How to Get Rid of Whiteheads (Without Squeezing Them)
How to get rid of whiteheads: why you shouldn't pop them, what the AAD recommends instead, how long it takes, and when to see a dermatologist.
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In this guide
- What are whiteheads?
- Is it a whitehead, a blackhead or a pimple?
- Can you pop a whitehead?
- How to get rid of whiteheads: what dermatologists recommend
- The gentle routine that helps
- Do pimple patches work on whiteheads?
- How long does it take to get rid of whiteheads?
- When to see a dermatologist for whiteheads
- Questions people ask
The fastest way to get rid of whiteheads is also the least satisfying one: stop touching them, use a treatment that unclogs pores, and give it weeks, not days. Squeezing feels like progress, but the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says picking at whiteheads can lead to more whiteheads and acne scars.
Here’s what whiteheads actually are, what dermatologists recommend instead of popping, how long it takes to see a change, and when it’s time to get help.
What are whiteheads?
The AAD explains that a whitehead forms when excess oil and dead skin cells build up and plug the opening of a pore. When the pore closes over, you see a tiny bump that looks white or flesh colored. They’re a type of acne.
Having them doesn’t mean your skin is dirty. A pore got clogged, that’s all. (The AAD makes the same point about blackheads: the dark color is not dirt, and scrubbing them is a bad idea.)
Is it a whitehead, a blackhead or a pimple?
The treatment depends on the bump, so it helps to know which one you have. Going by the AAD’s guide to acne types:
- Whiteheads are clogged pores that close up, leaving a tiny white or flesh-colored bump.
- Blackheads are pores that fill with debris but stay open. The black dots aren’t dirt, so the AAD says to resist scrubbing. The AAD recommends the same retinoid plus benzoyl peroxide approach.
- Papules are small, red, hard bumps caused by inflammation. The AAD suggests an acne face wash with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
- Pustules look like papules but contain a yellowish fluid, often with a yellow or white center. Same advice: a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid wash, and do not pop them.
- Nodules and cysts go deep into the skin and often leave permanent scars when they heal. The AAD says these need a dermatologist’s help, and the sooner you start treatment, the fewer scars you will have.
Have blackheads too? We covered them in how to get rid of blackheads. If you can’t tell what you’re looking at, a dermatologist can tell you in a minute.
Can you pop a whitehead?
No. It’s the one rule every source agrees on. The AAD’s list of habits that make acne worse includes popping or squeezing breakouts, and tells you to resist the temptation.
Why it backfires: squeezing irritates the skin, and the AAD links picking to scarring. You can end up with a mark where there used to be a tiny white dot.
How to get rid of whiteheads: what dermatologists recommend
According to the AAD, to unclog pores, dermatologists recommend using a retinoid. One retinoid, adapalene, can be bought without a prescription. The AAD also suggests adding a benzoyl peroxide wash, which helps get rid of the excess acne bacteria on your skin.
1. A retinoid (adapalene)
A retinoid is the ingredient that unclogs pores, and adapalene is the one you can buy without a prescription. Here’s one example, using only what the brand says on its own site:
Why we like it: The brand says it’s approved for people 12 and older with mild-to-moderate acne, and to apply a pea-sized amount once daily to the full face, morning or night but not both. The brand lists dryness, redness, irritation and burning or stinging as common side effects.
Read the label, and ask a parent or pharmacist if you’re unsure which product to grab.
Two things to expect. First, dryness and irritation are common at the start. The brand says irritation usually lessens after four weeks of continued, once-daily use, and suggests a gentle moisturizer. Second, it’s sun-sensitive: the brand’s FAQ says to limit sun exposure and use sunscreen as labeled.
2. A benzoyl peroxide wash
Benzoyl peroxide targets the bacteria side of acne. Not sure whether it or salicylic acid is the better fit? Read benzoyl peroxide vs. salicylic acid.
3. Don’t start everything on the same day
This one is common sense, not an AAD rule. If you add a retinoid, a benzoyl peroxide wash and a new moisturizer in one night and your face stings, you won’t know which one did it. Start one product, wait until your skin settles, then add the next. If you’re not sure how to build the order, our skincare routine for teens walks through it.
The gentle routine that helps
Clogged pores don’t get better when you attack your face. The AAD’s tips for acne-prone skin are pretty plain:
- Wash gently, up to twice a day and after sweating. The AAD says to choose a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser and apply it with your fingertips.
- Skip the scrubbing. The AAD says scrubbing with washcloths, sponges and other tools can irritate your skin and make acne flare. Washing several times a day does the same.
- Be careful with astringents, toners and exfoliants. The AAD notes they can dry skin and worsen acne.
- Wear sunscreen. The AAD recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on skin that’s outdoors, labeled “non-comedogenic” or “won’t clog pores.”
- Keep your hands off your face. The AAD says touching your face throughout the day can cause acne to flare.
- Check your makeup and hair products. The AAD includes using makeup, skin care and hair care products that can cause acne in its list of habits that worsen breakouts. Look for labels like “oil-free” or “non-comedogenic.”
If your face is oily and you’re not sure what your skin type is, take the skin type quiz first.
Do pimple patches work on whiteheads?
A patch covers one spot, so it can’t treat clogged pores across your whole forehead. We went through the details, including which kinds of spots patches are meant for, in do pimple patches work.
How long does it take to get rid of whiteheads?
Longer than you want. The AAD says to give treatment six to eight weeks to work. The brand page for Differin says to use it consistently for 12 weeks for best results, so some products ask for even more patience.
A good habit: take a photo in the same light every two weeks, and compare. Day-to-day changes are almost impossible to see.
When to see a dermatologist for whiteheads
The AAD says that if you still see blemishes after treatment, you may want to see a dermatologist. A dermatologist might do comedo extraction, a procedure to remove the clogged contents of blackheads and whiteheads safely. They can also prescribe stronger acne treatment.
Book a visit sooner if:
- nothing has changed after the six to eight weeks the AAD suggests
- your skin is very red, sore, swollen or painful
- you keep getting marks or scars after breakouts
- a product is burning or peeling your skin and moisturizer isn’t helping
- your breakouts are making you want to avoid people or school
Not sure how to ask for an appointment? Here’s how to make a doctor’s appointment. Treating acne early matters: the AAD says dermatologists recommend treating acne when it begins.
