What Are Whiteheads?

Whiteheads are a type of acne caused by pores that have become clogged with excess dead skin cells, oil, or bacteria. When the pores close up, small white or flesh-colored bumps can form on the skin. These raised bumps are commonly called whiteheads, but they can also be referred to as closed comedones or pimples.

Unlike other types of acne such as papules (raised red bumps) or pustules (pus-filled acne lesions), whiteheads typically present without any clinical signs of inflammation, like redness or swelling. As a milder form of acne, whiteheads are typically easier to treat and manage than those inflammatory types of acne.

While you might not like the look of whiteheads, the good news is that skincare treatments and lifestyle changes can help treat and prevent them.

What Do Whiteheads Look Like?

Whiteheads appear on the skin as tiny, raised, white or flesh-colored bumps. They are dome-shaped without a visible central pore. Whiteheads can burst or the pores can open up, resulting in blackheads, a type of acne that appears as tiny, black spots on the skin.

Whiteheads most commonly develop in areas of the body with large sebaceous (oil) glands, such as the face, chest, and back. They may also appear on the neck or other parts of the body where sebaceous glands are abundant.

A dermatologist (a doctor who specialize in treating conditions affecting the skin, hair, and nails) or other healthcare provider can typically diagnose whiteheads based on their appearance alone.

What Causes Whiteheads?

Whiteheads form when excess bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells build up and clog the opening of a pore.

Whiteheads and other types of acne can be aggravated by stress, lack of sleep, hormones, and certain types of foods. Skincare, hair care, or makeup products that contain oil can also bring on acne like whiteheads.

You can develop whiteheads at any age. While acne is most commonly seen among teenagers—nearly 85% of teenagers have had acne at some point—the condition can also affect babies and adults. Acne has the tendency to run in families, so if your parents had or have whiteheads, you might be likelier to have them too.

Research has also found a link between smoking and acne, in that that smokers are more likely to have acne than non-smokers.

How to Get Rid of Whiteheads

To get rid of whiteheads and unclog pores, consider using a benzoyl peroxide wash and a retinoid (a skincare product derived from vitamin A). A benzoyl peroxide wash, such as those sold by brands like Clearasil and Neutrogena, will help eliminate excess acne-causing bacteria on your skin. Meanwhile, a retinoid will help unclog pores, speed up skin cell turnover, and reduce skin oiliness.

While some types of retinoids are available without a prescription (such as Differin [adapalene]), other types of retinoids (such as Retin-A [tretinoin]) can only be prescribed by a healthcare provider. Of the retinoid options applied to the skin, adapalene is usually the least irritating.

Non-prescription treatments should be given four to six weeks to work. If one type of treatment has not been effective within that time frame, try introducing a second treatment into the mix. For example, you could apply benzoyl peroxide in the morning and a retinoid at night (these two ingredients should not be applied at the same time). Avoid treating whiteheads and other types of acne with more than two acne-fighting products in your daily routine, as too many products can irritate the skin.

If your whiteheads persist or worsen after a month or so of treatment or your acne is affecting your well-being, such as by causing you stress, visit a healthcare provider to discuss further treatment options. Other treatment options may include an extraction performed by your dermatologist or a prescription-based acne treatment.

Oral antibiotics are only recommended for use in moderate-to-severe cases of inflammatory acne that have not responded to topical treatments. As such, oral antibiotics are not recommended for the treatment of whiteheads since the acne type is noninflammatory.

For safe and effective treatment, always follow the instructions and types of products recommended by your provider.

What Not to Do

When trying to eliminate whiteheads, it is important to avoid popping your acne. You'll also not want to scratch, squeeze, pick, or rub the whiteheads. This will help prevent skin infections and prevent scarring.

To avoid the spread of acne-causing bacteria, you should also not touch the area with your hands or fingers.

When you're trying to get rid of whiteheads, you should also refrain from wearing tight hats or headbands, avoid greasy or oily cosmetics or skincare creams, and wash off your makeup before going to bed.

It'd also be a good idea to avoid tanning beds and protect yourself from the sun. Tanning can worsen existing acne. Additionally, some acne treatments can make skin more sensitive to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from tanning beds and the sun. When you are outside, use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant, non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, stay in the shade, or wear sun-protective clothing.

How to Prevent Whiteheads

A main way to prevent whiteheads is by clearing your skin of any of the excess dead skin cells, oil, or bacteria that might clog your pores in the first place. This means cleansing your skin with a gentle, mild cleanser. When doing so, do not scrub excessively. You'll also want to wash your face and body after exercising to remove sweat or dirt.

You can also avoid the development of whiteheads by using water-based or non-comedogenic skincare products and cosmetics. And if you wear makeup, make sure to remove it all at the end of the day.

If you have oily hair, shampoo daily and pull your hair back to keep hair out of your face.

You can also try preventing whiteheads by avoiding any of their potential triggers. Whitehead triggers can include:

• Excessive touching of, resting on, or rubbing of your skin
• Oily cosmetic and hair products
• Certain drugs (such as steroids and estrogen)
• Humidity
• Heavy sweating
• Stress
• Lack of sleep

Some research has indicated that high-glycemic load diets (foods that increase blood sugar faster such as white bread, processed cereals, and white rice) and increased consumption of milk are associated with acne in adolescence. However, further study is needed to confirm the connection. Talk with you healthcare provider about whether any dietary changes may help you or your loved one.

A Quick Review

Whiteheads are a type of acne that affects people of all ages, though it's most commonly seen among teens. Whiteheads looks like tiny, raised, dome-shaped bumps that are white or flesh-colored on the skin.

Fortunately, whiteheads are manageable and treatable with topical skincare treatments such as benzoyl peroxide and retinoids. Implementation of certain lifestyle changes, such as getting more sleep and reducing stress levels, may also help manage acne. Using gentle skin cleansers and keeping your hands away from your face can help prevent whiteheads from developing.

It's important to remain diligent with your treatments and to be patient. It can take more than a month for acne to clear. If over-the-counter whitehead treatments are not effective within four to six weeks, visit a dermatologist or other healthcare provider to discuss additional treatment options.