Every teen has done it: Standing in front of a mirror, you pinch some skin until a small ribbon of white is expelled from the pores. It looks like a worm, and that’s how it got its technical name comedo, which is Latin for a hungry worm.
You probably know it better by its common name: a whitehead. And if you have one, you have many, many more.
Whiteheads are clogged pores that have been closed over by the skin. Their shady opposite, blackheads, are clogged pores that remain open.
Blackheads and whiteheads both share the comedo name and both can be treated successfully. The worst way to treat the clogged pores is by pinching your skin, potentially causing inflammation or scarring. So, even though it may be satisfying to watch the worm wriggle free of the pore, the best way to treat it is with a proven, in-clinic treatment called microdermabrasion.
What is Microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is an exfoliating procedure that scrubs away gunk and dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Think of it like using a tiny sanding machine on your face. During the procedure, a vacuum removes the dead skin cells, oil, and dirt removed and left behind.
As a bonus, exfoliation also helps boost collagen production and minimize hyperpigmentation.
It is recommended that microdermabrasion treatments are repeated monthly or, at the very least, several times a year to keep your skin “worm”-free.
How Does Microdermabrasion Eliminate Whiteheads?
Since a comedo is a clogged pore in the skin and microdermabrasion exfoliates the skin, using microdermabrasion to remove the debris blocking the pore is one of the most effective techniques for eliminating whiteheads.
Microdermabrasion is an exfoliation technique that removes dead skin cells and other surface impurities, allowing the pore to breathe and removing other contaminants from the skin surface that could clog it again.
About Jennifer
Jennifer Curtin is a medical aesthetician who is nationally recognized for her expertise in medical skin care. With more than 20 years of experience in medical aesthetics, she is dedicated to the aesthetic industry and has received awards of merit including the International CIDESCO Certification, Assistant Cosmetic Laser Practitioner and National Leadership Award. Jennifer is also an expert in skin tightening procedures and the president of Skintherapy, a med spa located in the Buckhead section of Atlanta. To schedule an appointment with Jennifer, call 404-358-2961 or click here.
