How to Remove a Whitehead

Whiteheads, often called zits, are frustrating to anyone suffering from acne. Whitehead acne treatment is not difficult, but must be done with care to prevent acne scarring and problem skin later on in life. With caution, however, treating zits and removing whiteheads can be easily remedied at home. Acne skin care is crucial to healthy skin.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clean hands
• Warm water and a clean washcloth
• One blood lancet per whitehead
• Cosmetic grade tea tree oil

1. 
    
   Whitehead Acne

   Wet the clean washcloth with water that is warm to hot in temperature. Place the washcloth over the area where the whitehead acne is located. The warm water softens the skin, helping to prevent acne scarring. Repeat this process until the skin is soft and warm. Alternately, you can skip this step and move on to step two if you are performing the acne treatment immediately upon exiting a hot shower or bath.

2. 
    
   Lancet for Removing Whiteheads

   Open one blood lancet package. With clean hands, gently insert the sharpened tip into the whitehead. It is important to just puncture the tip of the whitehead. Do not "pick" the whitehead with the lancet. The goal is to create a small opening in the whitehead to allow the whitehead acne to drain.

3. With clean fingers, and using only the fingertips, not the fingernails, apply gentle, even pressure on both sides of the whitehead. The white pus from the whitehead acne should flow slowly out of the opening created by the lancet. When finished, clean the area again with the washcloth.

4. Apply one drop of tea tree oil to the area where the whitehead acne had been. Tea tree oil is a home remedy for acne. Its antibacterial properties make it an ideal natural acne treatment. Apply one to three times per day to help prevent acne or treat acne.

Tips & Warnings

• If your whitehead acne is persistent, consult with a doctor or an esthetician (skin care professional) for a personalized acne treatment and prevention plan.
• For best results, remove acne and whiteheads after a shower or hot bath taken in the evening. The steam from the shower will soften the skin, and the skin will have a chance to close up again before being exposed to free radicals and elements found outside.
• For persistent acne, consider using topical treatments, such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid creams.
• Do not use fingernails or pick at acne. Doing so can spread the bacteria that causes acne to other areas of the face, and can increase the chances of acne scarring.

Resources

• Blood Lancets For Removing Acne
• Tea Tree Oil - Home Remedies For Zits
• ProActiv Acne Treatment and Acne Prevention System

[renea123]

on 7/18/2009 thanks. i have this problem from time to time!! I will try it..

[Susanh]

on 6/22/2009 Tea tree oil - I need to get some of that at my local health food store. Thank you for the helpful tips.

[insidestory]

on 3/29/2009 Tea Tree Oil has many uses on infected area. Using for this is another great idea, thanks for this insight.

[Meri]

on 2/17/2009 Where were you many years ago when I needed you? Good information.

[almommabear]

on 1/13/2009 Great tips! Especially about the fingernails....it is so tempting to pick!!!