Difference Between Whiteheads and Blackheads

Whiteheads vs Blackheads

One of the worst nightmares of teenagers and those undergoing the stage of puberty are pimples or zits. These skin blemishes cause their self-confidence to be low. This makes them more vain. They force them to look in the mirror constantly. They also make them self-conscious 100 per cent of the time.

As we all know, pimples are part of the growing process. For some it’s naturally healing, but for some it’s horrible becoming acne up to the point of having adult acne. Pimples can be classified as whiteheads or blackheads. Let us try to discriminate between both words.

Blackheads are also called open comedones. Comedones are follicles or structures with an opening. Blackheads have follicles that are abnormally wider than the normal. When these wide follicles are filled with the oil from the skin and dirt from the environment, a chemical reaction happens. This results in the oxidation of melanin. When melanin is oxydized, it turns into a darker color. Thus, we always notice that blackheads are dark in color.

Whiteheads, on the other hand, are also known as closed comedones. These also have follicles. However, the follicles are very minute and small in nature. When dirt and oil tries to penetrate these follicles, it can sometimes remain on the surface and not penetrate fully. Thus, these are not being oxidized. The outer color is lighter in color since no oxidation happened.

Skin care must be consistent daily when whiteheads and blackheads are evident in a pimple-prone person. One must use a mild facial cleanser to wash away the dirt and oil on the skin surface.Treatment of blackheads and whiteheads can be via a facial wash with a benzoyl peroxide component for acne. It can also be through the use of Tretinoin, Isotretinoin, or through the painful extraction which is done by a skilled person or a dermatologist.

The face should not also be touched frequently as the hand carries lots of dirt and microorganisms. One may also use facial wipes when there is evidence of oiliness on the skin surface. Just don’t take your pimples seriously as they will also vanish in time.

Summary:

1.Blackheads are known as open comedones while whiteheads are known as closed comedones.
2.The follicles of the blackheads are wider and larger while the follicles of whiteheads are minute and microscopic.
3.In blackheads, there is oxygenation of the melanin due to the penetration of dirt and oil giving it a darker color while in whiteheads, there is no oxidation.

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