Whiteheads: Pimples, Causes and Treatment

The sebaceous (oil-producing) glands lie just beneath the skin’s surface. They produce sebum, an oily secretion that helps to preserve the flexibility of the hair and moisturizes the skin. These glands and the hair follicles within which they are found are called sebaceous follicles. These follicles open onto the skin through pores that allow the sebum to reach the hair shaft and the skin. In certain situations, the glands excrete excess sebum and it cannot be cleared from the pores efficiently. This happens, for instance, at puberty when increased levels of the androgen hormones cause overproduction of sebum. In addition, cells lining the follicle are shed too quickly and begin to clump together. The excess sebum combines with the dead cells and forms a plug, or comedo (also called comedones), that blocks the pore, which is not usually seen. When the follicle begins to bulge and show up as a small whitish bump mostly under the skin, it is called a whitehead.

Causes of Excess oil Production

Mainly hormones

Although there are a variety of potential elements which can lead to excess oil production in the facial area. One specific contributing factor is an increase in naturally occurring hormones in the body called androgens.

This increase is specifically prevalent in teenagers who are going through the stages of puberty.

The excess levels of androgen promote the skin’s oil glands to enlargen and in turn overproduce sebum and oil.

Food Allergies

Your diet plays a critical role if you are prone to bouts of acne.

People who do not experience acne problems are not subject to acne food allergies because their skin and bodies work differently. However, if you are prone to acne problems, what you eat and your nutrition has an entirely different effect on your hormones. If you have ever eaten a certain food and then noticed that your skin became especially oily afterwards, it is quite likely that the food had an effect on your hormone levels.

Treatment

Salicylic acid

Benzoyl peroxide

Soap and Water

Retinoids

Acne surgery (by a well trained expert)

Topical antibiotics

Oral antibiotics

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