Overview
The world of acne has its own diverse and often unpleasant-sounding lexicon: whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, nodules and cysts. The American Academy of Dermatology states that these terms may be confusing; however, all are types of lesions, which the AAD defines as a “physical change in body tissue caused by disease or injury.” The recipe for acne remains the same, blackhead, whitehead or other type of lesion: excess oil production in your skin, dead skin cells that shed within the hair follicle and bacteria. Blackheads and whiteheads are two types of noninflammatory acne lesions.
Understanding Comedones
Blackheads and whiteheads are only two acne lesions that may show up on your face, along with other types of inflammatory lesions, such as pustules, says the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. A comedo is a most basic of lesions and is simply an enlarged sebaceous (oil) gland and plugged hair follicle. The plural form of comedo is “comedones,” which can refer to both blackheads and whiteheads. The difference between the two types of comedones lies in how the lesion forms and if the plugged pore is “open” or “closed.”
Blackheads
A blackhead is called an open comedo, because it opens up at the surface of the skin. Blackheads are named thusly because when sebum (oil) is exposed to oxygen, it turns black–it’s not because your skin has dirt in it. The plug remains under the skin and is not exposed to the air. Blackheads have a long lifespan and can remain in your skin for quite some time.
Whiteheads
A whitehead, on the other hand, is known as a closed comedo. The plug remains under the skin and is not exposed to the air. Whiteheads are typically slightly raised bumps that are the same color as the rest of your skin, although some may present with slight inflammation, says the AAD. Like blackheads, whiteheads also can stick around on your face for a long time.
Treatments
NIAMS indicates that dermatologists generally recommend an over-the-counter or prescription topical medication to treat whiteheads, blackheads and mildly inflamed acne lesions. The active ingredient is key to successfully treating both types of comedones. NIAMS lists benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid and sulfur as ingredients that break down whiteheads and blackheads. If you use topical treatments, it may take up to eight weeks before whiteheads and blackheads start to resolve.
What Not to Do
Don’t squeeze blackheads and whiteheads or try to manually extract them yourself, cautions the AAD. A dermatologist can safely remove them during an in-office procedure using sterile equipment. If you attempt at-home comedone extraction manually, the lesions can become vulnerable to various types of bacteria.
About this Author
Lisa Sefcik has been writing professionally since 1987. Her subject matter includes pet care, travel, consumer reviews, classical music and entertainment. She’s worked as a policy analyst, news reporter and freelance writer/columnist for Cox Publications and numerous national print publications. Sefcik holds a paralegal certification as well as degrees in journalism and piano performance from the University of Texas at Austin.
