Closed comedones

Why closed comedones appear on the face, how to deal with them and how to care for problem skin – we will talk about all this right now.

What are closed comedones

Black dots, blackheads, pustules, nodules, sebaceous plugs and subcutaneous pimples are all manifestations of acne, or acne. It doesn’t sound very nice, and it looks the same. Imperfections cause a lot of trouble, ranging from purely physical inconvenience to real psychological problems.

To understand what closed comedones are, let’s first understand what acne is. According to the conventional wisdom, this is a chronic skin disease, which in most cases manifests itself during puberty. However, in fairness, it should be noted that acne in adults is not so uncommon.

How acne develops: first a pimple pops up, then another, and then a little personal hell begins and a constant struggle with it. But this is the outer side of the issue.

From the inside, everything looks like in a sci-fi movie. In the sebaceous glands, the secretion of sebum increases, in parallel, hyperkeratosis is formed (cells of the stratum corneum accumulate). All this entails a chain reaction: the outflow of sebum (sebum) is disturbed, the ducts of the sebaceous glands are clogged (the cells of the stratum corneum do not have time to exfoliate), the inflammatory process begins in the sebaceous glands. This is how acne occurs. They are also comedones.

Read more about open comedones here. Let us dwell on the closed ones and try to find out whether they can be removed.

Closed comedones – these are the mouths of the ducts of the sebaceous glands, filled with dead skin cells and sebum, which are not able to go outside. Usually a closed comedone is white. If the skin is prone to the appearance of such imperfections, it is important to pay special attention to cleansing the pores. But if the moment is missed, then the closed comedone becomes inflamed: first it turns red, and then it transforms into painful pustules filled with pus.
Check if you cleanse your skin properly.

Where do comedones most often appear?

The chin, cheekbones, forehead are favorite places for the appearance of comedones.

A favorite location for closed white comedones is the area around the nose and mouth. This is understandable, because it is here that most of the sebaceous glands.

In addition, the negative impact of the environment affects the skin condition in a bad way: polluted air of cities, aggressive sun, hard tap water. Common areas of rashes also include:

  • forehead.

  • checks;

  • chin;

  • hairline;

  • back and chest.

Causes of closed comedones on the face

The factors provoking the appearance of comedones include sweets.

If we talk about the reasons for the appearance of subcutaneous acne (and comedones are intradermal elements), then there are several of them, and they are all connected in one way or another. Let’s consider them in more detail.

Hormonal factor

  • The appearance of closed comedones in adolescents is associated with an increase in the blood of male sex hormones androgens – as a result, the sebaceous glands sensitive to them increase in size and begin to produce more sebum.

  • Women during pregnancy and menopause are also at risk due to hormonal changes.

Anatomical factor

There is evidence that in those who suffer from acne, the sebaceous ducts on the hairless parts of the body, namely on the face and back, are thinner, longer and more tortuous than those who are not familiar with this problem. This anatomical feature creates the prerequisites for stagnation of sebum, which stretches the duct of the sebaceous gland instead of pouring out.

Stress

It is known that the stress hormone cortisol provokes increased production of sebum and, as a result, clogged pores. That is why, and not just according to the law of meanness, closed comedones on the nose, chin, forehead and cheeks can occur on the eve of an important date or interview.

Improper diet

The main condition in the fight against closed comedones in particular and acne in general is to establish a healthy diet as soon as possible. The main provocateurs of acne are flour, sweet, smoked, very salty or spicy, as well as alcohol and coffee. Such products are not only unhealthy for the body as a whole, but also undesirable for the skin, especially with acne. They trigger the active work of the sebaceous glands, as a result of which closed and open comedones may appear.

Wrong cosmetic care

Excessive consumption of alcohol-based products, frequent washing with hot water and the use of aggressive cleansing methods can all contribute to the deterioration of the appearance and condition of oily problem skin, as it contributes to its dehydration, and dehydrated skin begins to produce more sebum as a response.

Treatment with retinoids and antibiotics also contributes to dry skin. If you are taking these medications, you need a well-chosen, preferably with the help of a dermatologist, daily care.

Bad habits

Watch your hands! The habit of touching your face during the day with or without reason is one of the reasons for the appearance of closed comedones on the chin and cheeks. Alcohol and cigarettes are also considered potential triggers for acne on the face.

How to get rid of closed comedones

Sometimes closed comedones are fairly easy to get rid of if done right. Below are the main methods of dealing with them.

Salon procedures

Many clinics and beauty salons offer the most advanced and effective procedures for not only treating but also preventing acne. If time and money allow, it is worth looking at procedures such as mechanical cleaning, laser cleaning, chemical peeling. We will discuss them in more detail a little later.

