What is the medical term for whiteheads?

Does a whitehead have to look white?

No. Closed comedones can look white or match the surrounding skin. They are raised bumps, usually without obvious redness, swelling or tenderness. Whiteheads commonly occur on the face, chest and back. A white center alone does not identify a closed comedone: an inflamed pimple containing pus has a different medical name.125

Whiteheads, blackheads and pustules are different

What does comedonal acne mean?

Comedonal acne means a pattern of acne in which most blemishes are comedones, including whiteheads and blackheads. It often affects the forehead and chin. Comedonal acne can occur alongside inflamed papules and pustules, so one face can have several types of acne at once. The term describes the pattern of breakouts, rather than giving every bump the same name, which keeps the terminology from becoming a roll call.56

What makes the pore become blocked?

Sebum, the skin's natural oil, and dead skin cells collect inside the follicle instead of reaching the surface normally. Increased oil production and a buildup of skin cells contribute to the blockage. Hormones and family history can influence acne, and some cosmetics or hair care products can contribute to clogged pores. Scrubbing harder does not solve the blockage and can make acne worse.2457

How do you care for whiteheads?

• Wash with a mild cleanser in the morning and before bed, and after sweating. Apply the cleanser gently with your fingertips and rinse with lukewarm water.
• Remove makeup before bed, then cleanse gently. Do not scrub to try to remove the bumps.
• Choose cleansers, moisturizers and makeup labeled noncomedogenic, meaning formulated not to clog pores. Oil free is another useful label term.
• If makeup or a hair or skin care product appears to trigger breakouts, stop using the suspected product.
• Leave extraction to a licensed professional. Picking, squeezing or puncturing comedones yourself can cause infection, scars and damage to the follicle.

Noncomedogenic is useful wording to look for on a label, even if the word takes up most of the available space.7

What treatments help, and how long do they take?

Retinoids help unclog pores; adapalene is available without a prescription. Salicylic acid also helps unclog pores, while a benzoyl peroxide wash targets acne causing bacteria. Other topical options for comedonal acne include azelaic acid and glycolic acid. General comedonal acne treatment involves applying a thin layer across the affected area, rather than treating only individual visible bumps.2567

Give treatment six to eight weeks before assessing whether stubborn whiteheads are improving. Comedonal acne can take eight to twelve weeks to show a noticeable difference and many months to clear. Treatment sometimes needs to continue for the long term because comedones can return.25

See a dermatologist if blemishes persist despite treatment, if you are unsure what the bumps are, or if finding a product trigger is difficult. A dermatologist can assess the skin and consider prescription treatment or professional extraction. Report medication side effects to your healthcare provider.257