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This Is What Causes Whiteheads—and How to Treat Them

Don't let a whitehead or two ruin your day. We asked dermatologists for their best advice on how to treat whiteheads.

By: Amanda Eisenberg | 3.1.18

Identifying a whitehead is the first step to treating one. The tell is a small white bump that occurs when trapped oil, bacteria and dead skin cells clog a pore, says David Lortscher, MD, a dermatologist and CEO of telemedicine service Curology.

Overexposure to the sun is also a major cause of blackheads and whiteheads, he says. By avoiding clogged pores, being cautious of sun-exposure, and using sunscreen, you can prevent them.

"Prevention is the best approach—along with treating the entire acne-prone area rather than chasing individual pimples after they form," says Ava Shamban, MD, a dermatologist and founder of SKINxFIVE. "People who have an underlying condition of acne always have papules forming under the skin, so it's better to disrupt the cycle before it starts."

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You can find acne treatments at both drugstores and department stores, of course, but if you're in a pinch, says Dr. Shamban, try warm compresses to encourage drainage; a paste of ground-up aspirin can reduce redness, says Dr. Shamban. She also likes tea tree oil for reducing inflammation.

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