Is that a bump?

Whiteheads

Whiteheads, also known as closed comedones, are follicles that are filled with the same material as blackheads but have only a microscopic opening to the skin surface. Since the air cannot reach the follicle, the material is not oxidized and remains white.

The best way to prevent the formation is to follow a strict skin care regimen, as follows:

1. Clean your face at least twice a day with skincare products that are appropriate for your skin type. Use a facial cleanser that contain salicylic acid or alpha hydroxyl acids as there ingredients help in unclogging the pores.

2. Exfoliate your skin regularly – twice or three times a week. Apply the exfoliating products all over your face, using light, circular motions concentration on the problem areas of the face forehead, nose and cheeks. Try to find a gentle exfoliator with small particlesit will encourage newer, smoother and healthier skin cells to grow, helping to unclog the pores.

3. Even if your skin is oily or mixed you should never forget to apply a moisturizer or a hydrating cream.

4. Once a week steam your face for a few minutes to cleanse your skin in deep. Steaming is very important to loosen debris that may be embedded into the skin. When steaming the face you wide the clogged pores and soften the skin in order to cleanse more easily the impurities, the traces of makeup, the dust, the sebaceous secretions as well as the dead skin cells.

5. You can also use a comedone remover (a comedone extractor ) tool – a handy device to help keep pores free of blackheads and blemishes. It will remove all clogged dark bumps with trapped sebum, bacteria and excess oils dislodging pore blockages leaving skin clear and smooth. This tool should be used immediately after steaming the face.

If you have just a small number of whiteheads don’t do anything – leave them the way they are because sometimes they will go away by themselves in a few days.

The estheticians are trained to remove whiteheads and the other forms of acne flawlessly. They use special methods and tools to extract without a risk of skin infections and scarring.

The first thing the cosmetologist will do is to steam your face – to widen the clogged pores and to soften the skin in order to cleanse more easily the impurities. After steaming it will be more easily to remove the comedones /blackheads, whiteheads/ and the little pimples.

Then she will use a sterilized needle to gently prick the tip of the whitehead with the needle. A gentle pressure will be needed to ease out the pus. Basically this is to most common way used by the dermatologist and the estheticians to remove the whiteheads. The method resembles the way a pimple is popped but a higher degree of attention is needed.

Treatment

1. Whiteheads should be extracted by an experienced esthetician or dermatologist.

2. To prevent from forming in the first place, you should use a mild facial cleanser that is oil-free and wash your face at least twice a day.

3. Never squeeze or pick at a pimple as doing so may spread the inflammation and leave an ugly red scar behind.

4. Use a face cream or moisturizer containing salicylic acid.

5. Always look for antibacterial skin care and cosmetic products.

6. Use skin care products with benzyl peroxide, salicylic acid or AHAs.

7. It’s essential to keep your skin clean all the time in order to prevent the formation.

8. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin and body hydrated and to remove the toxins from your skin.

9. Always apply a toner after cleansing your face in the morning and in the evening to close the pores.

10. There is a difference between a blackhead and a whitehead, blackheads are partly blocked pores and the fully blocked pores are called whiteheads.

11. Never try to remove whiteheads at home – this may lead to serious skin infections and permanent scarring.

12. Usually the whiteheads go away by themselves in a few days.

13. Never forget to remove your makeup in the evening; otherwise this may clog the pores resulting in blackheads, whiteheads, pimples and rash appearance.

14. Never use harsh facial cleansers, soaps or lotions.

15. Always look for noncomedogenic and nonacnegenic skin care and makeup products.

16. Like the blackheads, the whiteheads can be seen on the areas around the face, especially around the nose, eyes, cheeks and forehead.

17. Never use oil-based makeup precuts as they may contribute to the buildup of oil in the follicles.

18. Always apply moisturizer after washing your face.

19. Don’t forget to exfoliate your skin once or twice a week with a mild exfoliator to remove the dead skin cells.

20. The appearance of your skin is influenced mainly by your skin care routine.

21. Always wear a sunscreen or sunblock with SPF at least 15, even during the winter months to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

22. Avoid touching your face with dirty hands – you can transform bacteria and cause inflammation.

23. The best way to prevent whiteheads is to keep your skin clean and well moisturized all the time.

24. Regular facials can help prevent whiteheads because they will keep your pores clean.

25. Do a cleansing face mask once or twice a week.

Blackheads

Blackheads are most common on your face specifically on your nose and the sides of your nose, the forehead, and chin. Some people get blackheads in other places such as on and in their ears, shoulders, and on their back.  Whiteheads and blackheads can actually form anywhere on your body there is a hair follicle.

