You may have heard about or experienced blackheads, but have you come across whiteheads? These white blemishes might not be as clearly visible as the blackheads, but they require attention. These small bumps can be seen when someone takes your close-up picture. Since the pore remains closed, there’s no way you can squeeze the whitehead and pop it. It’s a form of acne but is less visible.
These pores are closed with natural oil, bacteria, and other contaminants, causing whiteheads and blackheads. Not only on the nose, but these small white bumps can show up on any part of your body, including the back, face, and neck. If you are wondering how to remove whiteheads from nose, you are in the place. In this post, we are going to discuss the causes of whiteheads, tips for removing them, and natural remedies that can prove quite helpful.
Causes of Whiteheads
Pollution and environmental factors are the common causes of whiteheads. Other factors can also contribute to these white bumps, such as over-exfoliation or excessive scrubbing. You must follow a proper skin cleansing technique to get rid of dirt and bacteria collected in the pores.
Here are some other causes:
â— Puberty
Adolescents are at a higher risk of whiteheads, especially at the time of puberty. As you experience hormonal changes, your skin produces more sebum. When the oil glands secrete a considerable amount of oil, your pores get closed, causing whiteheads and blackheads.
â— Hormonal Changes
Since you go through a lot of hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle and near menopause, you might experience the formation of whiteheads during this period. The pores automatically open once your period is over. The same is the case with pregnant women. A decrease in estrogen levels and an increase in progesterone might lead to a hormonal imbalance, which ultimately leads to acne and whiteheads.
â— Genetics
People believe that whiteheads can be a genetic problem. There’s no known reason why this happens. But, it’s believed that parents who have a history of acne or sensitive skin that developed whiteheads during their teenage years are likely to have children with the same skin problem.
â— Lifestyle Habits
People with whiteheads need to be extra careful about their lifestyle habits if they have acne- prone skin. Drinking, smoking, and eating oily food are a few things you need to stop to prevent whiteheads. Some studies have linked your diet to acne or whiteheads, but there’s no clinical evidence for it. Still, it’s best to watch your diet to prevent the whiteheads from escalating.
â— Stress
Another cause of whitehead breakout is stress. Stress leads to hormonal changes in your body, which results in more than usual sebum production. When the pores get clogged with the excess oil and bacteria, it causes the white bumps.
How to Remove Whiteheads on Nose at Home
If you are wondering how to remove whiteheads from nose permanently, you should give home remedies a shot. They might not be clinically approved for acne or whiteheads, but some natural treatments can work wonders for the white bumps that won’t respond to other treatments. Besides, they are affordable, easy-to-follow, and have no side-effects.
Note: If you are trying home remedies for whiteheads, wear SPF 15+ sunscreen. These solutions make your skin sensitive. There’s a chance it can get inflamed or red when exposed to the sun.
Let’s check out the easiest home remedies to get rid of whiteheads and other forms of acne at home.
Facial Steam
To get the clogged pores to release the trapped dust and bacteria, you must try facial steam.
You can buy a facial steamer online or boil the water in a bowl and place your head over it. Take the steam carefully so that you don’t scald the skin. You should do it every few days (preferably twice a week). You can also mix lemon in the water for clear and brighter skin.
Honey
This sweet home remedy does wonders for your skin. The thick and sticky nature of honey can open clogged pores, thus preventing whiteheads. In addition, it’s your best home remedy to get a brighter and glowing skin at home. Honey is often mixed with lemon and other skin-whitening ingredients to give you a radiant, refreshing, and a whiter skin tone. Honey has antibacterial properties that eliminate the trapped bacteria from your clogged pores.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Removing the excess oil trapped in your clogged pores is the only way to unclog them and get a brighter and fresh skin. Apple cider vinegar does exactly the same. It has acetic acid, which acts as the best exfoliator for all types of skin. By removing the oil in your pores, this acid shrinks the size of the whiteheads and remove them eventually. Apple cider vinegar has a pungent odor, which might be uncomfortable for some people. Other than that, it’s absolutely great for your skin.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel is your all-in-one natural remedy for all types of skin problems. Whether it’s acne or whiteheads, this magical gel can give you a bright and refreshing skin. Aloe vera gel works well with lemon. You can make a face mask of these two ingredients or apply aloe vera alone.
The gel has antibacterial and antifungal properties that can reduce whiteheads significantly.
You can apply aloe vera gel daily.
Lemon Juice
Lemon is an acidic solution that has been used as a home remedy for pimples, acne, and other skin issues for centuries. Although there’s no clear research about the effectiveness of lemon juice for acne-prone skin, this natural ingredient can show promising results if used regularly.
Before using, test a small patch of your skin with lemon (especially, if you have a sensitive skin).
