Acne not only comes in various forms, but also in different degrees of severity. Whiteheads and blackheads are relatively milder forms of this chronic skin disease. Each tiny bulge takes shape out of surplus body oil and dead skin cells which pile up together and form a plug to clog the hair follicle, entrapping the discharged sebum within the pore itself. Both are more or less similar in nature as per the history of their formation, with one and only difference in the style of clogging of the skin pores. In case of blackheads the skin pores are always partially clogged whereas if it is totally blocked, we call it whitehead or closed comedone. In later type, the plug remains under the skin surface which blocks it from coming in touch with air, thereby inhibiting the natural oxidation process which otherwise makes the plug appear black or darker in color in blackheads.

Hormonal contribution has been emphasized much by dermatologists as an active reason working behind comedonal formation. The male hormone called androgen which is present both within male and female body, is the chief causative factor that instigates the oil glands or sebaceous glands within our body to discharge more and more sebum. This surplus sebum or body oil combines with the dead skin cells to form a hardened plug, jamming the skin pores. Some dermatologists believe that whiteheads are atypical to dry skin. They claim that the dryness of the skin causes hardening of the discharged sebum which easily forms into a solid plug to block the skin pores. They attribute the same reason even to the formation of blackheads as well. However, the real reasons behind the formation of such comedones are still unknown.

Often people resort to a much simpler and apparently handy means of removing comedones. Undoubtedly it is done by popping or picking them with bare hands. Nevertheless, unlike severe acne, removal of whiteheads is not entirely impossible, but they should be done preferably at doctor’s office using some sterilized needle or instruments like a blackhead extractor. Since acne is the outcome of affluence of body oil and conglomeration of the dead skin cells, it is essential to rule out both conditions in order to reach the ultimate goal. Cleansing and exfoliating the skin properly would be the best option in this regard. Use some mild cleanser to wash your face two times a day. This would help you stay away from the accumulation of excess oil on the skin surface. For exfoliating the dead cells you could use some mild scrubber. Never rub or scrub your skin too harshly or else it would surely take a turn for the worse. Homemade scrubbers made of fruit peels are often quite favorite remedy for most acne victims. Some say that rubbing lemon peels on the face work wonders in reducing whiteheads.



Thanks to Juliet Cohen for contributing this article to our Acne blog:

Over The Counter Acne Treatment

Like me you have probably seen many times the proactive publicities on television. You see celebrities like Jessica Simpson, P.Diddy, Kelly Clarkson and many others telling how Proactiv Acne Medicine changed their lives. They try to convince you to buy their products by saying that proactive acne medicine completely cured them of their acne problem offering you gift, free shipping and such…

Yes we have heard it all….But the question is: Does it really work? What make proactive acne medicine different from the other products for treating acne?

Let’s look at it from another angle. Would two million people be using this product if it would not work? They show you celebrities on screen to tell you it works, but the fact is the huge quantity of users around the world who have used it proved that the Proactiv acne medicine works.

Who are the Developers?

Proactive was first launched in 1995 by Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields. These two Stanford University-trained dermatologists had their own problems with acne at one time and this is why they have developed a unique system to finally get rid of acne once and for all. Their Proactiv acne medicine works for both teenagers and adults. Since the launch in 1995, their Proactiv products as been dominating the market proving once and for all that it is without a doubt the best available acne medicine for both treatment and prevention.

The founders of the Proactiv acne medicine, Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields are specialists and are much respected skin care expert. They have been interviewed and quoted in publications such as:

- Glamour

- Cosmopolitan

- Allure

- Teen

- Redbook

- Self

- Elle

- Reader’s Digest

And that’s only a few of the magazine they were published in.

But How Does it Work?

The Proactiv acne medicine is composed of three easy steps that are design to help you clear out your pimples.

Step 1 – Renewing Cleanser

The Renewing Cleanser performs two separate tasks, by gently exfoliating your dead skin cells to allow the benzoyl peroxide ingredient contained in the cleanser to penetrate the deepest pores of your skin.

Step 2 – The Revitalizing Toner

The second step is used to revitalize you’re your skin. The revitalizing toner is used to effectively soften your skin and to remove the impurities that often clog your pores.

Step 3 – The Repairing Lotion

This lotion is the last step and is used to eliminate the bacteria that cause acne at its source. This lotion helps to hydrate your skin and infiltrate the pores of your skin to stop the bacteria.

If you are interested in the Proactiv acne medicine be aware that on the first order of the product you will also get a free refining mask that boost the three-step system. This particular mask is very effective to remove impurities in your skin while smoothing and improving your skin’s texture.



Thanks to Frederic Madore for contributing this article to our Acne blog:

Microdermabrasion For Acne Scars