1. Blackheads form as a result of excess sebum produced at the base of hairs, often as a result of hormone changes, especially during puberty.

2. Sebum (another word for oil) contains a dark pigment, melanin, which oxidizes and turns black when exposed to the air; this is why blackheads have a dark appearance.

3. A myth states that "popping" blackheads is helpful - instead, this can worsen the problem and cause scarring.

4. There is some evidence that blackheads are more likely to arise when poor diet or disease leads to increased insulin levels, increased levels of IGF-1 and rapid growth of skin cells that lead to clogged pores.

5. Blackheads are also known as open comedones and are considered a mild form of acne unless accompanied by more severe types of acne lesions.

6. Simple blackheads do not normally cause pain or other symptoms, but the development of more severe acne can result in such symptoms, along with social and psychological effects.

7. Medical diagnosis involves physical examination to assess the number and severity of lesions. The psychological impact is also considered, especially for more severe acne.

8. Treatment of blackheads themselves is largely a question of self-management but can also involve prescription medications for better effect.

9. The help of a doctor is needed if blackheads form part of more problematic acne involving inflammatory lesions.

10. Some cases of acne are largely unavoidable, with many risk factors unable to modified (such as genetics). However, certain steps can be taken to minimize risk and reduce symptoms.

Papules

A small, raised, solid pimple or swelling, often forming part of a rash on the skin and typically inflamed but not producing pus. Papules are a type of skin lesion. They are bumps on the surface of the skin that are usually 3/8 inch (1 cm) or smaller, and they can be red, brown, purple, or pink, depending on their causes. If papules are scratched or picked, they can burst open and become crusty, itchy, or infected. Papules are a symptom of common skin disorders like acne or rosacea, and they can also be a symptom of a disease like chickenpox.

1. squeezing papules is not the right way to get rid of acne (as tempting as it may sometimes be). Squeezing the oil, bacteria and skin cell mixture found in papules can result in long term scars that may not be responsive to acne treatment medications

2. Read pustules to get more info on preventing papules.

Cysts

Cysts are noncancerous, closed pockets of tissue that can be filled with fluid, pus, or other material. Very much like a blister.

Cysts are common on the skin and can appear anywhere. They feel like large peas under the surface of the skin.

1. Cysts usually do not cause pain unless they rupture or become infected or inflamed.

2. Most cysts do not disappear on their own without treatment.

3. Some cysts may need to be drained to relieve symptoms. That involves piercing the cyst with a scalpel and draining it. That doesn't cure the cyst, however. Some inflamed cysts can be treated with an injection of cortisone medication to cause it to shrink.

4. Cysts that do not respond to other treatments or reoccur and can be removed surgically if they cause troublesome symptoms.

5. Cysts can develop as a result of infection, clogging of sebaceous glands (oil glands), or around foreign bodies, such as earrings.

6. Most cysts are benign. However some cysts may be tumors and possibly malignant.

7. Breast cyst are often painful and may be noticeable during breast examination.

8. Kidney and liver cyst may not have any symptoms and go unnoticed until MRI, CAT Scan or ultrasound detects them.

9. Some cyst arise as a result of a chronic or underlying medical issue - fibrocystic breast disease or polycystic ovary syndrome.

10. Aspirated liquid is sometimes examined to investigate if there are any cancerous cells present.

Pustules

Small bumps on the skin that contain fluid or pus. These bumps have a noticeably white or yellow dot in the center and are surrounded by inflammation.

1. You should not pop pustules yourself in the hope of obtaining a quick-fix cure. You may be able to reduce the size of the bump by popping it, but the effects, possible infection and scars, are not worth the temporary relief.

2. It is common to treat a breakout of pustules and papules with the same medicine. The best acne treatment products typically contain the same active ingredients. Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are some of the most common and best acne treatment solutions for papules and pustules. Benzoyl peroxide works by killing bacteria that have multiplied and mixed with skin cells inside the face pores.

3. When you prevent further bacteria production, treating papules and pimples becomes much easier. Not only will there be more room for sebum and dead skin cells to rise to the surface of the skin, redness and inflammation will slowly disappear.

4. Salicylic acid is another common active ingredient used in acne treatment products. Salicylic acid works by ridding the skin of excess cells that trap sebum and bacteria inside the pores. When the pore is open, the contents of papules and pustules will again have more room to clear the skin pore. Because salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, especially when used together, may cause some redness and dryness, the best acne treatment therapies may also include ingredients that calm and moisten the skin.

5. Skin soothing ingredients may include chamomile and aloe leaf extracts. When used in combination, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, calming agents and other proprietary ingredients may significantly reduce the severity of acne breakouts.