They might not be red and painful like pimples, but whiteheads are a form of acne just the same. Whiteheads, also called comedones, are the mildest form of acne and respond to many over-the-counter acne treatments. If your whiteheads don't improve after home treatment, ask your doctor about prescription-strength acne medication and other treatments for whiteheads.
Identification
Facial whiteheads form when dead skin cells and skin oils clog pores. Clogs that forms just under the surface of the skin result cause whiteheads. Blackheads are comedones that are open to the air; oxidization causes their black appearance. Pimples and acne cysts result from deeper, inflamed clogs.
Risk Factors
During adolescence, hormonal changes cause an increase in the amount of oil your oil glands produce. The extra oil tends to clog the pores, causing acne. Hormonal changes related to the use of birth-control pills, menstruation, pregnancy or menopause can trigger excess oil production in women. Family history may also play a part in acne, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. If your mother, father or siblings had an acne problem, you may be more likely to develop whiteheads.
Home Treatment
Whiteheads typically respond to topical medications that decrease the ability of skin cells to stick together, the American Academy of Family Physicians explains. Over-the-counter creams, lotions and ointments that contain ingredients such as resorcinol, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur and salicylic acid cause the skin over whiteheads to break down and peel away. Topical medications don't provide an instant reduction in whiteheads and must be applied daily for four weeks or longer for maximum effectiveness, the American Academy of Dermatology advises.
Medical Treatment
If home treatment doesn't help improve your whiteheads or if you have so many whiteheads that home treatment isn't practical, your doctor may prescribe stronger medication, such as a topical retinoid medication. Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that help unclog whiteheads and can help reduce the number of new whiteheads on your face. When topical whitehead medication is ineffective, your doctor can remove the whiteheads with a comedone extractor, a special device that punctures the comedones and forces the clogs to the surface of the skin. Your doctor may also recommend treatment with an oral antibiotic if topical medications don't help resolve your whiteheads.
Prevention/Solution
Whiteheads don't just form due to excess skin oil, but can develop due to the presence of any sort of oil on your face. Oil from make-up, lotions and sunscreen can also clog your pores and cause whiteheads. Look for oil-free versions of these products and be sure to remove skin products every night with a mild cleanser. Oil from your hair is another possible cause of whiteheads. Washing your hair daily and keeping your hair away from your face will help reduce the amount of hair oil on your face.
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