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How to Remove Embedded Whiteheads

How to Remove Embedded Whiteheads


Acne can occur on anyone's skin at any time of life. It often appears as simple whiteheads, which look like small, pus-filled pockets on the face. When pores get clogged with oil, dead skin cells and bacteria, the material gets trapped inside and forms pus, according to Brown University Health Education. Sometimes, these whiteheads are severe and are deeply embedded into the pore, making them hard to treat. Though it may be tempting to pop those pimples, it's a much better idea to use dermatologist-approved treatment methods to remove embedded whiteheads.


Step 1

Use a gentle facial soap and warm water to wash your face each morning and night. Make sure the soap is oil-free so it won't clog your pores, says the American Academy of Dermatology on AcneNet. Avoid scrubs, as they can irritate embedded whiteheads and break them open, leaving the possibility of scarring.

Step 2

Use an over-the-counter acne treatment on your embedded whiteheads. Look for products with benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid as main ingredients, says AcneNet. Dab this cream directly onto your embedded whiteheads after cleansing to dry up the blemishes and prevent their return.

Step 3

Apply a prescription cream to your embedded whiteheads if over-the-counter solutions don't work. Stronger topical forms of benzoyl peroxide may be prescribed as well as topical antibiotics or retinoids, according to Brown University Health Education.

Step 4

Schedule an appointment to have your embedded whiteheads professionally removed. Using a sterile tool, a dermatologist will push down on the skin surrounding whiteheads that are deeply embedded into the skin, forcing the material inside to come out, says AcneNet. This may need to be repeated to completely remove the severe whitehead for good.

Things You'll Need

  • Gentle soap
  • Water
  • Over-the-counter acne medication
  • Prescription acne medication







How to Drain Whiteheads



A whitehead is named for its appearance, having a characteristically creamy white color. The whiteness of a whitehead is caused by oil trapped in your pore, resulting in a raised, white blemish. It's tempting to pop a whitehead since they the trapped oil is so close to the surface of the skin, but doing so improperly could result in permanent tissue damage and scarring. If you must pop and drain a whitehead, do so carefully and cleanly so as not to cause long-lasting side effects.


Step 1

Sterilize a sewing needle by wiping it down with rubbing alcohol. Never use an unsterilized needle as it could harbor bacteria, which leads to infection when introduced into an open wound on the face, such as a popped whitehead.

Step 2

Wash your hands with antibacterial hand soap to avoid transferring bacteria from your hands to your face, resulting in more acne and potential infection.

Step 3

Insert the tip of the needle into the side of the whitehead and guide it through until the tip of the needle emerges from the opposite side of the whitehead. While it's tempting to squeeze your whiteheads to pop them, doing so damages the tissue around the whitehead, leading to scarring.

Step 4

Pull upward on the needle to break the shaft through the top of the whitehead. This creates a puncture in the sealed pore.

Step 5

Place a clean washcloth or tissue over the broken whitehead and apply light pressure to soak up the discharge. Never squeeze the whitehead; rely on downward pressure to drain the whitehead instead.

Step 6

Cover the whitehead with a thin layer of antibacterial ointment to kill bacteria and aid in the healing process.

Things You'll Need:

  • Needle
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Antibacterial hand soap
  • Tissue
  • Antibacterial ointment









Home Remedies For Whiteheads - Treat Tiny White Bumps Or Spots Naturally

Home Remedies For Whiteheads - Treat Tiny White Bumps Or Spots Naturally





Whiteheads are a form of acne vulgaris, a very common skin problem these days. Excess sebum or body's natural oil combine with dead skin cells and clog hair follicles, resulting in whiteheads. Whiteheads appear as tiny white bumps or spots and they generally throng the areas where the skin is delicate. Usually sides of nose, under eyes, temples, cheeks and foreheads are areas where whiteheads occur in plenty. Whiteheads generally lie just below the skin. 

Thus the accumulated oil and keratin do not come in contact with air and are not oxidized. This explains why the whiteheads are white in color. Whiteheads are medically termed as closed comedones. Whiteheads mark the preliminary symptoms of acne. Whiteheads, if become infected, lead to other forms of acne. Most adolescents and young adults are affected by this problem. The hormonal upheaval during adolescence causes excess sebum production, giving rise to whitehead problem. The possible whitehead triggers may be listed as follows: 

1. Over-active sebaceous glands
2. Hormonal changes
3. Cortisone medication
4. Excessive sun exposure
5. Excessive exposure to dirt and pollutants
6. Lack of proper hygiene
7. Toxicity in blood
8. Excessive consumption of oily, fried food
9. Low fluid intake. 

Home Remedies for Whiteheads 

1. Rub skin with the inner side of lemon peel. This removes whiteheads. 

2. Mix some vinegar and cornstarch to make a paste. Apply the paste on affected regions and keep for 30 minutes. Then wash off with warm water. This is an effective home remedy for whiteheads. 

3. Mix sandalwood powder and rose water to make a paste. Apply the paste on affected regions and keep for 20 minutes. Then wash with warm water. This helps to remove whiteheads. 

