THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

The Differences between Blackheads, White Heads, Milia, Pustules and Cysts.

Many of us can say that we have issues with our skin, but do we know what is truly going on? Do we know how to get rid of our blemishes correctly without causing damage or scars? In this week’s article we will talk about different types of blemishes: what they are and how to deal with each one.

First things first, let’s talk blackheads. Everyone gets these stubborn guys and unfortunately it is nearly impossible to prevent them. A black head (comedone) is oil (sebum) that is created in pores (follicle). Because the pores are open and the oil is on the surface of the skin, it oxidizes from the oxygen in the air, which turns them black. You can try to squeeze them out as much as you’d like, but the only way to slow down oil production and extract blackheads without any risk of breaking capillaries is to receive a deep cleansing facial at least once a month! Gentle exfoliation twice a week with a proper scrub can be a great added benefit. Find a scrub that has a detoxifying effect. If you leave it on as a mask, it works more effectively by going deeper into the pores to help with the drawing out of blackheads. Most effective is our organic mud which can be mixed with our scrub in order to detoxify skin and pull out blackheads.

White heads and milia are two different types of blemishes that people confuse with each other very often. A white head is lodged deeper in the skin than blackheads and are better known as congested skin. They usually look like little bumps beneath the epidermis that are not inflamed or red. Sometimes you can see the tiny white head, sometimes you do not. Most people get them on the chin, by the hair line, or even on the cheeks or sides of the mouth. It makes sense that people can assume that a harsh acne cream could be a solution to these types of blemishes, but unfortunately it is quite the opposite. Sometimes these harsh acne creams can make them worse by producing an overload of dead skin cells and create an overstimulation in the oil glands. Facials or skincare treatments once a month will really help with the overall appearance of the skin.

A milia is similar to a white head because it also appears as a small white bump, but it feels more firm, almost like a tiny ball under the skin. Because milia do not have a pore (follicle) opening to the surface of the skin they cannot be removed by your hands. They are very tiny ‘superficial’ cysts that must be nicked with the proper device in order to be exposed and extracted. They are most commonly found underneath the eyes and sometimes on the cheeks as well. Milia result from overconsumption of dairy, especially cheese, but they can be genetic! For a proper diagnosis a professional consultation is best.

Finally, saving the worst for last are the big juicy ones: pustules and cysts! A pustule is your traditional ‘zit’. It is red, inflamed and usually has a little white head just waiting to be extracted. The tricky part about pustules is that although they can be extracted easily when ready, you can cause intense scarring or scabbing if extracted incorrectly. It is imperative that you do NOT scratch off, peel or poke these pustules with your nails! You WILL scar and it will be all but permanent if you continue picking! This goes for any blemish: never use nails!A cyst is a hard, painful bump that has no head because it develops underneath the skin and applies a lot of pressure. A true cyst can last for weeks and should not be picked at or touched except by a professional. A cyst can be extracted with the proper tools and by the right esthetician. You cannot leave it to just anyone. A cyst is an infection and can cause damage if it is not handled correctly. Most dermatologists usually apply a cortisone injection to bring down the inflammation caused by the cyst to encapsulate the infection, but this often creates a divot in the skin which can look like an acne scar.F