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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 23, 2014 10:01 AM IST
When we speak of blackheads, we are basically referring to the appearance of small bumps on the skin because of clogged hair follicles. They are called blackheads because they are small, dark and very tiny in appearance. They usually appear on the face most of the time. However, one could also find them growing on the arms, neck, chest and shoulders.
Whiteheads on the other hand is another kind of acne which occurs when dead cells, oil and bacteria get clogged and trapped within one of the pores. It could occur to people of any age and is usually white in colour. It doesn t occur due to junk food, stress or chocolates.
Causes of blackheads
Blackheads could occur because of several reasons! They are:
1. When your body begins to produce excess oil.
2. It could also occur because of the build-up of bacteria on your skin.
3. Irritation in your hair follicles when the dead cells do not shed very regularly.
4. Often hormonal changes among teenagers lead to blackheads.
5. Taking drugs such as androgens and lithium. (Read: Blackheads bothering you? Here s some expert advice!)
Causes of whiteheads
Whiteheads are the result of blocked pores. There are several reasons as to why it could occur:
1. Hormonal changes could lead to mild acne like whiteheads. Some examples are stages of puberty, menstruation, pregnancy or even menopause.
2. Medications of certain kinds that could increase your level of hormones and lead to the appearance of acne.
3. Often genetics play an important role. If there is a member in your family who suffers from whiteheads, there are chances you could also have it.
Treatment of blackheads
It will become very easy to treat blackheads if you follow a few simple steps on a regular basis.
1. Wash your face on a regular basis. You should do this the minute you wake up in the morning and before you go back to sleep. Washing your face twice a day reduces the chances of mild acne and reduces excess dirt and oil from your face. It is also advisable to use products that are good in quality.
2. Make sure the products you are buying are oil-free. Oil-free make-up, lotions and sunscreens always prevent and heal blackheads.
3. You could get hold of a good exfoliating product. This will remove dead skin cells quickly and help you get rid of blackheads. (Read: 5 tips to get rid of blackheads (Gallery))
Treatment of whiteheads
Use products that contain benzoyl peroxide which helps in the reduction of oil content clogged in your pores. Those which have salicylic acid tend to break down existing whiteheads right on the spot.
It could take up to 8 weeks for a particular kind of treatment to work well. If you do not by any chance see improvements in your condition, then it would be advisable for you look for other options of treatment. However you can prevent whiteheads by changing your lifestyle.
When you are buying make-up, make sure they are non-comedogenic. Oil-free products are also a good option. It is also important for you to wash your hair on a regular basis. When your skin is stripped off all its essential oils, it develops the risk of developing whiteheads.
Make sure you are using a good shampoo that hydrates your hair and imparts a shine to it. For your face, it is advisable to use a mild cleanser. You should wash your face twice or thrice a day in order to keep it healthy and prevent the chances of whiteheads. (Read: Getting rid of those annoying blackheads and whiteheads)
Image source: Getty images
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