How to remove blackheads and whiteheads permanently at home

• Introduction: 
• What Causes Whiteheads? 
• Symptoms: 
• Suggested Home Remedies: 
  • 1. Honey 
  • 2. Aloe Vera 
  • 3. Tea Tree Oil 
  • 4. Witch Hazel 
  • 5. Coconut Oil 
• Preventive Measures: 
• When to Seek Medical Help?  
• Conclusion:  
• Frequently Asked Questions: 
  • What is the difference between blackheads and whiteheads? 
  • Are whiteheads contagious? 
  • Can I squeeze the whiteheads to remove them? 
  • Can home remedies help me get rid of whiteheads permanently? 
• References: 

Introduction: 

Whiteheads are tiny, whitish or yellowish, generally painless bumpy lesions which appear on the skin. They are also called closed comedones (singular-comedo). They are a type of acne that commonly occur over the nose, chin, forehead, neck, chest, back and the upper part of the cheeks and arms. 

Whiteheads are commonly seen in adolescents, but they can also affect adults. A persistent long-standing whitehead is called milia. It appears as a small white bump due to the normally shed skin cells getting confined in small sacs on the skin surface.1,2 

What Causes Whiteheads? 

Our skin contains hair follicles all over. Around these hair follicles, there are small glands called sebaceous or oil glands. These sebaceous glands secrete sebum, a substance which is oily in nature. Normally, this sebum is drained out to the skin surface through the hair follicle.  

• When the hair follicle gets blocked, this sebum gets trapped inside. Eventually, the sebaceous gland or the hair follicle gets inflamed (swelled).1,2 The inflammation can be due to: 
• Infection of the sebaceous gland by bacteria known as Propionibacterium acnes.3 
• Atypical development of keratin (a protein present in hair, nails and skin) 
• Excessive sebum production2 
• Whiteheads are a form of acne vulgaris.1 They can be genetic.  
• It can also be caused by conditions like puberty, menstrual cycle, hot weather and stress, as these situations make the sebaceous glands hyperactive, causing them to produce more sebum.  
• Toxic exposure to certain chemicals (especially dioxin) and some face washes can also result in whiteheads (acne).1 

Symptoms: 

Whiteheads are milder versions of acne. They usually appear in areas of the skin which have oily glands in abundance, like the face, upper back and upper chest.1Whiteheads appear as small yellowish or whitish protuberances on the skin.2They do not cause any redness, pain, swelling or a sensation of heat as they are non-inflammatory by nature. They also don’t contain pus.1  

Suggested Home Remedies: 

Getting rid of whiteheads need not be an expensive affair! Read along to know several natural remedies that will help you tackle whiteheads at home. 

1. Honey 

Honey is known to be anti-bacterial. It helps to inhibit the growth of Propionibacterium acnes, which is a causative factor for whiteheads, a type of acne.1,3 To use honey, take the required quantity of honey in a glass bowl. Add a little water to it so that its consistency is comfortable enough for you to apply to the skin. Apply this to the affected area and keep it on for 15-20 minutes. You can wash it off with lukewarm water. 

2. Aloe Vera 

Aloe vera contains substances that act as an astringent and tighten the skin pores. It also has an anti-bacterial effect that helps fight whiteheads, a type of acne.1,4Take an Aloe vera leaf and cut off the flat end of the leaf first. Then slit it open vertically to reveal the aloe gel inside. You can scoop out this gel and apply it directly to the skin. Wash off after 15-20 minutes. 

3. Tea Tree Oil 

Tea tree oil has anti-microbial properties. It is known to reduce whiteheads on the skin.5 You can take tea tree oil in a bowl and add any carrier oil like coconut, jojoba or olive oil to it and mix thoroughly. With a clean cotton swab, dab this mixture onto the affected part and keep it on for 15-20 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water and pat dry. 

4. Witch Hazel 

Witch hazel contains tannins which give it an astringent quality (helps the skin cells to contract). It also inhibits the growth of micro-organisms (antiseptic), especially bacteria and also helps to reduce inflammation due to whiteheads (acne).6 Take the required quantity of witch hazel solution in a bowl. Dip a clean cotton ball in it and apply to the affected areas. Do not rinse. 

