Whiteheads

A whitehead is a non-inflamed, clogged pore. It forms when excess oil (sebum) and dead skin cells block a hair follicle beneath the skin’s surface. Despite the name, whiteheads may appear as small white, pale, or skin-coloured bumps. They are usually not sore or tender.

As sebum and dead skin cells continue to accumulate, the blocked follicle may become distended. If follicle wall becomes damaged or ruptures, the material inside it can enter and irritate the surrounding skin, intensifying the inflammatory response. The lesion may then develop into a papule or a pus-filled pustule. However, many whiteheads never progress to this stage.