How to treat open comedones on the face. How and with what to cure comedones at home? Treatment with laser

Every girl wants to be beautiful. In order to achieve smooth, beautiful and velvety skin, we spend a lot of money on various products and procedures.

The most hated problem right now is black dots, which also have a name - comedones.

Agree, black dots do not look aesthetically pleasing on the face and cause negative emotions in others. If acne can be dealt with in a few weeks, then with a problem such as comedones, it's very difficult to fight.

Despite the fact that no magical and effective method has been invented, there are some secrets to fight comedones. Let's consider some of them.

Reasons for the appearance

Identify the main cause of comedones - impossible.

Their formation goes deep into the structure of the skin.

The fact is that we have hair follicles on our skin that are located in the pores.

Also, fat produced by the sebaceous glands is secreted onto the upper layers of the epidermis. When functioning correctly, the fatty layer forms a uniform film - protection, but if it malfunctions, sebaceous glands produce emissions that are retained in the pores.

Over time, they interact with dirt, dead cells, carbon dioxide and are pushed upward, forming a comedon - a blackhead. What can contribute to the appearance of comedones? Let's consider reasons for their appearance:

Poor hygiene or lack thereof.
The use of low-quality or deteriorated foundation, which can clog in the pores.
The presence of inflammatory formations, which also contribute to the development of comedones.
Changes in the body in the form of hormonal imbalances that incline the body to the formation of blackheads.
Stress can also negatively affect the condition of the skin.
Regular physical contact with the skin may also be the cause. For example, touching your face, wearing masks and respirators.
Another unlikely but possible cause is genetic predisposition, allergic reaction, or drug intolerance.

Troubleshooting

How to get rid of comedones on the face? Despite the fact that no magic cure for comedones has been found, there are ways to reduce the possibility of their occurrence and methods for eliminating them.

Treatment

How to get rid of closed comedones on the face?

Treatment of closed comedones is prescribed in order to reduce the amount of fatty secretions.

For this purpose they are appointed antibiotics, preventing the development of germs and bacteria. Various procedures are also recommended.

For example, face cleaning will relieve you of excess dirt and old comedones. Prescribed to improve blood circulation darsonval or ultrasound treatment. To normalize the skin, a procedure such as pilling.

It normalizes blood circulation, eliminates keratinized particles, activates the sebaceous glands, and reduces inflammation.

If you are afraid of a cosmetologist and aggressive procedures, then soft peeling can be purchased at a pharmacy and used at home.

Ointments and creams

How to treat comedones on the face? Currently, there are ointments and creams that reduce the risk of new comedones. Recommended means are: Skinoren, Baziron, Zinc ointment, Klenzit S.

The only disadvantage of such products is severe dryness of the skin, so it is better to use them on oily skin, avoiding areas prone to dryness and tightness.

Great for preventing comedones scrubs. They are the ones who can eliminate blackheads.

This occurs due to microparticles scrubbing contaminated areas of the skin.

A scrub gel can be replaced by a washing gel, which also contains small particles, for example, salt, ground apricot kernels etc.

Folk remedies

In folk medicine there are also ways to prevent the formation of comedones. You can prepare your own ointment, cream, scrub or mask to cleanse the skin.

Various infusions and tonic products. We will look at the recipes in more detail in the next chapter.

You can learn how to tighten pores on your face at home from our guide.

Important advice from the editor

If you want to improve the condition of your skin, special attention should be paid to the creams you use. A frightening figure - 97% of creams from well-known brands contain substances that poison our body. The main components due to which all the troubles on the labels are designated as methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, E214-E219. Parabens have a negative effect on the skin and can also cause hormonal imbalance. But the worst thing is that this nasty stuff gets into the liver, heart, lungs, accumulates in organs and can cause cancer. We advise you not to use products that contain these substances. Recently, experts from our editorial team conducted an analysis of natural creams, where first place was taken by products from Mulsan Сosmetic, a leader in the production of all-natural cosmetics. All products are manufactured under strict quality control and certification systems. We recommend visiting the official online store mulsan.ru. If you doubt the naturalness of your cosmetics, check the expiration date; it should not exceed one year of storage.

Mask Recipes

How to remove comedones on the face at home? Before you begin choosing and making a mask, you you need to know a few rules:

choose only fresh products;
check the ingredients for an allergic reaction, discard those that cause irritation or burning;
consult your doctor or cosmetologist;
Do not make masks if there are a lot of inflammatory elements on your face.

"Protein perfection"

To prepare the mask, you need to take a chicken egg, separate it and beat it well with a whisk.

As you beat, carefully add a tablespoon to the egg whites. Sahara and a tablespoon of chopped oatmeal.

After preparation, before applying, pour a teaspoon into the mask lemon juice.

Apply the mask to your face using a brush and leave until dry. for 15 minutes, then carefully remove the resulting film from your face. Afterwards, if necessary, apply cream according to your face type.

"Milk Delight"

Since ancient times, dairy products have been famous for their healing properties for cosmetic purposes.

There is also an amazing mask for comedones, which consists of two ingredients. To begin, wipe your face with a cotton pad soaked in milk.

Then apply with a brush kefir in several layers on the skin. Take a comfortable position and enjoy 30 minutes. