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BLACKHEADS vs WHITE HEAD vs SEBACEOUS FILAMENTS

by Claudia Christin on Mar 29, 2024

Facts about Sebaceous Filaments 


Have you ever noticed a dark dot on your pores, looking like the head of a pin? But sometimes… the color of it is a little bit yellowish, gray, or clear. Did it confuse you and did you think it was blackheads? Have you ever tried plucking it but failed? or does it just come back a day later?


Although it may look like a blackhead, those are actually sebaceous filaments. It is a thin, hair-like structure that lines the inside of the pore and helps sebum travel to the skin’s surface. It helps oil to “escape” from the pores. Most of it has no plugs, thus making it almost impossible to pluck it.


Whitehead

 Blackhead 

 Sebaceous Filaments 

What is it?

 A type of mild acne  that is caused by obstruction of oil flow caused by a plug of dead skin cells

 A type of acne  that is caused due to clogged pores and oxidized sebum plug

Oil-distributing pore-lining that is part of our  skin’s natural composition 

Appearance and color

Skin-colored bumps

Black-dotted bumps

Thin-hair-like structure with a grey or yellowish color

Texture

Raised bumps

Raised bumps

Pin-like dots

Location

Anywhere on the face

Anywhere on the face

Nose, chin, forehead, cheeks

Causes

Clogged hair follicles, sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria that are covered by our skin

Clogged hair follicles, sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria that are exposed and oxidized 

Excess natural oil production

Professional Help

Dermatologist consultation for severe or persistent cases

Usually not required

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Skingredients: Rice for glowing skin

What causes sebaceous filaments to appear?


Everyone has sebaceous filaments, it just doesn’t appear noticeably on everyone’s skin. However, some of our friends with oilier skin and larger pores are more prone to have their sebaceous filaments become visible. This is because of our skin’s normal process of producing sebum. Oilier skin types produce more sebum, hence it’s more likely for them to have visible sebaceous filaments.



Skingredients: Rice for glowing skin

Exfoliation Tips for each:

Note:

Sebaceous filaments do not have to be extracted/get rid of. It is best to leave them as they are unless you want to risk harming your skin. Although sometimes it does shed off from our pores when we exfoliate our skin, it will soon fill up the pores again. However, it is important to maintain them so the excess sebum won’t further clog your pores and lead to blackheads.


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