Whiteheads, Blackheads and Pimples-Common Acne

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                 Whiteheads, blackheads and pimples are part of the category Acne Vulgarize. This is a form of mild acne. Acne is a typical skin problem facing teenagers that can sometimes continue well into your 30’s.
                Whiteheads are considered a closed come done and are very similar to blackheads, caused by an overproduction of oil, bacteria and dead skin cells. The difference is that a whitehead stays below the surface of the skin creating a white bump as opposed to a blackhead which is exposed to oxygen. Common locations for whiteheads are the T-zone area which tends to be the oiliest part of the face.
                 Blackheads can be caused by overproduction of oil, which is why people with oily skin tend to have blackhead problems. Black heads is a mixture of sebum (oil) and skin cells which cause your pores to clog, with the tell tale sign of black plug, hence the name blackhead.

The most common areas for blackhead formation are the forehead nose and chin (the T-Zone); this is due to the higher number of oil glands in these troublesome areas.

Pimples are also closed come done. The difference between pimples and whiteheads is the characteristic redness that accompanies pimples. Pimples are caused by inflamed oil glands and can be painful. Although many people do self-extractions at home, if it is not done properly it can cause infections as well as scarring. It is best left to the professionals to remove.

Daily Treatment

The first step in healthy glowing skin is cleanliness. You must wash your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser such as Cetaphil or a medicated acne cleanser with salicylic acid. However, medicated acne washes too drying especially if the only oily zone you have is in the T-zone.
An astringent such as witch hazel helps to remove bacteria and tone the skin (make sure its alcohol free, otherwise this too can be too drying on your face.
Facial steaming helps to open and unclog your pores. If you wear makeup, look for products that are non-comedogenic and oil free.

Weekly Treatment
In addition to the above, once a week a facial mask is a must. There are many types to choose from.
For absorbing oil, clay masks are great as are peel off masks. Read the instructions to see that it is suited for oily skin and that it cleanses your pores.

Natural Treatments
For spot treatments, before going to bed apply white toothpaste to affected area (only the acne itself, NOT your skin). Gel type toothpastes, toothpastes that are red, blue and cinnamon flavored tend to have irritating effects. To test for sensitivity use a small amount on 1 pimple only. If there is no reaction the following day, you can apply as a spot treatment to all affected areas.

Tea Tree Oil-This is an anti-bacterial that helps reduce redness. Apply to the affected area only. Do not rinse off.
Lemon Juice-After cleansing, using freshly squeezed lemon juice, apply to affected areas.
Please remember that not all treatments will work on everyone, the best thing is to test your skin for sensitivity by trying the treatment on a small area and leaving alone for twenty-four hours. If you experience no reaction, then it is safe to use.

How do we deal with blackheads?
            The most important thing to remember is that you need to expect to see results within a few weeks to a few months. There is no miracle cure.
            Cleanliness-You must wash your face twice a day with a mild cleanser. Even if you don’t wear makeup, cleansing your face is still necessary because you face environmental pollution everyday.Use an astringent a gentle yet effective one is plain old witch hazel.
            Facial Steaming. If you are using the washcloth method you can do this daily.
            If you want to use an over the counter preparation, look for one with salicylic acid of 2%. Salicylic acid has the ability to penetrate deep within the pores. Follow the directions on the label.

Natural Remedy
Squeeze 1/4 of a lemon into a cup of approximately 2 tablespoons of honey to make a paste. You can add more honey if so desired. Spread the paste onto affected areas, or your entire face for an at home facial. The lemon has naturally occurring salicylic acid and AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) as well as vitamin C. The honey is a natural antibacterial.

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