For the face, favour the cleaning technique wherever possible.

Whitehead acne is probably the most misleading type of acne to squeeze, as often there is a secondary formation of waxy gunk further down the skin pore, which results in the pimple reforming quickly after the head has been removed by washing or popping.

Using at least one finger/thumb nail is preferrable to using only the soft bit of the fingers.

Get enough of the skin around the blackhead so that the squeezing pressure is applied under the visible top.

Remember, pain IS part of this process, especially when the zit (rapidly) exits the skin - so when you're ready, squeeze firmly with increasing pressure as needed.

Whiteheads usually exit with a rapid, exploding action (ouch!).

For whiteheads that are just composed of the whitehead itself, this is usually the end of the process, except for tending to the small wound that is left - a tissue or the soft bit of a clean finger/thumb applied with some inward pressure directly to the wound is usually quite sufficient to quickly dampen any blood flow, thereby encouraging the wound to commence quite rapid healing.

BUT ... also check for residual, clearer fluid or the secondary whitehead - usually indicated by the squeezed area being quite lumpy looking after the inital pop has occured, or when that area is pressed flat by a clean finger or with a tissue, a lump will be felt or be easily seen afterwards, indicating that more squeezing is required.

Clear fluid only can easily re-block the pore, so a similar squeezing method as before will get the fluid to come out - often along with a little bit of blood - this type of fluid left in the pore can quickly form another whitehead or worse - a round, white flattish scab that basically needs to be peeled/picked/rubbed off to get rid of it.

If a waxy formation is also further down the pore, using two finger/thumb nails is often the best so to get right under the lower part of the skin pore, where very targetted pressure can be applied - for that is what is usually required.

These lower heads can really explode out (oooouch!!!), either getting caught on the nail/s or ending up (say) on the mirror if you are close enough - usually the waxy stuff will be more bitzy that the whitehead itself, but would soon form another whitehead (quite painfully if they don't get to near the surface first) if left in.

Clean up the area with a tissue, including pressing hard down on the area with the underside of a clean finger or with a tissue to ensure all the gunk has gone - this will also help reduce the swelling so healing can begin quicker and the wound is not so noticeable.