“To minimize sebaceous filaments (a much safer alternative to peel off masks, pore strips, and at-home extractions), use a good BHA or salicylic-acid product, practice oil cleansing, and use ingredients like niacinamide, zinc, sulfur, and pimple patches," says Joi Lin Tynes, NYS licensed aesthetician and wax specialist ...
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!
How to Reduce Sebaceous Filaments on Your Face. Use a Cleanser with Salicylic Acid. Remove excess impurities and sebum with a charcoal acne cleanser with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid helps dissolve the dead skin cells and oils clogging pores that might lead to large sebaceous filaments.
Reach for Retinol
“Retinol and retinoids can also be really effective against sebaceous filaments,” explains Rouleau. Retinol can sound a little intimidating, especially if you're new at introducing actives to your skincare routine.
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.
The skin's normal process of producing sebum can cause sebaceous filaments to become noticeable. This is more likely to occur in people with more oily skin or larger pores, compared with people who have drier skin and smaller pores. Several factors can determine pore size, including: age.
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.
Utilize Active Ingredients Like BHA, AHAs, and Retinoids
Allawh. “They not only help treat sebaceous filaments, but also prevent [new] sebaceous filaments from forming.”
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.
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.
Using pore strips on the nose is a quick and effective way to get rid of sebaceous filaments (temporarily). Use any of the following products to exfoliate the skin and unclog the troublesome pores: Salicylic acid (or butylated hydroxyanisole) Benzoyl peroxide.
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.
If a person's concerns are mostly around enlarged pores and uneven skin tone, the 10% strength is a great option. For those with more advanced concerns such as sagging pores, orange peel-like texture or oil-related bumps, the 20% strength is preferred.
Niacinamide-containing foods or supplements are safe when taken in doses lower than 35 mg daily. Niacinamide is possibly safe when taken in doses up to 900-1500 mg daily. It might cause side effects such as stomach upset, gas, dizziness, headache, and rash. When applied to the skin: Niacinamide is possibly safe.
Most niacinamide products also contain a variety of other ingredients. If any of these ingredients increase skin cell turnover then they may be behind any 'purging'. Some ingredients can also be 'comedogenic' which means that they are more likely to clog pores and cause breakouts.
Pore strips are unlikely to cause any real damage. However, they may cause redness and skin irritation, especially for those with skin disorders like rosacea or psoriasis, or for patients using prescription acne medications.
The best sebaceous filaments products
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.
Sebaceous filaments are most commonly found in the centrofacial areas and the alae nasae in postpuberal individuals with large facial pores and seborrhea.
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.
It's irreversible damage,” says Dr. Henry. Damaging your skin by squeezing or picking can also cause inflammation, hyperpigmentation and scarring. Squeezing additionally introduces bacteria, oil and dirt from your hands into your pores, which can lead to more blackheads.
It seems that niacinamide has a normalising ability on the pore lining, and this influence plays a role in keeping debris from getting backed up, which leads to clogs and rough, bumpy skin. As the clog forms and worsens, the pores stretch to compensate, and what you'll see is enlarged pores.
What percentage of niacinamide should you be using? Most dermatologists and cosmetic chemists recommend staying within the 2–5% range. Neostrata's Illuminating Serum, for instance, features 4% niacinamide, which will be well-tolerated by most skin types.
“The vitamin is water-soluble and will most effectively absorb into the skin in a serum form,” explains Dr. Patel. “An effective serum should also have two to 10% of niacinamide,” says Annie Gonzalez, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Miami.
For the same reason people extract blackheads — cosmetic purposes! Some people find sebaceous filaments (debatably) unsightly and prefer a smoother skin surface. It's important to note that, since they're a part of your skin, they will come back no matter how many times you extract them. Do not pick or squeeze them!