In this article:
What are sebaceous filaments?
Do sebaceous filaments turn into blackheads?
Where are sebaceous filaments often found?
What causes sebaceous filaments?
Can you get rid of sebaceous filaments?
How to treat sebaceous filaments
How to clean sebaceous filaments
Should you squeeze sebaceous filaments?
Do pore strips remove sebaceous filaments?
If you’re seeing small spots on your nose, cheeks or chin, you might think you’re dealing with blackheads. However, you might be experiencing something else entirely: sebaceous filaments.
Blackheads and sebaceous filaments are easily confused because they typically appear in the same parts of the face. They can look similar, too, but they are indeed different. Below, we explain what sebaceous filaments are and the best ways to treat these blackhead look-alikes.
What are sebaceous filaments?
Sebaceous filaments are naturally occurring hair-like formations that have a special job: They channel the flow of oil along the lining of the pores in which they reside.
These filaments are a natural part of skin’s follicle (pore) structure and everyone has them. However, if your skin is oily or if your pores are large and prone to clogging, you’re more likely to notice them. A sebaceous filament becomes visible as the lining of your pore fills up with sebum, more commonly known as oil (1).
Do sebaceous filaments turn into blackheads?
A sebaceous filament may or may not turn into a blackhead—the determining factor is whether the sebum in the pore lining becomes exposed to oxygen (thereby oxidising and becoming dark, changing into a blackhead). So, what starts as a sebaceous filament can turn into a blackhead!
Where are sebaceous filaments often found?
Sebaceous filaments typically show up in the same spots as blackheads – the tip of the nose, cheeks, or chin. To tell the two apart, look closely. Do you see small, pin-like dots on the surface of the pore? If the dots are quite dark, you’re looking at blackheads. If they have a clear-ish tone, or a gray or yellow tinge, what you’re likely seeing are sebaceous filaments.
Another difference is that blackheads have a plug-like appearance when extracted, whereas sebaceous filaments more closely resemble a free-flowing column of wax-like sebum (resembling a tiny strand of hair) as they’re squeezed out (2).
What causes sebaceous filaments?
While everyone has sebaceous filaments, not everyone has ones that are prominent or enlarged. There are several reasons why sebaceous filaments can become more noticeable, among them (3):
- Unprotected sun exposure: among the many bad things sun damage can do to skin is enlarge pores.
- Genetics: oily skin often involves a genetic component, and those with oily skin tend to have more visible sebaceous filaments.
- Age: as we age, skin begins to lose its structural support, resulting sometimes in very enlarged, stretched pores known as orange peel skin.
Can you get rid of sebaceous filaments?
Truth be told, you can never completely get rid of sebaceous filaments. You can extract them, but they’ll come back shortly thereafter, usually around 30 days or less for those with very oily skin. They’re something everyone has, and most people won’t notice them anyway. And, with utmost sincerity, since we’ve been there: no one’s looking at your pores as closely as you are. We’re our own worst critics!
How to treat sebaceous filaments
Although sebaceous filaments are a natural part of skin, they can contribute to clogged and enlarged pores. Wondering what to use for sebaceous filaments? Regular use of a BHA (beta hydroxy acid) exfoliant for sebaceous filaments can really help because BHA is oil-soluble and can thin and dissolve thickened sebum and other substances crowding the pore lining, letting them flow to skin’s surface.
How to clean sebaceous filaments
While having dirty skin isn’t a cause of having sebaceous filaments (or blackheads), keeping skin clean is the foundation of every good skin care routine, including a sebaceous filament skin care routine.
Most important is using a pore-normalising cleanser to gently whisk away dirt, oil and debris. Using a gentle cleanser is critical, since harsh, sensitising ingredients can increase skin’s oil production and dehydrate its surface. As mentioned, the oil-soluble nature of a BHA exfoliant allows for the proper flow of sebum, which also helps in this regard.
Should you squeeze sebaceous filaments?
If your sebaceous filaments are prominent, you can extract them – but take care to do it as gently as possible. Overly aggressive squeezing can cause irritation and draw more attention to those areas of your face, the exact opposite of what you want. The rules for extracting sebaceous filaments are the same as for popping a pimple, so we recommend using our step-by-step guide for the best way to squeeze sebaceous filaments.
Also, it’s worth noting – even if you squeeze a sebaceous filament to where you can’t see it anymore, your skin’s normal oil production will cause your pores to fill back up in about a month, so consider this when you’re deciding whether to squeeze (4)!
Do pore strips remove sebaceous filaments?
While pore strips can temporarily make some sebaceous filaments appear less noticeable, it’s a short-term fix. Pore strips can irritate skin as well, so a gentle, well-formulated skin care routine featuring the best sebaceous filaments products is a better, more long-term solution for both sebaceous filaments and blackheads.
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References for this information:
- British Journal of Dermatology, November 2006, pages 890–894
- Cleveland Clinic, Website, Accessed April 2024
- ICliniq, Website, Accessed April 2024
- Archives of Dermatological Research, March 1976, pages 9–21
