A whitehead is a type of acne that develops when dead skin cells, oil, and germs become caught in one of your pores. Whiteheads can be aggravating, and they often appear at inconvenient times.
The good news is that whiteheads can be avoided by combining lifestyle changes and medical treatments.
What exactly causes whiteheads?
Understanding what causes whiteheads can help you avoid them in the future. Whiteheads are caused mostly by clogged pores. Pores can get clogged for a variety of reasons.
Hormonal fluctuations, which are major acne triggers, are one reason of blocked pores. Certain life stages might cause your pores to generate more sebum, or oil. Increased oil production results in blocked pores and whiteheads.
These stages are as follows:
Puberty
Menstruation
Pregnancy
Certain progesterone-only contraceptives may raise hormone levels and trigger acne flare-ups in women. Similarly, some women experience increased acne at certain times of their menstrual cycles after discontinuing birth control tablets.
Several research studies
According to Trusted Source, genetics also have a part in the development of many types of acne, including whiteheads. If someone in your family has acne, you are more likely to have it as well.
Whiteheads can also occur in regions of high friction, such as the chin from a chin-strap on athletic gear.
Where can you find whiteheads?
A whitehead can appear anywhere on the body. The T-zone is made up of the nose, chin, and forehead. Acne may be more common in areas of your face that are very greasy, such as the T-zone.
Whiteheads can also appear on:
your back, shoulders, and arms
Acne can affect both men and women at any age. Even if you never had whiteheads as a teen, you can still develop them as an adult.
How to Get Rid of Whiteheads
Whiteheads are a type of acne that is considered mild. They are relatively simple to treat.
The first-line treatment for whiteheads is a topical retinoid. However, it takes three months for topical retinoids to have any effect. They should be used preferably everyday.
Hope it helps!