White Heads
What Are Whiteheads?

WHITE HEADS OVERVIEW

Although the least offensive in terms of appearance, whitehead acne is probably one of the most frustrating types of acne to deal with as it can be rather challenging to eradicate it without breaking the skin. Many times you can feel it before you can actually see it. You sense there is something underneath the skin, but you just can't seem to scrub it away.


WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF WHITEHEADS?

To answer your question of "What are whiteheads," white heads are also known as milia or closed comedones. A white head is whitish in color and consists of sebum (the skin's oil) and dead skin cells that are trapped under the skin's surface.

When a person produces excessive amounts of sebum, this will overtax the hair follicles and cause a buildup of dead skin cells. When the oil initially mixes with the cells, this is the beginning of the pore becoming blocked. This impaction creates a microcomedo, which the naked eye cannot detect. When this sebaceous material and cellular debris harden inside the hair follicle, it will block the pore and milia will form.

Because this cellular debris has a layer of skin over the top and is not exposed to the air, it remains white in color. Whereas, a blackhead is characteristic of its color as a result of exposure to oxygen which in turn causes oxidation to occur and turn the head from white to black.


WHO GETS WHITEHEADS?

Whitehead pimples tend to be more common with individuals who have dry skin, however anyone can develop them regardless of age, race, or skin type. In addition, they may form after laser resurfacing or other types of skin trauma may trigger an outbreak of whitehead acne to occur.


WHITEHEADS - ADDITIONAL READING OPTIONS

If you are interested in reading some other articles related to whiteheads, then click on one of the following links listed below:

Get Rid Of Whiteheads
Removing Whiteheads
Treatment For Whiteheads
What Are Whiteheads
What Causes Whiteheads
Whitehead Acne
Whitehead Pimples
Whitehead Treatment