Sebaceous filaments treatment and how it’s different from blackheads?

Reviewed by Dr. Hun Kim Thao

It’s easy to get confused between sebaceous filaments and blackheads. In this article, Grace Skincare Clinic will help you to know about the sebaceous filaments treatment and understand better about them and differentiate between the two.

What is sebum?

To understand more about sebaceous filaments, we should understand what sebum is? Sebum is the oil produced by the sebaceous glands on your skin. Sebaceous glands are located next to the hair follicles and in the dermis.

Sebum is secreted through the hair follicles to soften the skin, keep it hydrated, and limit the penetration of bacteria from the external environment. Sebaceous glands are scattered throughout the body except for the palms and soles of the feet.

What are sebaceous filaments?

Sebaceous filaments are white, opaque, bright, and almost skin-like colored filaments formed by a mixture of sebum, bacteria, accumulated dead cells around hair follicles. When viewed from outside, we can see the white sebaceous filaments situated slightly above the surface of the skin.

When squeezing these filaments, we will see this white “string cheese” slinking out of the pores. They are often confused with blackheads.

According to Dermatologist Hun Kim Thao at Grace Skincare Clinic, sebaceous glands appear naturally in the skin system, which helps to soften and moisturize the skin naturally. The sebaceous glands are scattered throughout the body but are concentrated mostly in areas around the nose and on the forehead where the sebaceous glands are strongly active.

Excessive skin cleansing, which disrupts skin moisture balance, inadvertently triggers the sebaceous gland to be even more active. Then these sebaceous glands quickly return to their normal 30-day cycle. However, rest assured that your skin will not have sebum problems if it is well treated.

Differences between sebaceous filaments and blackheads

According to Dermatologist Hun Kim Thao, the difference between sebaceous filaments and blackheads lies in whether the hair follicles remain open or closed:

Sebaceous filaments

Sebaceous filaments small in size, slightly raised above the skin surface, and do not get oxidized. This is why they have an ivory white color or the same color as the skin. It feels softer and moisturized when touching sebaceous filaments, explaining why they can help to soften and moisturize the skin.

Blackheads

slightly raised above the skin surface and get oxidized. It is formed due to the accumulation of sebum, bacteria, and dead cells in hair follicles. This compound is extruded out of the skin by its natural skin cycle (28-30 days), making the pores open. Therefore, the compound after a period of time will be oxidized and turned to black or dark brown, which is dry and hard when touched on the area of ​​acne.

Blackheads can form randomly and separately on the skin while the sebaceous filaments usually form by areas (mainly in the nose, forehead, or chin).

How to treat sebaceous filaments and blackheads?

Treating sebaceous filaments

The sebaceous filament is a naturally occurring part of your skin’s system. We can only limit their appearance by scientifically treating them. If you deliberately take strong measures like sucking, squeezing, and peeling, sebaceous filaments will quickly return.

You can use toner and facial wash with balanced pH to remove excess oil without drying your skin. You can use the facial sauna, or even combined it with acne treatments to reduce oil and sebaceous filaments.

Treating blackheads

There is no treatment to completely get rid of both sebaceous filaments and blackheads. However, we can limit their appearance with a scientific skincare regime. To help get rid of them more easily, you can use natural essential oils in a facial sauna to help open the pores and extrude impurities out of the skin.

However, according to the Dermatologist Hun Kim Thao, squeezing blackheads with hands can easily cause infection, leave acne scars,s and dark pigmentations, so it is best to seek direct support from dermatologists who have experience of eliminating them properly.

You can use products with ingredients such as AHA (alpha hydroxy acid), glycolic acid, BHA (Beta hydroxy acid), and salicylic acid to reduce the amount of oil on the skin. With the ability to remove sebum, eliminate dead skin and clear the pores, these ingredients assist in the treatment of blackheads. However, these products can slightly dry out the skin. This is why you should properly moisturize your skin when using them.

In addition, home-based skincare is fairly limited in many aspects, making it not effective in skincare as well as sebum and acne reduction. Thus, dermatologists at Grace Skincare Clinic recommend that patients should have skincare; sessions directly with dermatologists 1-2 times a month.

At Grace Skincare Clinic, your skin will be clinically examined by a dermatologist who then will design a scientific skincare course tailor-made to your skin type.

In some cases, blackheads are often accompanied by under-the-skin pimples and acne inflammation. At Grace Skincare Clinic, all acne conditions including pimples, acne inflammation, and under the skin pimples are treated by our dermatologists with a treatment course designated specifically for that condition.

Most patients can feel a clear improvement within 2 weeks and are highly confident with their healthy skin after treatment. We have successfully examined and treated more than 9000 cases of pimples and acne, 98% of which saw clear alleviation after the first two weeks following the doctor’s regimen.

Contact Us

Grace Skincare Clinic
An international cosmetic dermatology clinic in Vietnam using FDA and CE-approved medical devices and treatments.

Mayfair Suites, 102ABC Cong Quynh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
Book your appointment: https://www.graceskinclinic.com/book-now
Tel: 0822-531-223
Hotline: 0961-796-809