Sebaceous filaments, what they are and the difference with blackheads

Pblack grease or sebaceous filaments? Although they may appear similar, there is a difference between the two mainly because comedones can be removed, while filaments cannot. These they are in fact fundamental in the formation of the hydrolipidic film which keeps the face perfectly hydrated. So be careful not to “torture and squeeze” them.

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Facial skin and imperfections, what are sebaceous filaments

Visually they can appear very similar to blackheads, which is why the temptation to crush them is very strong. In reality, by doing so, you make a big mistake because, unlike the black points, sebaceous filaments are fundamental.

«These are cylindrical structures, generally yellowish, whitish or greyish in colour, which surround and fill the hair follicle without obstructing it. They are essentially made up of sebum and cellular debris» explains the dermatologist and aesthetic doctor Paolo Greco.

Naturally present on the skin, they have the function of bringing the sebum produced by the glands to the surface: «Basically they have the fundamental task of forming the hydrolipidic film, that “protective veil” present all over the skin which is important for protecting it from external agents”.

«For this reason, sebaceous filaments are formations present on all skin types and are particularly evident in the T zone, where the sebaceous glands are much more numerous. In some cases they can be mistaken for blackheads: in subjects with particularly oily skin and enlarged pores, the sebaceous filaments can become particularly evident and take on, due to the oxidation of sebum lipids, a darker complexion, to the point of being confused.”

Sebaceous filaments or blackheads?

So how do you distinguish the two?

“THE blackheadsalso known as open comedones, represent a pathological condition of the skin and they are the most common manifestation of non-inflammatory acne. These are follicular papules of approximately 1-3 mm in diameter, slightly raised compared to the skin plane made up of various material such as sebum, keratin, microorganisms and cellular debris which accumulate in the hair follicle, obstructing it.” When the comedo opens, generally as a result of pressure, the mixture made up of sebum and impurities of various types comes into contact with the air, oxidising and forming the classic blackish color that characterizes the blackhead.

«Blackheads are also located more frequently in the T-zone of the facebut are generally associated with whiteheads, closed comedones, and in forms of inflammatory acne with papules, pustules or nodules” explains the dermatologist.

The main difference therefore between blackheads and sebaceous films is in the colourblack for the former and grey-whitish for the latter, but also in depth: the filaments are not superficial but are deeper, under the skintherefore they cannot be crushed: «First of all, it is necessary avoid trying to extrude them mechanically by “squeezing” them. This procedure can cause inflammation and infection of the follicle and can sometimes lead to the appearance of unaesthetic scars.”

A thorough cleansing

Not being able to eliminate them, also given their fundamental hydrating function, sebaceous filaments cannot even be prevented but their appearance can be improved: «It is essentialthorough facial cleansing focusing on alpha hydroxy acids, namely mandelic and glycolic acid, over beta hydroxy acids, including salicylic acid, retinol and sulfur. I also always recommend the application of clay masks and avoid particularly greasy creams or containing comedogenic substances.”

For a deeper cleansing, exfoliating treatments such as i.e. can be performed at the dermatologist peeling based on salicylic, mandelic and glycolic acid or laser treatments such as the Carbon Peel, which allows thorough cleansing thanks to the application of a liquid carbon-based mask which is subsequently removed using the laser.

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