Small, flesh-coloured acne papules are called comedones. They often start on the chin and forehead. These bumps are commonly seen in acne patients.
The two types of comedonal acne that are most prevalent are blackheads and whiteheads. Whiteheads have “closed” comedones, but blackheads have “open” comedones.
Microcomedones, a comedone, may not be apparent to the naked eye. On the other hand, it is also possible to develop larger-than-average whiteheads (macro comedones) and blackheads (giant comedones).
Continue reading to learn more about comedonal acne, your treatment choices, and other topics.
How does comedone acne appear?
Blackheads have an open chin. The melanin pigment in the sebum produced by our oil glands oxidizes and darkens when it comes into touch with air at the top of an open comedone. Blackheads seem dark because of this. Conversely, whiteheads have closed surfaces. They resemble little flesh- or white-coloured specks.
To the touch, comedones of all varieties feel rough. On your chin and forehead, comedonal acne is most typical.
Who is susceptible to comedonal acne, and what causes it?
Hair follicles that are entrapped are what often create blackheads and whiteheads.
Normal surface skin cell shedding allows for the formation of new skin cells. Dead skin cells may sometimes get lodged in the hair follicles. A clog may develop when mixed with the sebum (natural oils) in your pores.
Adults with oily skin are more likely to get this form of acne. Additionally, it occurs more often among smokers.
The following are additional comedonal acne risk factors:
- A diet with a high dairy intake and plenty of fats and sweets
- Excessive hydration of the skin, frequently caused by improper moisturizing
- Extreme humidity
- Follicular damage from “picking” skin or popping comedones might result in laser treatment or chemical peels.
What kind of therapies are offered?
Reaching the cause, excess sebum production from the sebaceous glands is crucial to preventing comedonal acne because of this, over-the-counter (OTC) treatments may not effectively eradicate comedonal acne permanently.
Have a discussion with your doctor about the following possibilities. Avoid picking at the acne in the meantime. This will exacerbate it and leave scars in its wake.
Topicals
Topical therapies are administered directly to the face to reduce excessive sebum and clear existing comedones.
Typical choices include:
- Azelaic acid
- Glycolic acid
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Salicylic acid
- Vitamins
- Sulphur
You should wear sunscreen daily while taking topicals, particularly acids and retinoids. These potent procedures also remove the epidermis, leaving you more susceptible to sunburn. Make sure the product you purchase has an SPF of 30 or higher.
Medications
OTC topicals are a decent place to start when treating acne, but they don’t always work. You may need to contact your doctor for a topical or oral treatment with a prescription strength.
They could suggest:
Oral Contraceptives And Antibiotics
The anti-androgen drug combination of isotretinoin (Accutane) and spironolactone (Aldactone) is sometimes used to regulate sebum production in women.
Prescription drugs, including topicals, might increase your chance of becoming sunburned. Therefore, it’s crucial to use sunscreen every day. A product with an SPF of 30 or more is recommended.
Surgical Procedures
Surgery may be required if topicals and drugs cannot control severe comedonal acne breakouts. These kinds of therapy may also help recurring comedones. For example, comedonal acne lesions are opened and removed during surgery for acne using needles and tiny blades.
Additionally, your doctor could advise microdermabrasion. To do this, a machine will either brush a diamond-tipped wand over your skin or blast tiny crystals onto your skin to remove the top layer of skin. Comedones may be opened and removed with this. It could also aid in healing any associated scars.
Another surgical possibility is cryotherapy. Your healthcare practitioner will treat the comedones with liquid nitrogen during the operation. For removal, this freezes them.
What Herbal Treatments Are Offered?
All forms of acne, including comedones, are being studied increasingly using natural remedies. These, however, take a different treatment strategy than what your doctor has authorized.
Discuss your alternatives for natural treatment and how to use these cures as complementary therapy with your healthcare physician or dermatologist.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is used in alternative medicine to treat several skin conditions. It is praised for fighting infections as well as inflammation. Tea tree oil may relax the skin and reduce sebum, assisting comedonal acne. At your neighbourhood pharmacy, you should be able to get moisturizers and spot treatments that contain the oil.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel works as a natural astringent to balance the moisture in your skin. Additionally, it has the advantage of opening closed comedones. This may assist in removing trash and grime that has been stuck.
Up to twice a day, use witch hazel instead of your regular astringent.
Clay Or Charcoal Masks
Clay and charcoal masks are more effective than other treatments for comedonal acne because they assist in drying up stored sebum in your pores. The eradication of blackheads is facilitated by their assistance in removing entrapped debris and skin cells.
Can changing your lifestyle be beneficial?
Trying to avoid comedonal acne entirely is the best course of action. Your lifestyle choices complement any therapies your healthcare practitioner advises.
Skincare Items
Creamy or gel cleansers remove oil and grime from acne-prone skin the best. A water-based moisturizer is the best. Look for lotions designed for combination with oily skin if you have comedones.
Make sure your makeup is non-comedogenic if you wear it so your pores won’t be clogged. Wear sunscreen-containing foundation as an added benefit, mainly if using retinoids or acid-based peels.
Tips For General Skincare
Every morning and night, you should cleanse and moisturize your skin. You should include the following additional advice in your everyday routine:
- Wash your face in gentle circular strokes for at least 30 seconds. No scraping at all!
- Apply witch hazel or an over-the-counter toner afterwards.
- Before using sunscreen and makeup, let your moisturizer dry.
- After working out throughout the day, wash your face.
- Never wear makeup to bed since this might cause your pores to retain extra oil.
- Use a pre-cleanser to get rid of grease, makeup, and sunscreen.
Nutrition And Exercise
It’s also beneficial to think about how to manage comedonal acne internally. Diet and exercise may aid you in this situation.
You should limit your dairy products, added sugars, and fat intake. According to some sources, these chemicals worsen comedones’ underlying inflammation cause. Avoiding processed meals and sugary drinks is the most straightforward approach to do this.
You can go right with plant-based diets for healthy skin. These include plenty of antioxidants, which may reduce inflammation and free radicals. These outcomes are also possible with regular exercise.
What is the prognosis?
It may be challenging to cure comedonal acne alone, so consulting a healthcare professional is essential.
Additionally, while treating any inflammatory acne, patience is essential. A new therapy may take many months to show results on your skin.
Keep in mind that comedonal acne needs long-term care and therapy. There is always a chance of developing new comedones due to overactive sebaceous glands.