4. Application of poultice made of grated potato on skin relieves whitehead problem. 

5. Grind fenugreek leaves with water to make a paste. Apply the pate on skin and keep overnight. Next morning, wash off with warm water. This is highly beneficial in treating whiteheads problem. 

6. Combine 1 tablespoon lime juice and 1 tablespoon groundnut oil. Apply the mixture on skin and keep for sometime. This removes the whiteheads. 

7. Steam your face for 10 minutes. This opens up clogged skin pores and allows easy removal. 

8. Mix 2 teaspoon lime juice, 50 ml raw milk and a pinch of salt. Use the mixture to cleanse pores of whiteheads. 

9. Roast and grind pomegranate skin to a powder. Mix the powder with some lime juice to make a paste. Apply the paste on the affected areas. Do this daily to get rid of whiteheads. 

10. Splash face with Epsom salt mixed lukewarm water many times during the day. This treats whiteheads effectively. 

11. Increase your fluid intake and consume fiber rich diet. 

12. Keep hands away from face. Frequently touching face with hands actually transfers dirt, oil, germs on to the face and exacerbates the problem 

13. Curb the consumption of junk food, caffeine and alcohol. 












Do Certain Foods Cause Whiteheads?

Do Certain Foods Cause Whiteheads?




Whitehead Acne
Acne is a skin disorder that causes hair follicles under the skin to become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Acne can form anywhere, but mostly appears on the face, neck and back. While it is most common in teenagers, anyone can develop acne. While the exact cause of acne is unknown, MedlinePlus reports consuming oily and fatty foods or chocolate contributes to the cause; it is also thought to be caused by hormonal changes. There are several medications and skin cleaners to help with acne, but a healthy diet is the primary treatment to clear up your acne.
The body's follicles are each attached to a gland called the sebaceous gland. This gland secretes oil to keep the skin and hair lubricated. When the follicle opening is plugged with excess oil or dead skin cells, the secretion of this oil is blocked, causing a whitehead. Should this follicle become infected, a raised red bump with a whitehead, or pimple, may form.

Whitehead Acne Causing Foods


Foods that are spicy, greasy and fatty may cause whitehead acne; dairy products and sweets, such as sugar and chocolate, may also contribute to breakouts, according to Bob Dorris, doctor of oriental medicine. While the connection between food and acne has not clearly been established, there appears to be at least a weak correlation between the two, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you are susceptible to whitehead acne, you may want to experiment with foods to see if they contribute to breakouts. Pizza, French fries, onion rings and chicken wings may taste good, but they may also be what are causing whitehead acne to break out.

    Food Allergies


    While it is not clear what causes food allergies to occur, the allergies often cause whitehead acne to occur. In fact, according to Dr. Stephen Wanger, who specializes in food allergies, the No. 1 cause of acne is food allergies; dairy products being the biggest culprit. When allergic to a certain food, the body may react to its presence as it would bacteria or virus; this may lead to skin inflammations that result in acne.

      Acne Diet


      According to Dr. Dorris, just as there are foods that cause whitehead acne, certain foods help prevent breakouts. To decrease the risk of acne, your diet should include lightly cooked vegetables, wheat-free grains and small servings of protein each day. Since fruit is high in natural sugar, you should enjoy it sparingly. Other foods to minimize include dairy, caffeine, processed foods and foods that contain sugar. Drinking water will also help your body flush out toxins that could cause acne.









      Home Remedies for a Whitehead

      Home Remedies for a Whitehead


      Whiteheads are small raised bumps on the surface of the skin. The bumps are commonly filled with pus or fluid that is white or yellow in appearance. Caused by pores that are clogged with sebum, dirt and debris, whiteheads are a form of acne. Commonly seen on the face, back and chest, whiteheads appear on the body where there is an increase in oil production. While whiteheads are commonly seen on teenagers, they can also occur at any age, including the early childhood years.


      Salt Exfolliant

      Mix three tablespoons of table salt with a table spoon of soap shavings. Mix together and add a splash of water to make a paste. Rub the paste onto the skin to exfoliate it and open any whiteheads that need to come to a head. Rinse your face with lukewarm water, dry and then apply a toner such as witch hazel to deep clean and shrink pores.

      Toothpaste

      Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the whitehead at night. Allow the toothpaste to dry and then gently wash it away in the morning. The toothpaste will dry out the fluid in the whitehead. Baking soda is an alternative to using toothpaste.

      Milk Cleanser

      Mix together two tablespoons of milk, one teaspoon of lemon and a pinch of salt. Use as a facial wash to cleanse and soften skin as well as treat whiteheads.

      Lemon Juice

      Squeeze one lemon to create a juice. Heat the juice in the microwave until it is warm. Apply it to the face using a clean washcloth. As an alternative, add lemon juice to a pot of very warm water. Put your face over the pot and allow the steam to penetrate and cleanse your pores. Drape a towel over your head to keep the stream concentrated on the face.

      Tea Tree Oil

      Apply tea tree oil to the effected areas once daily. This essential oil has antibacterial properties and is easily absorbed by the skin. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a 1990 study comparing the commonly used acne medication benzoyl peroxide to tea tree oil found that participants showed improvement from using both products. Tea tree oil was also found to have fewer side effects.