Dermatologists weigh in on how to make sebaceous filaments less noticeable.
Go ahead and take that in.
What Are Sebaceous Filaments?
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Sebaceous filaments are less intense than they sound.
You have sebaceous glands in your skin that produce sebum, aka oil.
(Filament is a fancy word for a threadlike material.)
Sebaceous filaments clog up the pore, but don’t picture them as an impervious roadblock.
They’re porous, sooil can pass through themto reach the surface of your skin.
“Sebaceous filaments are a natural, normal process,” she says.
On the surface, they look similar to blackheads at first glancebut they’re different.
Up close, sebaceous filaments are more yellowish or gray.
There’s no risk in having them.
“They’re more of a cosmetic thing,” says Dr. Robinson.
As with blackheads, exfoliation is key.
If you’re noticing sebaceous filaments on your nose, you’ve got the option to spot treat.
Disclaimer: Going from zero to 60 can backfire.
“There are two reasons you don’t want to over-exfoliate,” says Dr. Garshick.
“I advise against trying to extract them yourself at home,” says Dr. Robinson.
Plus, removing sebaceous filaments is a very temporary fixthey’ll be back within a day or two.
Then, as maintenance, tailor your skin-care routine to maintain balance when it comes to oil production.