5. Coconut Oil 

Coconut oil has anti-bacterial action against the bacteria causing whiteheads.7 Before using it, ensure that the skin is cleansed and dried properly. Take the required quantity of coconut oil on your clean hand and massage it thoroughly on the affected skin area. You may leave the oil overnight and then wash it with tepid water on waking up. 

Also Read: Natural Home Remedies for Oily Skin

Preventive Measures: 

It is difficult to prevent whiteheads completely, but some things do help: 

• Opt for non-comedogenic makeup products. 
• Always remove makeup from your face before you go to bed at night. 
• Do not touch your face frequently. 
• Keep your hair clean. 
• Ensure that hair products do not come in contact with your face. 
• Keep your face clean using a mild face wash with warm water.2 

When to Seek Medical Help?  

Most whiteheads go away on their own in about seven days, but you can seek medical help as soon as you notice the appearance of whiteheads. 

Whiteheads during adolescence, though not life-threatening, can have a psychological impact on the person. It can affect the self-image too. At such times, it is essential to seek help from a healthcare provider, especially if one is experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety due to the whiteheads.2 

Conclusion:  

Whiteheads are small yellowish or whitish eruptions occurring on the skin, especially in areas where there are a lot of oil glands when the sebum produced by oil glands gets trapped inside a hair follicle. The trapped sebum cause inflammation of the gland or hair follicle due to infection of the sebaceous gland by bacteria, extra sebum production or abnormal development of keratin. While whiteheads can be hereditary, they are also caused by conditions which make the sebaceous glands hyperactive and by toxic chemicals. 

Having whiteheads on the skin is a fairly common condition, especially in the adolescent age group. Though not dangerous, they may have an emotional impact on the individual having them, and one must seek medical help if one is feeling depressed or anxious due to whiteheads. 

Honey, aloe vera, tea tree oil, witch hazel and coconut oil are some natural solutions for whiteheads. With these home remedies, you can tackle whiteheads on your face, neck or back in a natural way, at the comfort of your home. 

Also Read: Effective Home Remedies For Blackheads

Frequently Asked Questions: 

What is the difference between blackheads and whiteheads? 

Blackheads are called open comedones as the affected skin surface remains open. On the other hand, whiteheads are called closed comedones because the affected skin surface remains closed. Moreover, blackheads appear brown or black in colour, while whiteheads appear whitish or yellow.1,2 

Are whiteheads contagious? 

No, whiteheads are not contagious at all. They cannot be transmitted from one person to another.2 

Can I squeeze the whiteheads to remove them? 

Squeezing whiteheads is not recommended, as trying to extract them can cause infection or inflammation of that part of the skin. Trying to extract them by squeezing can also cause scarring.2 

Can home remedies help me get rid of whiteheads permanently? 

While the above-mentioned home remedies have shown beneficial effects for tackling whiteheads, there is not enough scientific evidence to state that their effect is permanent. 

Also Read: Home Remedies For Facial Hair

References: 

1. Ramli R, Malik A, Hani A, Jamil A. Acne analysis, grading and computational assessment methods: an overview. Skin Research and Technology [Internet]. 2011 [cited 12 May 2022];18(1):1-14. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0846.2011.00542.x 

1. Whiteheads: What They Are, Causes, Treatment & Prevention [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. 2022 [cited 12 May 2022]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22039-whiteheads 

1. McLoone P, Oluwadun A, Warnock M, Fyfe L. Honey: A Therapeutic Agent for Disorders of the Skin. Central Asian Journal of Global Health [Internet]. 2016 [cited 12 May 2022];5(1). Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5661189/ 

1. Surjushe A, Vasani R, Saple D. Aloe vera: A short review. Indian Journal of Dermatology [Internet]. 2008 [cited 12 May 2022];53(4):163. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/ 

1. Bassett I, Barnetson R, Pannowitz D. A comparative study of tea‐tree oil versus benzoylperoxide in the treatment of acne. Medical Journal of Australia [Internet]. 1990 [cited 12 May 2022];153(8):455-458. Available from: https://europepmc.org/article/med/2145499 

1. Hring T, Hili P, Naughton D. Antioxidant and potential anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and formulations of white tea, rose, and witch hazel on primary human dermal fibroblast cells. Journal of Inflammation [Internet]. 2011 [cited 12 May 2022];8(1). Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3214789/pdf/1476-9255-8-27.pdf/?tool=EBI 

1. Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. International journal of molecular sciences. 2017 Dec 27;19(1):70. Available from : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796020/ 

Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.