The doctor dispelled myths about the need to remove sebaceous filaments

Sebaceous filaments, which are often talked about in the context of skin care, are a popular phenomenon. Small grayish or yellowish dots in most cases are sebaceous filaments, also known as phyllomas. Ekaterina Vasilyeva, Candidate of Medical Sciences, dermatovenerologist, cosmetologist, trichologist, founder and chief physician of Artleo Clinic, told Izvestia about this on December 2.

"Sebaceous filaments are a mixture of dead skin cells, sebum, and bacteria. Inside each pore there is a hair follicle and a sebaceous gland that produces sebum, which is necessary to protect and moisturize the skin. Sebaceous filaments are not dirt and are not a sign of poor hygiene. They naturally fill the pores and help to evenly distribute sebum from the gland to the skin surface, performing an important function," she noted.

Despite the fact that sebaceous filaments and black dots (or open comedones) may look similar, there are significant differences between them. Sebaceous filaments tend to have a grayish-yellow or translucent color, while black dots look like pronounced black dots. The sebaceous filaments are soft and almost jelly-like in structure, they easily come out, while the black dots are more dense and "stuck" in the pore. The reason for the appearance of sebaceous filaments is the natural process of the sebaceous gland, while black dots occur due to clogging of pores with oxidized sebum and keratin.

"The question of whether to remove sebaceous filaments often causes discussions. The short answer to it is: no, you don't need to. Sebaceous filaments are a normal part of your skin's anatomy, and they are constantly being renewed. It is impossible to completely get rid of them, and it is not necessary, because they perform an important moisturizing function," the specialist shared.

Aggressive removal of sebaceous filaments can lead to negative consequences. Mechanical extrusion can injure the pores, which will lead to their enlargement over time. In addition, creating a void in the pore can cause the body to produce even more sebum, which will lead to a rapid return of sebaceous filaments. There is also a risk of inflammation if dirty hands or excessive pressure damage the skin, which can lead to the formation of inflamed pimples. In some cases, it can even cause rosacea and vascular asterisks.

"Instead of trying to remove them, it's better to focus on controlling and minimizing their manifestations. Proper care will help make the pores less visible and improve the overall condition of the skin. First of all, it is important to follow the double cleansing regime. The first stage involves the use of oil or hydrophilic oil, which effectively dissolve excess sebum and stubborn makeup. The second stage is the use of a gentle gel or face wash foam with acids such as salicylic acid or mandelic acid to deeply cleanse the pores," Vasilyeva advised.

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Regular use of acids such as salicylic acid (BHA) and glycolic acid or almond acid (AHA) will also help with skin care. Salicylic acid penetrates the pores, dissolves excess sebum and dead cells, while glycolic and mandelic acids work on the skin surface, smoothing the relief and brightening the pore mouths. These acids can be used as tonics, serums, or peels once or three times a week.

Retinol is another important component of skin care. It is the gold standard that accelerates cellular renewal, prevents clogging of pores and significantly reduces their visibility during prolonged use. Clay masks applied once or twice a week can also help. Masks with kaolin or bentonite gently absorb excess fat and help to "pull" the contents of the pores to the surface, they should be applied only to problem areas.

"Don't forget about the importance of hydration. Dehydrated skin can produce more sebum to compensate, so it is necessary to use light, non-comedogenic moisturizers such as gels or fluids. This will help maintain the moisture balance in the skin," the doctor said.

Facial cleansing by a cosmetologist, performed with sterile instruments, will help to effectively remove sebaceous filaments. Chemical peels such as salicylic or almond peels can also help to renew the skin and deeply cleanse the pores. Hydro vacuum cleaning is another procedure that uses special equipment to dilute the contents of the pores and facilitate their removal.

Razbezhkina told on November 27 how to protect the skin from dryness in the winter season. She recommended actively moisturizing the skin, as well as using peels, since autumn, winter and early spring are the right time for such procedures.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.