5 Ways to Get Rid of Whiteheads

1. First Try a Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment

The best approach for the treatment of whiteheads is benzoyl peroxide, which destroys and inhibits growth of acne bacteria (P.acnes). In addition, it reduces the clogging of pores, which will prevent future outbreaks. You can find benzoyl peroxide gels, lotions, creams, soaps, ointments and pads at your local drugstore. It may, however, take you 1 to 2 weeks to notice improvement, and it can dry out your skin.

2. Use Salicylic Acid, Resorcinol or Sulfur When Benzoyl Peroxide Fails

If you find that benzoyl peroxide treatments do not stop your acne, give resorcinol or sulfur treatments a go. These over-the-counter treatments will effectively dry out whiteheads. However, resorcinol and sulfur treatments are not always available in your local drugstore, so you may need to purchase these at a beauty supply or department store. They also can be more expensive than benozyl peroxide products.

If cost is an issue, try a salicylic acid preparation which can be found at your local drugstore in many forms and is similar in price to benzoyl peroxide preparations. You could also try a combination approach using both a benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid preparation. Try to use a face wash with 1 percent salicylic acid and a spot treatment with 2.5 percent benxoyl peroxide. This combination approach prevents the overdrying and overtreating of your skin. If you experience more severe whitehead outbreaks, make an appointment with your dermatologist to discuss other options. Topical prescription medications such as tretinoin are effective for more severe cases of whiteheads.

3. Do Not Try This at Home

Make sure to have a dermatologist extract any whiteheads. You should not do this yourself at home. While it may be tempting to extract a whitehead yourself, picking at your face can lead to scarring, bleeding and infection. That's why you should let a trained medical practitioner do the dirty deed. A dermatologist will use a sterile small, metal, circular instrument to remove the pus within the whitehead. She will place the small device around the center of the whitehead and push down on the surrounding skin, which will cause the pus to extrude.

4. Suds up Twice Daily

The best way to treat and prevent whiteheads is to maintain a good skin care regimen. Try to cleanse your face twice daily with a mild cleanser. Do not use any products with harsh irritants that can aggravate your skin even more. When you purchase a cleanser at your local drugstore or department store, remember that those with fewer ingredients are generally better. Your best bet would be a facial cleanser for sensitive skin, which will be free of perfumes and dyes.

5. Go Oil-Free

Hydrating your skin is very important but oil-based lotions, creams and ointments can further clog your pores and cause whitehead breakouts. Opt for oil-free lotions, creams or ointments since these products will increase hydration within your skin but will not clog your pores. They are available at your local drugstore, beauty supply store or department store. Additionally, oil-free makeup is a good option if you are prone to whitehead breakouts.