A whitehead is sebum that is blocked close to the surface of the skin, resulting in an inflamed white spot, notes the American Academy of Dermatology. While the best course of action is to wait and allow the whitehead to go away on its own, you can remove a whitehead carefully as long as you use the proper technique. Squeezing or pinching at the whitehead roughly could result in infection and permanent scarring, so it's best to use a gentler touch.
Step 1
Place a pot of water on the stove to simmer. When it begins to bubble, remove the pot of water, place it on a heat-proof surface or a potholder, and drape a towel over both your head and the pot to create a tent. Allow the steam to circulate the tent, which will help to soften the whitehead for easier removal.
Step 2
Return the pot to the stove to simmer, and place a pin or needle in the water. Wash your hands well with antibacterial soap and wait for 5 minutes. Remove the pin carefully with a set of tongs, and lay it on a clean towel.
Step 3
Insert the pin through the top, white portion of the whitehead, says Dr. Mehmet Oz of "The Dr. Oz Show." Squeezing the whitehead can damage the healthy skin around the blemish, while the skin at the top of your whitehead is already damaged and dead. Slide the pin through the top of the whitehead and pull upward to break the surface of the whitehead.
Step 4
Press a clean cotton swab on either side of the whitehead in order to encourage the discharge to come out of the blemish. Never push so hard that it hurts. Use a third cotton swab to wipe away the discharge.
Step 5
Apply a dab of antibacterial ointment to the affected area. This will help prevent infection of the open sore as it heals. If you notice pain and inflammation, use hydrocortisone cream, which constricts blood vessels so your healing whitehead is less noticeable.
Things You'll Need
- Pot
- Water
- Towel
- Pin
- Cotton swab
- Antibacterial cream
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