Why the blackheads on your nose keep coming back
It's possibly one of the most annoying aspects of skin care — covering those pesky little spots that dot your nose and refuse to go away. Trust me, I've been there, done that and sometimes still struggle with it. So what is up those blackheads and how do you treat them?
Let's start with the definition of "blackhead," technically termed an open comedone. A comedone is a build up of cells and sebum inside follicles. Open comedones occur when the follicle is exposed to oxygen, turning all that junk inside it black (whiteheads are closed comedones).
But, that probably isn't what's on your nose. Sebaceous filaments are the probably culprit here. SFs are solidified impactions of oil in the follicles, but contain no cell matter; therefore, these little buggers don't appear black. So take a good look at your nose. Are your spots dark? Congrats, you've got blackheads that can be removed with gentle exfoliation and patience. Are they more flesh-colored? Probably SFs, and you'll need extra patience to remove these.
Above you can see SFs on my own beautiful, bulbous honker. Enhanced by my BB cream, no less. Sexy, right?
SFs return so often because they are just oil in the follicle, and follicles are connected to oil glands. When these glands are functioning a little too well and producing more oil than usual, follicles can get clogged and form SFs.
Don't worry, even though SFs may not permanently go away, you can reduce their appearance. Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) and Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are the main ingredients to look for in products for treatment. Salicyclic acid is one example of a BHA and is great for dissolving oil. Glycolic acis is an AHA that penetrates more effectively than other AHAs.
Remember to patch test and only introduce one product at a time. BHAs and AHAs can be drying so always moisturize! Even more important: have patience. Healthy skin is a process and rushing it can have bad consequences.