Comedones: symptoms, causes and treatment
Comedones are an accumulation of keratin (cellular material) and lipids (fats) at the outlet of the hair follicle.
There are two types of comedones:
- closed comedones, or whiteheads;
- open comedones, or blackheads.
What are whiteheads?
Whiteheads are small bumps in the skin filled with keratin, sebum and bacteria. Whiteheads are caused by overactive sebaceous glands.
What are blackheads?
Whiteheads are full of sebum, keratin and bacteria. When they open and come into contact with the air, blackheads form. Blackheads usually appear on the face, particularly on the nose and cheeks.
What causes comedones?
Comedones are caused by both internal factors, such as hormonal hyperstimulus, and external factors, such as the daily use of cosmetics that block the hair follicles with hair, sebum and sweat. Whatever the cause, comedones are the result of a mixture of biological and chemical substances that accumulate on the skin’s surface and that cannot be removed through normal cleansing. Particularly in puberty and into early adulthood, some people are more prone to comedones appearing on the face and trunk, which are rich in sebaceous glands. Such cases are referred to as comedogenic or asphyxiated skin, and are often linked to acne-like folliculitis. Whether folliculitis appears or not, comedogenic skin remains an aesthetic disorder.
How to eliminate comedones
To eliminate comedones, use Glicosal Lotion for micropeeling treatment. Thanks to small but powerful concentrations of glycolic and salicylic acids, Glicosal Lotion exfoliates the skin, promoting cell turnover without causing skin irritation. During treatment, whiteheads and blackheads will first become superficial, before dissolving through peeling (desquamation).
- Every evening, put a small amount of Glicosal Lotion onto a cotton pad and apply it gently all over the face, paying particular attention to areas affected by comedones.
Use the gentle, non-foaming Eudermic Cleansing Base as both a make-up remover and cleanser.
For breathable makeup, use Argillina Skin Color mineral foundation and Sun Clay compact powder.
During the micropeeling treatment, avoid the use of classic moisturizers and foundations as they do not let the skin breathe.
Many people try to clean comedogenic skin by squeezing whiteheads or blackheads. However, comedones are located deep within the follicle and therefore squeezing them is not recommended, as it results in a short-lived solution that can actually worsen the situation in the long run.
Recommended products:
SUN CLAY
