Sebaceous Filaments - Blackheads -Pimples
Sebaceous filaments are natural, tube-like structures that line the inside of pores and help guide sebum, the skin’s natural oil, from the sebaceous glands to the surface of the skin.
These filaments are composed of a mixture of sebum (the natural oil your body produces), dead skin cells, and bacteria, and are most commonly found on areas of the face with a high concentration of oil glands, such as the nose, forehead, and chin.
Their primary function is to facilitate the flow of oil, which helps keep the skin moisturized and protected from environmental factors.
Unlike blackheads or pimples, sebaceous filaments are NOT a form of acne or a sign of clogged pores. They are a NORMAL and essential part of healthy skin, though they may become more visible in individuals with oily skin or enlarged pores. Sebaceous filaments typically appear as tiny, grayish or flesh-colored dots and are often mistaken for blackheads. While they cannot be permanently removed, regular gentle cleansing and exfoliation can help reduce their appearance and maintain overall skin health.
Blackheads and pimples are both common forms of acne, but they differ in appearance, causes, and how they develop on the skin. Blackheads, also known as open comedones, occur when a hair follicle becomes clogged with excess oil, dead skin cells, and debris. The top of the clogged pore remains open, allowing the contents to be exposed to air. This exposure causes oxidation, which turns the material inside the pore a dark color, resulting in the characteristic black or dark spot seen on the skin’s surface. Blackheads are typically not inflamed or painful and are most often found on the nose, forehead, and chin.
Pimples, on the other hand, are inflamed lesions that develop when a clogged pore becomes infected with bacteria, leading to redness, swelling, and sometimes pus formation.
Unlike blackheads, pimples are closed comedones and can appear as red bumps, whiteheads, or even cystic lesions depending on the severity of the inflammation.
Pimples are often tender or painful to the touch and can occur anywhere on the face or body. While both blackheads and pimples are related to excess oil production and clogged pores, pimples involve an additional inflammatory response, making them more noticeable and sometimes more uncomfortable than blackheads.
IF you are experiencing increased oil products we recommend you use a clay mask such as our Detoxing Clay 3 times per week and a applying our Platinum Regenerative Serum directly after. The clay helps to draw out the impurities and leave the pores and skin fresh and clean, the serum acts as a dose of vitamins and helps to rebalance the amount of sebum retuning to the area.
