Sebaceous filaments can never be completely removed. If they are extracted, they return quickly, usually within 30 days or less for those with very oily skin. Therefore, experts advise against taking them out since sebaceous filaments are more difficult to remove.
Since sebaceous filaments are a normal part of your skin, you cannot get rid of them. While large sebaceous filaments can be professionally extracted, removing them is only temporary—they always come back. However, there are ways you can make them appear smaller.
Though you may be tempted to squeeze or otherwise get rid of a sebaceous filament, it's best to leave them alone. Squeezing or picking at sebaceous filaments risks scarring and spreading any bacteria that may be in or around the pore to other parts of your face, causing a breakout.
use skincare products, such as cleansers, moisturizers, and make-up, labeled “oil-free” or “non-comedogenic,” which are less likely to clog pores. moisturize every day to keep the skin hydrated. opt for a gentle, foaming face wash, as harsh products dry out the skin prompting it to produce more oil.
However if you attempt to extract sebaceous filaments they will refill again, anywhere from within a few days to 30 days. This is because your skin actually needs them. They are normal function of an oilier skin, there to protect the lining of the pore and prevent bacterial invasion.
Sebaceous filaments are most commonly found in the centrofacial areas and the alae nasae in postpuberal individuals with large facial pores and seborrhea.
Retinol and retinoids can also be really effective against sebaceous filaments. They increase the rate of cell turnover, which helps keep dead skin cells from getting stuck in your pores. This, in turn, helps regulate oil flow and prevents sebum from building up and hardening.
Sebaceous filaments are permanent, but you can minimize their appearance.
Try retinoids.
Be it a prescription-strength or OTC option, retinoids "increase the turnover of skin cells and reduce the tendency of cells and keratin debris to clump together and clog up pores," King told us about sebum plugs (just another name for when those sebaceous filaments spill out).
Because pore strips aren't strong enough to remove blackheads, but are able to pull out sebaceous filaments, they end up stripping our skin of our natural oils and getting rid of the pore's protection from bacteria.
Accutane is a vitamin A–containing a drug that helps regulate sebum secretion through sebaceous glands and aids in cell regeneration and the reduction of debris in pores. Antibiotics are only used in extremely rare cases where sebaceous filament infections become chronic and dangerous.
Utilize Active Ingredients Like BHA, AHAs, and Retinoids
Allawh. “They not only help treat sebaceous filaments, but also prevent [new] sebaceous filaments from forming.”
The best topical treatment for sebaceous filaments and comedonal acne is prescription nighttime topical retin-a, specifically Tretinoin and Tazorac or over-the-counter adapalene gel in conjunction with a morning Salicylic acid wash—a keratolytic (destroying the excess keratin).
Its really helped to clear my nose of sebaceous filaments! Even with BHA and AHA in my routine, my nose was prone to these clogged pores of sebaceous filaments; it literally looked like these plugs dotted on the sides of my nose, gross!
Regular use of a BHA (beta hydroxy acid) exfoliant for sebaceous filaments can really help, because BHA is oil-soluble and can dissolve sebum and other substances crowding the pore lining. Use of a well-formulated clay face mask for sebaceous filaments might also help due to the clay's oil-absorbing properties.
Salicylic acid is studied to reduce the size of sebaceous filaments. Known for its minimizing effect on pores, benzoyl peroxide helps reduce inflammation while getting rid of bacteria and excess oil.
"Any active ingredients that work to exfoliate the skin will improve the look of sebaceous filaments," says Dr. Linkner. "Common examples of active ingredients include retinol, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid."
The white stuff that comes out of your pores like thin strings when you squeeze your nose is called a sebaceous filament. It's mostly made up of sebum (oil that your skin produces) and dead skin cells. This substance typically collects in pores around your nose and chin.
“A sebaceous filament is just oil and keratin — no bacteria. They are not harmful.” Similar to a blackhead, however, the contents of a sebaceous filament oxidize when they hit the air, making them appear dark in color.
To keep your sebaceous filaments in check, we recommend you wash your face with a gentle, salicylic-acid-packed formula like the CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser ($12) daily to help dissolve any oil buildup, then apply an OTC retinoid treatment to keep sebaceous filaments from coming back.
The Takeaway
While blackheads are a form of congestion typically seen on the nose and forehead, sebaceous filaments are actually part of your skin—they're tube-like structures that help facilitate oil secretion from the sebaceous glands to your skin.
Acne patches.
Even though sebaceous filaments are not acne, they can sometimes be so noticeable you can't help but want to pick at them. When this happens, try using a pimple patch to cover the area. The patch will draw out the sebaceous filament and protect the pore from your fingers.
Sebum doesn't cause facial odour:
The sebaceous glands are tiny glands in the skin which produce an oily/waxy substance, called sebum, to moisturise the skin and hair. These glands are found in greatest amounts on the face and scalp. Sebum has no smell, but its bacterial breakdown can produce a bad smell.
PLEASE DO NOT DO MULTIPLE STRIPS IN A ROW.
Pore strips can damage more sensitive, thin skin and even pull out both skin and hair. That's why there's a warning within the instructions to only use nose strips about once a week. Overusing nose strips can make your skin actually look worse. Pore strips can be abrasive, causing skin irritation and turning red.