Blackhead/whitehead management

Let me break it down for you: those pesky blackheads on your nose just won't quit! no matter how much you try to get rid of them, they always seem to return.

blackhead

First, blackheads are caused by clogged pores.When the sebaceous glands in your skin produce an excess amount of oil (sebum), this oil can accumulate and block the opening of the hair follicle. The portion of this buildup that is exposed to the air oxidizes and turns black, becoming what we visibly recognize as blackheads, or open comedones.

Blackheads typically have a hard texture, and you can feel small, firm bumps when you touch them. If you use tweezers to pull them out or extract them, you’ll notice that blackheads are granular plugs of hardened oil and dead skin cells. The closer they are to the surface and exposed to air, the harder these little bumps become.

Whitehead

If the blockage is located deeper within the skin, at a distance from the opening of the hair follicle and not exposed to air, it won't undergo oxidation. As a result, it retains a relatively lighter color. However, you can still see a small bump on the surface. This is what we call a "whitehead," or a closed comedone.

Sebaceous Filaments

BUT, Not all those tiny black dots are blackheads or whiteheads! They could also be sebaceous filaments.

Some people might notice these tiny black dots on their noses. If you squeeze them, you might get a yellowish, thread-like substance that’s soft in texture. This is what we call sebaceous filaments.

Everyone has them—they’re a normal byproduct of your hair follicles' metabolism. Unlike blackheads, sebaceous filaments have a more fluid consistency and don’t clog your pores.

How to deal with them?

First, it’s important to understand that blackheads, whiteheads, and sebaceous filaments cannot be permanently eradicated, because your skin is constantly producing oil!

As mentioned earlier, the cause of blackheads and whiteheads is clogged pores + excess oil production, so the solution is: unclog pores + control oil!

As for sebaceous filaments, they are the result of oil produced by unclogged hair follicles, so the solution is simply: control oil!

Friendly Reminder

Whether it's real blackheads or "fake" ones (like sebaceous filaments), remember these two points:

1. Don’t squeeze them with your hands! This can stretch your pores, making them larger, and improper squeezing can lead to infections, especially in the facial "triangle zone."

   
   

2. Avoid using clay masks, pore strips, or comedone extractors. These methods might help a little, but the effects are minimal and only temporary—they don’t address the root cause.

   
   

Unclogging Pores

Daily Home Skincare:Cleanse your skin twice daily (morning and evening) using a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser suited to your skin type. This helps remove excess oil, dirt, and impurities without clogging pores.

Weekly Professional Treatment (Salon):One of the most advanced and effective methods available today is the AquaPeel (also known as HydraFacial or Hydro Microdermabrasion). This innovative treatment combines gentle suction with acid-based solutions to deeply cleanse and unclog pores, removing impurities, dead skin cells, and excess oil. Unlike traditional methods, it is non-invasive and causes no damage to the skin, leaving it refreshed, hydrated, and glowing.

For best results, pair consistent home care with regular professional treatments to maintain clear, healthy skin.

Minimizing Pores

• The well-known "cure-all" treatment: Photon Rejuvenation (medically known as Intense Pulsed Light, IPL). It can indeed shrink pores, but it requires a few treatment sessions. The results aren’t instant—it’s a long-term investment (both in time and money). If you’ve got the budget, go for it, beauty queen!

• Fractional laser for non-ablative skin resurfacing, this is a powerful treatment to shrink the pore, but also a few sessions needed. 

• Mesoskin Treatment is an advanced, non-needle mesotherapy technique designed to enhance overall skin health. This treatment works by delivering nourishing ingredients, such as vitamins, hyaluronic acid, and peptides, directly into the skin using a specialized device. It’s a foundational skincare procedure that improves skin texture, boosts hydration, and helps shrink pores for a smoother, more refined appearance. As a monthly skincare routine, Mesoskin is perfect for maintaining long-term skin vitality and addressing multiple concerns without the need for invasive methods. It’s an ideal choice for those seeking a gentle yet effective way to achieve radiant, healthy skin.

  
  

   Controlling Oil

  
  

  1. Daily Skincare: Daily Skincare: Cleanse with a suitable product and hydrate your skin to maintain a healthy balance between water and oil.

     
     

  2. Professional Treatments: Procedures like chemical peels, photon rejuvenation (IPL), Lasers and radiofrequency are also highly effective for controlling oil.

  
  

  Internal adjustments

  Finally, don’t overlook the importance of internal adjustments for healthy skin.  Prioritize getting enough sleep, sticking to a regular schedule, and maintaining a balanced diet rich in nutrients. Reduce your intake of greasy and sugary foods to help keep your skin clear and glowing from the inside out!