Whiteheads are a combination
of oils, sebum and cellular
fragments that produce firm
to hard plugs within hair
follicles. They are closed
from the skin's surface by
cellular debris at the
follicle opening. Because
they have no contact with
oxygen, they do not oxidize
or turn brown, as blackheads
do. They form a light or
yellow-white lump and are
called milia (or milium,
singular). When bacteria
are added to these plugs,
the condition can lead to
acne, especially cystic
acne.
Whiteheads are promoted by
excessive cellular
exfoliation, which quickly
clog or block the
follicles. Some skin
specialists believe
individuals with frequent
and multiple blackheads and
whiteheads produce sebum
that is drier than normal
and conducive to forming
firm plugs. Sebum
contributes to skin oils and
people with dry sebum may
have dry skin and this may
be especially true of people
with chronic whiteheads but
it is also possible to have
dry sebum with oily skin.
The sebaceous glands
normally produce sebum with
linoleic acid (omega 6), an
essential fatty acid. This
type of sebum has a liquid
viscosity. It is calming to
the skin and does not
promote follicular
irritation that leads to
plugs. When linoleic acid
is not available, the
sebaceous glands produce
sebum with oleic acid. This
oleic form of sebum is
irritating to the skin and
promotes plugs. Oleic sebum
is much firmer than linoleic
sebum and is prone to
producing hard plugs rather
than flowing out of the
follicle. This causes
blackheads and whiteheads
and both of these conditions
may lead to acne infections.
People with large numbers of
whiteheads may have an
inability to digest or
absorb linoleic acid, which
leads to sebum produced with
an oleic acid form of sebum.
Skin
Care for Blackheads and
Whiteheads
The key
to skin care for acne is
consistency. An overnight
cure has not been found. But
using good skin care methods
aids in the daily, steady
improvement of follicle
health. Since acne is not
caused by eating certain
foods, restricting the diet
is not helpful. Since it is
also not caused by "dirty"
skin, excessively scrubbing
does not help and can even
make the skin more
irritated.
The best
skin care for comedones
consists of once-a-day
cleansing with a mild soap
or facial scrub to aid in
the removal of excess sebum
and dead skin cells.
Oil-based makeup should not
be used since these can
contribute to the buildup of
oil in the follicles.
Water-based makeup labeled
as non-comedogenic can be
used safely.
Treatment of Blackheads and
Whiteheads
Treatment
of whiteheads and blackheads
takes time. Most treatments
take several weeks to months
before a noticeable change
is seen.
