Secrets About Closed Comedones That Nobody Will Tell You

Closed comedones (whiteheads) are non-inflamed skin lesions that develop when oil and skin debris clog skin pores. In order to assist remove the clog and enhance your look, they may be treated with over-the-counter or prescription lotions as well as physical extraction.

This page describes the signs and causes of closed comedones as well as safe and efficient treatments.

Closed Comedone Symptoms

Closed comedones have the appearance of little bumps on the skin’s surface. They aren’t swollen or red. Instead, they are more often the same shade as the nearby skin. As the underlying plug stretches the skin above certain whiteheads, a true white head may form.

Closed comedones may appear anywhere on the skin, although they most often do so on the face, neck, chest, and back because of the high density of sebaceous glands (which create sebum).

Open comedones, or blackheads, on the other hand, appear when the plug penetrates the follicle’s opening. The plug oxidizes when it is exposed to air, becoming black as a result of oxygen.

In the same region of skin, closed and open comedones may coexist (and often do).

Risk Factors And The Causes

Comedones develop when natural skin oils (sebum) and dead skin cells (keratinocytes) combine and plug hair follicle pores in the skin.

When the plug is covered by the skin above it, a closed comedone forms, resulting in non-inflamed whiteheads. Closed comedones may develop into inflammatory, pus-filled pimples (pustules) if germs enter the follicle or the follicle wall tears.

Comedones are more prone to appear on certain individuals than others. Certain individuals are known to have a higher chance of developing comedones and acne due to factors including age, biological sex, lifestyle, and heredity.

Comedonal acne is the term used to describe comedones that are persistent. The phrase is used because acne vulgaris, the most prevalent kind of acne, is more prone to develop in patients with persistent comedones.

Comedones And Hormones

Increases in testosterone, a hormone associated with male sex that among other things stimulates sebum production, have an impact on comedones. On the other hand, variations in the female sex hormone estrogen may result in testosterone imbalances that similarly boost sebum production.

Comedones are more prevalent in tweens and adolescents because of the surge in sex hormones.

At the same time, comedones may appear because of variations in estrogen levels during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, as well as when individuals take drugs like anabolic steroids, which reduce testosterone synthesis.

Comedones and comedonal acne may also be brought on by other causes, such as:

• Soaps and skin care products that are harsh or abrasive
• Excessive usage of moisturizers or humidity in the environment causes over hydrated skin.
• Propylene glycol or isopropyl myristate-based cosmetics
• Greasy pomade, hair gel
• Sugar, saturated fat, and dairy-heavy diets
• Smoking cigarettes

Traditional Medicine

Although closed comedones might be inconvenient, they are treatable. Before contemplating prescription medications if you have small bumps and breakouts, try an over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatment.

Nonprescription Medicines

Acne creams, gels, and ointments available over-the-counter that include benzoyl peroxide, adapalene (0.1 differin gel), salicylic acid, or glycolic acid may hasten the exfoliation of dead skin cells and aid in removing surplus sebum from the skin. This may prevent pores from clogging.

Products sold over the counter may take some time to function. Before there is a noticeable change, it may take eight weeks.

Medications on Prescription

You may wish to contact a dermatologist for prescription treatment if you have more than a few closed comedones or if you’ve been struggling with them for a while.

The first treatment that your dermatologist would probably recommend is topical retinoids. Options consist of: 

• Tretinoin
• Adapalene-based Differin 0.3
• Tazarotene

These vitamin A-based drugs aid in pore clearing and prevent the development of new ones. They also offer the additional advantage of making the skin softer and smoother.

Azelaic acid is a topical antiseptic that your dermatologist could also suggest (you can also get it over-the-counter, depending on the %). For females with comedonal acne, birth control tablets might be helpful.

Manual Extraction

The only people who should do blemish extractions are a dermatologist or esthetician. They aid to smooth out rough skin. This is particularly true considering that whiteheads may be difficult to eliminate since they are buried under the skin. Squeezing them or harshly handling them might result in bleeding and scars.

To remove the plug, dermatologists and estheticians will use their fingers and a unique instrument called a comedonal extractor.

While extractions might make your skin seem better, they cannot prevent the development of closed comedones. Treatment will still be required to stop them from returning.

How to Treat Closed Comedones Naturally

Some individuals may choose natural therapies to prevent or cure comedones rather than harsh chemicals that might be applied to their skin.

Even though the evidence for these items is often scant, many individuals cling to such all-natural topical medicines as:

• Aloe vera
• Tea tree oil
• Honey
• Ginseng supplement
• Witch hazel

Safety First

Any natural skin treatment should be tested on a small patch of skin first, and any reactions should be observed after an hour or two (or even overnight). Keep in mind that a product’s natural status does not guarantee that all consumers will find it safe.

Summary

Whiteheads or closed comedones are microscopic lumps on your skin. They are brought on by the clogging of skin pores by natural oils and dead skin cells.

Acne over-the-counter medicines may be used to treat closed comedones. A dermatologist may recommend topical treatments to assist treat comedones and prevent their recurrence if symptoms are severe. To make your skin seem smoother, a dermatologist or esthetician may physically remove them.