on your skin also matters and may be causing whitehead breakouts, adds Dr. Kobets. Topical oils like coconut oil, shea butter, and Vaseline may also contribute to whiteheads and acne overtime, and heavy makeup, especially with dimethicone, can also clog pores.

First things first. To prevent whiteheads, always wash off *all* makeup completely with micellar water, followed by a second cleanse, says Dr. Kobets. This is especially important if you wear heavier makeup and foundation. Dr. Sarbaziha also recommends gently exfoliating to buff away dead skin and reduce the appearance of pores with the Goldfaden MDs Doctor Scrub.

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That said, you don't want to overwash your skin (even if you think its keeping it extra clean and oil free), because this may have the opposite effect, says Dr. Yadav. [Overwashing] can strip your skin of its natural oils and may cause your skin to produce even more oil to help restore nourishment, so I'd suggest gently cleansing with a micellar water as needed.

Its also best to avoid products with excess oils and dimethicone (a silicone-based polymer commonly used as a skin protectant in skincare and makeup), adds Dr. Kobets. These may feel dewy on the skin, but over time they may clog pores, especially in acne-prone individuals.

In the same vein, taming oil production is also key for whitehead prevention. I'd suggest using a skincare product that contains niacinamide, which can help regulate oil production, notes Dr. Yadav. Oil can be a favorite food of blemish-causing bacteria, so it's important to keep skin clean and balanced.

And last but certainly not least, retinol may be your new best friend. Retinol helps regulate oil and skin cell turnover, making it a skincare powerhouse because it treats both acne and signs of skin aging, says Dr. Yadav.

When you already have whiteheads, the above skincare prevention tips still apply, but there are plenty of additional options to get rid of the pesky bumps.

First of all, in my professional opinion, I do not recommend to strip acne skin of oils with harsh astringents, scrubs, and alcohols, says Dr. Kobets. Instead, we need to gently restore the skin barrier to restore balance, because by restoring the skin barrier dysfunction, it also preps the skin to tolerate more irritating acne-treatment regimens whether over the counter or prescribed by dermatologists.

The skin barrier is restored by using pH-balanced cleansers that wash off dirt and oils but replenish the skin with ceramides, explains Dr. Kobets. One of her personal favorites is the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser "because it has a foaming action, but still has the protective ingredients of ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide which is an antioxidant that reduces redness and pigmentation.

Topical retinoids are another go-to for fighting whiteheadsunless youre pregnant, says Dr. Kobets. Retinoids may help prevent or decrease comedonal acne by shrinking oil glands, and they also increase the turnover of the top layer of the skin, helping to clear out the clogged pores, she explains. Just make sure to apply sunscreen behind any retinoids.

Another great option for whitehead removal are benzoyl peroxide cleansers and topicals, says Dr. Kobets. If your skin is prone to dryness, try to use a product with a low concentration of the ingredient, around four percent.

Lastly, salicylic acid is also a must since it's a chemical exfoliant that works within the pore, rather than on the skin's surface, to break down dead skin cells and other buildup that leaves pores congested, says Dr. Yadav. Regularly using a salicylic acid product, can help get rid of whiteheads, keep pores clear, and act as an anti-inflammatory agent to help with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, adds Dr. Kobets.

If you experience whiteheads while pregnant (which is extremely common), Dr. Kobets suggests talking with your doctor about a prescription topical known as azelaic acid (Finacea), which can help with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

While topicals may do the trick, sometimes thats not enough. If youre still battling whiteheads without success, check-in with your doc about prescription oral contraceptives and hormonal blockers which can be used to treat severe comedonal acne, adds Dr. Kobets.

Simply put, no. It is pretty much never okay to pop your own pimples, but if you must, only squeeze a whitehead if it is ready to burst, says Dr. Yadav. You will know if it's ready if gently pulling the surrounding skin away from the blemish causes it to expel its contents, but only do this with clean hands and do not use your fingernails or other tools.

And if the whitehead doesn't pop, leave it alone! You can speed things along by applying a warm compress to the pimple and this will help push the contents to the surface faster and help the whitehead drain naturally, explains Dr. Yadav. Whiteheads tend to easily resolve on their own, so just let them.

Not to mention, a small inconspicuous whitehead that was popped or squeezed can often result in a painful, inflamed red pustule that can lead to scarring, adds Dr. Sarbaziha.

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Originally published April 24, 2023 at 11:30 AM

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Stop Popping Your Whiteheads And Do These Things Instead - AOL

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Home » Uncategorized » Stop Popping Your Whiteheads And Do These Things Instead – AOL