A Complete Guide to Treat Comedones
What's Comedone?
Comedones are tiny, flesh-colored, white, or black lumps that form when sebum, dead skin cells, and debris block pores. They are among the first indicators of acne and are usually non-inflammatory. They typically form on the nose, forehead, and chin but can also arise on the back, chest, and shoulders.
Where will it appear?
Comedonal acne can appear on the face, chest, and back, where sebaceous follicles are most abundant. Comedones are usually located in the T-zone, where oil glands are abundant, such as on your forehead and chin. This type is common during early puberty with hormone swings, but Cheung says anyone can get it.
Types of Comedones:
1. Open (Blackheads)
- These are little dark skin patches. Dark colour isn't dirt but oxidation from air-exposed clogged pores.
2. Closed Whiteheads
- Small, flesh-colored or white lumps form when a clogged pore seals. Untreated, they can become inflammatory acne and feel elevated under the skin.
3. Microcomedones
- These comedones are the smallest and generally inconspicuous. They can become blackheads or whiteheads if not treated early.
What Causes Comedones?
- Overproduction of sebum
- Buildup of dead skin
- Comedogenic makeup or skincare
- Hormonal imbalances
- Poor or inconsistent skincare
- Dairy- and sugar-heavy diet
- Pollution and environmental stress
Get Effective Treatments at Home
- Salicylic Acid: Deeply cleans and exfoliates pores
- Retinoids topically: Increase skin cell turnover
- Peroxide reduces germs and inflammation
- Clay masks absorb oil and clear pores
- Our Clinic Offers Professional Care
- Extraction of Comedones: Manual, sterile removal
- Medical-grade chemical peels for flawless skin
- Laser & Light Therapy: Reduce oil, kill bacteria.
- Medical-grade facials: Deep cleansing and moisturizing
When to see a dermatologist?
- Consult a professional if over-the-counter remedies are ineffective.
- Spreading or worsening acne
- Pain, redness, or inflammation
- Skin darkening or scarring begins.
One last thought
- Common comedones don't mean you have to live with them. Clear, bright skin is possible with proper skincare and professional care.
Comedonal acne risks
- Comedonal acne is frequent in preteens and teens, like most acne. At practically every age, including adulthood, it can happen.
- When it starts during adolescence, comedonal acne may indicate acne vulgaris.
- However, comedones do not always cause pimples. Who gets acne depends on other variables, including heredity.
- Comedonal acne runs in families. If your parents or siblings had it, you probably will too.
- Puberty increases testosterone production, which can overactivate sebaceous glands. Hormone levels surge before menstruation.
- Face products can also cause or worsen comedonal acne. Hair pomades and greasy skin care products are examples. Air pollution and humidity can also cause comedonal acne.
Diagnosing Comedonal Acne
- Comedonal acne is mainly diagnosed by appearance.
- If topical therapies don't work, your doctor may check for another health issue.
- Keratosis pilaris: harmless acne-like pimples
- Fibrofolliculoma: a hair follicle tumour that is benign.
- Sebaceous hyperplasia: benign sebaceous gland enlargement
- Folliculitis: hair follicle infection
Treatment for Comedonal Acne
As with normal acne, comedonal outbreaks are not hygiene-related. Scrubbing or cleaning your face more won't help an outbreak. Daily skincare is crucial, but it cannot treat or prevent comedonal acne.
OTC and prescription acne treatments include:
- Salicylic acid
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Differin (adapalene)
- Topical retinoids
- Azelaic acid
- Topical OTC acne therapy may be enough for mild comedonal acne. Dermatologists may treat severe or persistent comedonal acne.
- Whether you use OTC or prescription, it can take 12 weeks to notice skin improvement. Even without instant results, keep going.
- The American Academy of Dermatology recommends retinoid products for blackheads and whiteheads. Vitamin A-derived retinoids reduce dead skin cells and irritation.
- You can also prevent skin bacteria from infecting comedones by using a benzoyl peroxide face wash.
Removal of comedones
A dermatologist or aesthetician uses sterile tools like a comedone extractor to manually remove blackheads (open) and whiteheads (closed) by clearing clogged pores of oil, dead skin, and bacteria after cleansing and steaming the skin to prevent scarring and infection, resulting in clearer skin and better texture. DIY attempts can damage the skin.
What it is
- The process involves the manual removal of blocked pores.
- Focus: Open, oxidised blackheads and closed whiteheads.
The method
- Deeply cleanse skin to remove grime and oil.
- Steam/Soften: Steam or lotions open pores.
- Extract: Pressure from a sterile tool releases the obstruction.
- To prevent infection, disinfect.
- Apply a calming mask or antiseptic.
Why it happens
- Clears clogged pores, prevents outbreaks and irritation, and improves skin texture and appearance.
Important factors
- Professional Only: To avoid scarring, infection, and irritation, go to a pro.
- DIY risks: Home acne popping can cause infection, discoloration, and scarring.
- Aftercare: Healing requires post-procedure care.
Extracting comedones: side effects
Side effects from comedone extraction are usually mild and temporary (redness, swelling, sensitivity), but improper home extraction can cause scarring, infection, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots). Professional extraction reduces risks, but aftercare is essential to prevent inflammation, deeper blockages, and lasting damage.
Common and Temporary Side Effects (Professional Extraction)
- Redness and sensitivity: post-extraction irritation passes between hours and days.
- Some minor swelling may occur in treated regions.
- Some incidences of minor bruising are transitory.
Unsafe Extraction (Especially at Home)
- Scarring: Aggressive squeezing or unsterile equipment can scar skin permanently.
- Unsterile settings can spread bacteria, causing infection.
- In deeper skin tones, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) can cause dark patches.
- Pushing Obstacles Deeper: Can aggravate acne or irritation.
When to Consult a Professional
- Choose a dermatologist or aesthetician for their sterile instruments and skills.
- Non-inflamed blackheads/whiteheads are best extracted.
- Aftercare to Avoid Problems
- Avoid strong products, sun, and touching if advised by a specialist.
- Keep it clean and wet.
Comedonal Acne Prevention
- Changing your skincare routine might prevent or decrease minor comedone acne outbreaks. These few methods may avoid pore blockage:
- Wash your face twice every day. Over-cleaning acne-prone skin can irritate, dry, and inflame it. Inflamed skin is more susceptible to infection, increasing acne risk. You just need to wash your face twice a day, usually in the morning and before bed.
- Use non-pore-clogging products. Prevent pore clogging using non-oily moisturizers, cleansers, and cosmetics. Some claim to be anti-acnegenic, others non-comedogenic.
- Clean cosmetic brushes and applicators. Bristles and pads easily accumulate sebum and dead skin. Warm, soapy water usually removes them. Thoroughly rinse and air-dry.
- Remove makeup before bed. Makeup can block pores if worn overnight. Avoid irritation and remove makeup with a fragrance-free, non-alcohol makeup remover. Several items contain glycerin or aloe vera to hydrate skin.
- After exercise, wash up. Keep perspiration and grease off your skin. Rehydrate with a mild, oil-free moisturizer after showering.
- Do not squeeze blackheads or whiteheads. This practice is more likely to harm and discolor your skin. Clay masks and adhesive pore strips remove microscopic blackheads. Keep whiteheads alone and treat topically.
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