Cosmetical tools

For oily problematic skin, there are many products that keep acne under control. In order for the effect of their use to be, as they say, obvious, when choosing cosmetics, it makes sense to take into account such parameters as:

  • skin type;

  • composition of the product;

  • additional functions of the product (moisturizing, nourishing, matting).

Our test will help you determine your skin type.

Home recipes

The craze for homemade masks, creams and lotions has reached its peak today. Of course, it’s great that you can make an acne remedy from what you have in the refrigerator. But let’s be realistic: not a single home mask guarantees complete elimination of imperfections and even more so safety for the skin. Therefore, when using homemade recipes, use common sense.

Salon treatments against comedones

The main prevention of comedones is regular cleaning by a beautician.

As we have already said, beauty salons and clinics offer a range of treatments to combat acne and to prevent it. Which of them are worth paying attention to? We at Healthy-Food have compiled a short list.

Mechanical cleaning

The procedure is considered very effective. The face is cleaned of makeup and everyday impurities, steamed and with the help of hands or a special uno spoon, clogged pores are released from sebum. It should be warned that the procedure done by a professional is much easier to tolerate, although it is quite painful.

The presence of pustules and active inflammation on the face is a contraindication for any manipulations with the face.

Laser cleaning

Laser techniques are effective in principle, but we dare to assume that they are not used so often for cleaning pores.

Chemical peeling

Chemical peeling is an effective procedure for problematic and oily skin with closed comedones. Acids exfoliate, have an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, thereby narrowing the pores. Usually a mix of several acids is used: glycolic, lactic, salicylic, mandelic, pyruvic, etc.

Overview of cosmetic products for problem skin care

In order to prevent closed comedones, you should take care of special cosmetics. Guidelines for choosing it are the type of skin and existing problems.

Corrective care against imperfections 24 hours moisturizing Normaderm, Vichy

The formula with salicylic acid and other active ingredients not only reduces oily sheen and moisturizes the skin, but also fights against its imperfections.

Purifying face tonic “Clean skin” against blackheads and oily sheen for combination and oily skin, Garnier

The composition of the tonic includes salicylic acid and zinc, which perfectly narrows the pores. The tonic is suitable for skin prone to imperfections.

Mineral peeling mask “Double Radiance”, Vichy

The action of the mask is based on the principles of mechanical and chemical peeling. The formula contains exfoliating particles and AHA acids that have an exfoliating effect.

Serum for facial skin against imperfections and signs of aging Blemish & Age Defense, SkinCeuticals

Reduces oiliness of the skin, reduces imperfections and at the same time reduces the appearance of signs of aging – just right for those whose acne has “grown up” with them.

Corrective care double action Normaderm Phytosolution, Vichy

The formula combines the action of salicylic acid, bifidus probiotic, which strengthens the protective barrier, and hyaluronic acid. Suitable for problematic skin, not only reduces imperfections, but also moisturizes dry areas of the skin.

Home recipes

We repeat: any folk recipes should be approached soberly and without fanaticism. Sometimes the most innocuous ingredient can cause a lot of trouble with the skin.

To avoid unpleasant situations, we recommend using cosmetics from certified manufacturers for care. But for those who have a special passion for homemade masks, we have chosen a couple of simple recipes.

Green clay and honey mask

Mix 2 tablespoons of clay, the same amount of water and add 1 teaspoon of honey. Apply to face, avoiding eye area. Exposure time – 15 minutes. It is important not to let the mask dry completely. Rinse off the mixture with warm water using a sponge. Moisturize your face with cream. Recognizing all the beneficial properties of honey, we still recall that it is a strong allergen.

Oatmeal mask with banana

You will need a glass of rolled oats, 1 teaspoon of salt, half a banana and warm water. Grind the flakes into flour, add salt, mashed banana and dilute with water to the consistency of thick sour cream. Apply the mass with massage movements on the face and neck. Rinse off the mask and apply a moisturizer.

How to avoid comedones

Acne, or comedones, is a very unpleasant phenomenon. In order to minimize the number of imperfections, and, most importantly, prevent the appearance of new ones, we advise you to take a more careful approach to daily care and, knowing your predisposition to acne, take preventive measures on a regular basis.

  • Visit a beautician for skin cleansing. This should be done during periods of absence of active inflammatory elements.

  • To cleanse the skin, use mild products designed specifically for problem skin.

  • Once a week, make clay-based cleansing masks.

  • Apply exfoliants to the skin a couple of times a week.

  • Choose a day / night moisturizing treatment designed for problem skin. These products are designed to both moisturize and control comedones.

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