Help. Since having my baby a year ago, my chest has become covered with trapped under the skin whiteheads. Does anyone know of a make your own remedy to loosen, remove these pesky things?
Samantha in NC
As a baby I had whiteheads all over me. My mom would patiently prick a tiny hole into the skin above the whitehead, using a very sharp, sterilized needle and then ease the whitehead out of the skin pocket. I would highly recommend hydrogen peroxide before and after this procedure and use a lighter or match to sterilize the needle. Of course, at minimum a phone call to a dermatologist or your family physician would be a good idea, too. (08/20/2004)
By Guest Fan of ThriftyFun
Although this mostly mentions blackheads, the info states that, "The counter part of the blackhead is the whitehead," so I assume the beauty recipes work for whiteheads as well as blackheads. From Pakwatan.com:
Blackheads are so common, yet many of us do not know what they are. We know even less about dealing with them. However, they can be controlled and even prevented by taking regular care of the skin.
Blackheads are caused by over active sebaceous glands (the oil producing glands of the skin). The excess secretion of oil expands and thickens the pores of the skin. The oil collects in the pores and hardens into a plug. The pores are then clogged with hardened sebum or oil. Since the pores are open, the tip of the clogged grease is exposed to the air and oxidises, turning black. Hence, blackheads are formed.
Oily skins naturally tend to attract dirt and grime from the environment and these pollutants also collect in the pores with hardened oil. Blackheads cause the pores to be further enlarged and people with oily skins end up with a skin texture that is coarse and trough. Apart from the fact that blackheads look unsightly, they are the cause of acne. When a pore is fully blocked, the oil gland can get infected resulting into a pimple. Therefore, the control of blackheads is one way of preventing acne.
Blackheads not only appear on the face, but on the back, chest, and other areas that are rich in sebaceous glands.
Blackhead extraction is a professional job and it should be left to people who know exactly know how to do it. Never pick at them. Tampering with the skin by forcing blackheads out brutally can damage the skin tissue by destroying the inner layer. The counter part of the blackhead is the whitehead, which is also caused by collection of sebum in the pores, but in this case the pores are not open and the sebum is not exposed to the air.
Effective methods for removing Blackheads:
It is most important to keep the skin scrupulously clean.
Try out these home remedies for cleaning out your blackheads yourself or get in touch with a qualified beautician.
http://www.pakwatan.com/main/fashion/skinprob/index.php3
(08/21/2004)
You may want to try some of the following homemade concoctions:
Almond Meal Deep Pore Cleanser
Add just enough witch hazel to the almond meal to form a thick, spreadable paste.
Almond-Oatmeal Washing Bag
Grate soap, combine and mix well with other ingredients. Put into a double cheesecloth bag. Use in place of soap and a washcloth.
Blackhead Remover Mask
Make an easy-to-spread paste by adding just enough witch hazel to fuller's earth. Add benzoin and stir thoroughly. Open your facial pores by steaming with a cloth wrung out with hot water. Let mask dry and harden, about 30-40 minutes. To remove, dip cloth in water, as hot as you can stand, and place on mask for a few seconds; then wipe off with a gentle rubbing motion. Rinse with warm water. Then with cool water.
Note: This mask takes about an hour and talking will be impossible. So you may prefer to ignore your doorbell and put on your answering machine.
Hope something helps!
(08/21/2004)
When I worked in a male prison for 20 years the usual inmate treatment was toothpaste. That's right! Before bedtime they would scrub their faces and apply the white toothpaste to their pimples. I mentioned it to my youngest son one day when he said he was having trouble with a few zits. He tried it and said it burned, but woke up and the pimples were gone. He also said it only worked with the old fashioned white stuff. (01/16/2007)
By Toni
Antibacterial cream will heal the condition quickly and prevent scarring. You can buy it over the counter at the drugstore. Ask your pharmacist. This works great for me and I've had some pretty interesting skin infections that are so often mistaken for regular acne/whiteheads. I suggest for anyone who may not be aware of that to read up on skin infections so you can identify the difference if it occurs. (02/04/2007)
By Kelly
Use witch hazel astringent you can get it at Walmart for cheap, on the bottle it says temporarily reduces swelling for minor cuts and bruising, but I use it for my face or anywhere acne comes up. After just the first time you apply it, it makes your skin feel clean and soft! Use a cotton ball. It also tones you skin, it smells a little bit like fermented raisins, but the smell disappears on your skin. It is awesome! (07/10/2007)
By TOOFANY
Just get Duac once daily cream. It's working wonders for me. I had loads of little ones on my cheeks, chin, and forehead and most of my spots have gone. I have only been using it for a week and I am pleased with my results so far. (11/02/2007)
Use Bacitracin, it is staph build up. It works immediately. (11/16/2007)
By NaTasha
Outside of prescribed topical treatments from a dermatologist (Tazorac .1%or .05% being the most effective thing I have tried), if OTC benzyl peroxide or salycilic acid products do not work, try a sulfur-based spot treatment. I highly recommend Murad's Acne Spot Treatment over any of the other sulfur-based remedies. His formula is gel-like and doesn't leave a white spot or cake-y residue like others I have tried. Make sure you don't apply this to open sores or wounds (sulfur will only exacerbate open skin), but clean, dry skin only. You can apply this treatment a few times a day to help speed up the process. It's not a vanishing cream, but a treatment, so be patient. It may take a 2-3 days before the blemish subsides, but as long as you're religious and don't pick, it will work! This is also an effective treatment for drying up blackheads. (01/04/2008)
My doctor prescribed me clyndamycin. It is a little harsh on the skin at first and my cause some dryness, but he also prescribed Retin A to use after that. I use Retin A every night and a sunscreen every day. My skin has been clear for years and my skin has dramatically improved because of Retin A and sunscreen. I still get a few whiteheads in the crease of my chin and nose. They are a pain, but those Biore strips work pretty well, too. Wear sunscreen and use Retin A. (02/13/2008)
By Erica
Putting egg white on pimples and white heads helps to dry them up. Then they go away. (07/21/2008)
By Julie D
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