Closed comedones also called (Whiteheads) are tiny, skin colored or whitish bumps which develop when a build-up of oil and dead cells gets stuck beneath a closed layer of the skin. They differ from a common pimple in the sense that they do not normally become inflamed or come to a head. Instead, they simply remain buried under the skin and are barely noticeable except for the rough texture of the skin at that point.
If you have been trying to pop these bumps on your forehead or jaw by squeezing, only to find out that they do not behave like regular pimples, then you have found the right article because they are of a different nature and thus require a unique approach.
Closed comedones become very common especially in areas such as Multan and South Punjab due to several factors.
What causes closed comedones?
Oil and dead skin cells are produced by your skin in your pores. Normally, the combination is supposed to secrete out of your pore, but when the buildup of dead skin occurs at a rate that is faster than its shedding, then hyperkeratinization takes place, leading to the formation of a closed comedone.
There are several reasons for this, depending on the surrounding environment:
• Comedogenic oils (such as mustard oil and coconut oil that come into contact with the forehead or hairline)
• Occlusive or thick makeup worn for extended periods of time
• Sweat left on your skin after spending time in hot weather conditions
• Over-exfoliation that damages your skin barrier and makes your skin prone to retaining oil instead of removing it
Why closed comedones appear in specific facial zones
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1. Forehead and Hairline
There is friction and oiling due to the use of hair oils, sweat dripping from the scalp, the bangs lying on the skin surface, and the use of helmet straps – all these factors cause the accumulation of oil and therefore closed comedones in this place.
2. Jawline and Chin
This zone is heavily affected by hormonal changes, primarily those occurring during the menstrual cycle. The addition of the frequent touching of the chin with hands, various chin creams, and other cosmetic products makes this area vulnerable to comedones.
3. Cheeks and Middle Part of the Face
This is an area where the improper cleaning procedure takes place (insufficient washing off of the sunscreen cream and makeup), there is the contact with the mobile phone screen when talking, and often dirty pillowcases.
The danger of DIY extraction: why squeezing causes permanent scars
It is natural for people to try to squeeze closed comedones the same way they do regular pimples. Do not! The enclosed contents will not come out as a result of your squeezing or even by using a metallic comedone extractor because the bump is enclosed within intact skin. Consequently, you will end up with ruptured follicle wall located below the skin.
As the follicle wall bursts, the contents are released to the dermal tissues surrounding it and lead to genuine inflammation of the dermis. In such a way, the harmless closed comedone transforms into post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a dark spot after healing, or even into an acne scar of a rolling, icepick, or boxcar kind.
Squeezing or picking at closed comedones damages the dermal wall and may result in formation of depressed rolling scars. For more information on texture left after acne, see our Scar Subcision Treatment and Radiofrequency Microneedling pages.
Effective home care and topical active ingredients
The application of effective active components ensures gradual dissolution of closed comedones without any risk of dark spots and scarring due to picking or squeezing:
- Salicylic acid (BHA): As it is oil-soluble, it acts deep in the pores and dissolves the mixture of sebum and dead cells.
- Glycolic acid or lactic acid (AHA): This component acts directly on the skin’s surface and breaks down the bond of dead cells blocking the opening of the pore.
- Retinoid topical drugs (adapalene, tretinoin): These active ingredients normalize the cell turnover process in order to treat the problem and prevent its recurrence.
It is important to use such active ingredients together with a mild cleanser and gel-type moisturizer.
You should also switch to a huamznie regimen in terms of using a mild cleanser, because the use of rich creams and oils contradicts the effect of your active ingredients.
In-clinic treatments at Skinology Multan
Home care really works, but for extensive closed comedones that are deeply embedded, or do not react after a few months, a more aggressive treatment is required.
The deep cleansing of pores and smoothing out the skin texture will be provided by the exfoliating procedure and personalized Acne Scar Treatment in Multan that unclogs the clogged pores and restores the structure of collagen.
The two in-clinic methods widely utilized by Skinology for treatment of closed comedones are:
• Medical chemical peeling using salicylic or mandelic acid peeling
• Medical HydraFacial combined with sterile extraction of comedones
Still seeing bumps after weeks of trying?
If your closed comedones aren’t clearing with home care, or you’re already dealing with the dark marks or texture left behind from past picking, a proper skin assessment can tell you what’s actually going on underneath. Book a consultation with Dr. Rizwana Hanif at Skinology Multan.