You have probably wondered why those little bumps keep popping up on your skin. You are not alone! Blackheads (open comedones) and whiteheads (closed comedones) are common skin conditions among many. These types of acne can affect various age groups. While these common blackhead spots on face don't inflict any harm on your physical health, you might feel disturbed by their presence. They are, indeed, aesthetically unpleasant and undesirable. Despite sharing a few characteristics, they look visually different.
Understanding blackheads vs whiteheads, along with their causes, can help you better deal with these skin concerns. This article seeks to differentiate between open comedones vs. closed comedones. Keep on reading to learn more about what are blackheads and whiteheads.
Blackheads vs. Whiteheads Pictures
Go through these Blackheads vs whiteheads pictures to see the difference.
Blackheads on nose are open comedones, with a black appearance. On the other hand, whiteheads appear as white bumps on face. They are closed bumps covered by a thin layer of skin.
What Are Blackheads and Whiteheads?
One's genetics and hormones often influence the development of this type of acne. Oil glands are placed everywhere in our bodies. These glands produce an oily substance, sebum, to hydrate your skin. When they produce excessive sebum, the pores in our skin become clogged. This provides an ideal environment where bacteria thrive, forming acne breakouts, including black and whiteheads.
Whiteheads vs blackheads:
Common whiteheads spots on face, or closed comedones, are clogged pores characterized by the accumulation of oil and dead skin cells. The surface of the whitehead remains sealed, and the materials are stuck within the pore. They don't come into contact with oxygen. Hence, they appear as white bumps on face. They can be found on your nose, chin, forehead, cheeks, or around your mouth. Whiteheads are also common in your neck, chest, back, and upper arms.
Blackheads on nose are similar to whiteheads, and they are also clogged pores. They are called open comedones for a reason. A tiny portion of blackheads remains open at the surface of the skin. When this open surface of a blackhead comes into contact with oxygen in the environment, the sebum within the pore undergoes oxidation. This gives it a black appearance, hence the name blackhead. They are common around your nose, cheeks, chest, and back.
Open Comedones vs. Closed Comedones:
Open and closed comedones form in a similar way. As mentioned, they form when pores become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. However, they differ in appearance due to the presence or absence of a covering layer of skin.
Open comedones lack a skin layer, which allows the sebum within the pore to oxidize and darken. This results in a dark appearance.
Closed comedones have a skin layer above them, meaning the trapped sebum cannot contact oxygen. Unlike open comedones, closed comedones are white and smaller. If left untreated, they are likely to get inflamed and turn into pimples.
Open and closed comedones are common on skin surfaces with a high concentration of sebaceous glands, such as the face, shoulders, chest, and back.
Causes of Blackheads and Whiteheads
Let's learn what causes blackheads and whiteheads to occur in the first place. So, here are they:
*Hormonal changes: Puberty, pregnancy, and menstruation can cause your skin to produce more sebum due to the fluctuation of hormone levels.
*The buildup of dead skin cells: When dead skin cells start accumulating, your pores become blocked by the mixture of dead cells and oil within the pores. This leads to the production of blackheads and whiteheads.
*Overproduction of oil (sebum): When sebaceous glands produce excessive sebum, it contributes to blockages in the pores. This gives bacteria the freedom to grow and can lead to the formation of blackheads and whiteheads (acne vulgaris).
*Genetics: If you have back acne, blackheads, or whiteheads in your genes, you are more likely to have them.
*Skin types: Those with combination or oily skin are prone to these types of pimples.
How to Get Rid of Blackheads and Whiteheads
You can treat blackheads and whiteheads with acne-focused skin care products containing ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.
Here’s basically how to get rid of blackheads: Wash your face with a gentle acne cleanser and exfoliant. This helps you to unclog the pores and remove the materials trapped inside.
And, how to get rid of whiteheads? Use topical serums to treat your whiteheads.
Let’s explore the ways to remove whiteheads and blackheads in detail.
Professional treatments:
If your home efforts don't seem to provide results, opt for professional treatments like chemical peels, acne facials, or light therapy. Ideally, these are for severe cases. You may also benefit from prescription strength medications like topical retinoids.
Safe removal tips:
*Squeezing blackheads and whiteheads may seem tempting. But it's better to leave them the way they are. Never squeeze or pop blackheads and whiteheads. Squeezing them can only cause more pimples, scars, infections, and other skin conditions.
*If you want to remove them at home, use high-quality blackhead extractors. Ensure that the extractor is clean and sanitized. This helps prevent further infection and damage to the skin.
*Be gentle with the way you use the blackhead extractor. Don't apply too much pressure on the tool, which can damage your delicate skin.
*Make sure you clean your face as well. You can do facial steaming before extracting to ensure safe home removal.
*Apply a warm compress to the concerned area before extraction. This makes it easier to get rid of the comedones.
*For severe cases, it's best to seek professional help. Make sure that the dermatologist has the expertise and tools for safe extraction.
*Stay away from using harsh scrubbers. This can cause more damage to your acne-prone, oily, and sensitive skin.
*Gentle cleansing and exfoliation are key. Talk to your dermatologist and learn which products, tools, and techniques are ideal for you.
No matter how severe or mild your breakouts are, it pays to be patient and consistent with your skincare routine. Follow these tips to ensure the safe removal and treatment of comedones.
Risks and Considerations: When to Seek Professional Help
You may need to visit a dermatologist's office for conditions such as inflammatory or bacterial acne. If you notice pimples, nodules and cysts on your skin, these may be the signs of inflammatory acne. Bacterial acne is another skin condition that needs medical intervention.
If you are experiencing severe acne, consult with an experienced dermatologist or esthetician. They can assess your skin condition and recommend appropriate treatments or prescription medications.
The Bottomline
*Blackheads (open comedones) and whiteheads (closed comedones) are types of acne caused by clogged pores
*Blackheads appear dark due to oxidation
*Whiteheads appear white
*Follow a persistent skincare routine
*Consider the benefits of using a facial specifically for oily and acne-prone skin
*Consult a professional in case of severe skin conditions
*Avoid popping blackheads or whiteheads
*Consider chemical peels, gentle exfoliation, and topical treatments
*Prescription-strength medications can help treat a severe form of acne
*Understanding the difference between blackheads vs whiteheads is a must
FAQs on Blackheads & Whiteheads
What is the main difference between blackheads and whiteheads?
Unlike whiteheads, blackheads appear dark, and they are open bumps. Whiteheads have a skin layer covering them, and they look white or yellowish.
How can I prevent blackheads and whiteheads?
Wash your face daily, and use a mild cleanser for your acne-prone skin. Consider using noncomedogenic products.
Can I squeeze blackheads or whiteheads?
No, squeezing or popping can exacerbate the condition. Keep your hands away from your skin as much as possible.
What happens if I pop my whiteheads?
Popping your whiteheads can cause bacteria and pus to go deeper into the skin. This will cause more redness and swelling and might leave you with permanent scars.
Do blackheads and whiteheads go away naturally?
As long as they are close to your skin’s surface, blackheads or whiteheads may go away on their own. However, those embedded deep into the skin are less likely to vanish.
