subject: Whiteheads And Blackheads [print this page] You may have heard of expressions like whiteheads and blackheads in acne conditions. Have you ever wondered what these terms really mean? This article intends to give you an understanding of it.
Sebaceous glands are attached to the hair follicles. These glands produce sebum, natural oil that keeps your skin soft and moist. Due to hormonal imbalances in the body system, the quality and quantum of sebum varies resulting in scales forming on these hair follicles. These scales or dead skin cells block the pores in the skin. This is where acne sets in first.
This blockage appears on the skin surface looking like blackheads and whiteheads. Another name by which these are known is comedones. Comedones are the sebaceous follicles surrounded by sebum with dead skin cells. Blackhead is an open comedone that appears blackish. Whitehead is a blocked comedone. This appears as a tiny bubble on the skin, almost of skin color. While whiteheads will have a closed mouth, the blackhead will have a gaping mouth.
If you notice these blackheads or whiteheads, never attempt to squeeze them gone. Doing so will leave permanent marks on your skin and can even lead to infection. Beware of acne scars as they can mutilate your face for ever. It is safe to see a dermatologist and have these bumps picked out. He will do it under sterile and safe conditions.
However, basic acne care is inevitable. It is advisable for you to wash your face many times in a day. Use some good, harmless soap and lukewarm water and clean up the excess sebum or oil that you feel on your face carefully and gently. Do not scrub your skin as it can aggravate your acne. If you want to apply creams for a cure, use only what is prescribed by a dermatologist. You have to keep a lot of patience with acne. If you try to hasten the process, acne will avenge your hurry by remaining on your face for all times to come in the form of scars.