Mix lemon juice with equal parts water and apply it to your nose every day or on alternate days. Lemon dries your skin by absorbing excess oil, which makes it a wonderful home remedy for people with oily and acne-prone skin.
Tea Tree Oil
The problem isn’t just the clogged pores, but the bacteria trapped in these pores can cause significant damage to your skin when left unaddressed. Many chemical-based facial moisturizers, toners, and even face wash contain tea tree oil. You can buy fresh tea tree oil and apply it directly to the affected area of your nose with cotton or your fingers.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel can reduce inflammation, sooth your sensitive skin, and shrink the clogged pores filled with bacteria, dirt, and oil. It doesn’t come without side effects, though. Witch hazel has anti-inflammatory properties that can do wonders for oily skin. But for people with dry and sensitive skin, this astringent can cause skin irritation and excess dryness. You must use them twice a week (maximum).
Baking Soda
Baking soda is another powerful natural ingredient, known for balancing your skin’s pH level and treating whiteheads and acne. Mix 3 tbsps of baking soda with equal parts water and apply the paste to your nose. Leave it for 20 minutes and then wash off your face with lukewarm water. Repeat 2-3 times every week to see the results.
Other Treatment Options for Whiteheads
There are plenty of ways to get rid of those annoying white bumps on your nose. But not every method works for everyone. You may need to try a few techniques before you know which one shows the best results. Note that nose strips do not work for whiteheads, as the pores are already clogged so they won’t make any difference. Here’s what else you can try.
Over-the-Counter Treatments
Over-the-counter gels and face creams contain two chemicals — salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, both of which have proven to be effective in treating moderate to severe acne.
Benozyl peroxide is known for cleansing your pores by removing the dead skin cells and bacteria. Salicylic acid unclogs your pores and prevent clogged pores, which cause whiteheads.
These over-the-counter topicals also contain sulfur and other active ingredients that work together to reduce inflammation and lessen the swollen pimples.
Manuka Honey
Certain types of bacteria do not respond to the antibiotics and any kind of topicals. That’s where Manuka Honey comes into the picture. It’s much more than a sweetener that adds flavors to your desserts. Here’s how to use:
â— Wash your face with a mild face wash and cold water
â— Take one tablespoon of Manuka honey and apply it across your nose
â— Wash your noise after 15-20 minutes and then apply a moisturizer.
You can find Manuka honey at any pharmacy or retail store, or you can buy them online.
For stubborn whiteheads that won’t disappear with gels and topicals, your dermatologist might recommend antibiotics and prescription treatments. Birth control pills can also help, but these might cause side effects. So, choose wisely.
How to Squeeze Whiteheads on Nose?
Many people do this. They think it’s best to pop the pimple or a whitehead to get rid of it completely, but end up with more bumps and spots left by these bumps.
Touching your skin can lead to the buildup of contaminants and bacteria, which can make your whiteheads worse.
The worst part is that it can lead to permanent scarring.
Still, if you have tried all home remedies or medical solutions and see no results, your last resort is to pop them. Although popping whiteheads is strictly not recommended, if you still want to do that, here are some basic precautions everyone should follow when squeezing them.
â— Wash your hands before touching your face.
â— Take cotton and squeeze the pimple from either side to pop it.
â— Once you have popped it, wash your face with a mild face wash and apply a toner.
As mentioned before, popping whiteheads is not as easy as it seems. So, don’t put too much pressure if you had a failed attempt at popping whiteheads.
Tips to Prevent Whiteheads on Nose
People have many misconceptions about acne and whiteheads. Some people believe that greasy food can worsen the acne, while others think stress is the leading cause.
No matter the cause, one thing is for sure — you can prevent whiteheads by watching your diet and following these simple whitehead prevention tips.
â— Do not touch the whiteheads, especially without washing your hands first
â— Do not use face wash or toners containing dyes and fragrances. These products can irritate your skin, clogging pores or worsening your acne.
â— Do not pop whiteheads
â— Do not visit places with high air pollution. If you live in an area that reports high
humidity, improve your skin hygiene.
â— Do not scrub aggressively and avoid harsh chemical cleansers
â— Always remove makeup before going to bed and moisturize your skin (even if you have oily skin).
â— Always apply a sunscreen when exposing your skin to the sun for prolonged periods
â— Always keep your hair away from your skin and ensure that your haircare products do not come in contact with your face.
Bottom Line
Hope this post answered “how to remove whiteheads from nose”. Whiteheads are often not as serious as acne, as they are barely visible. However, if you see a whitehead breakout that has affected your nose, chin, and other parts of your face, you should see a dermatologist. They will help you figure out the cause of whiteheads and a suitable treatment plan.
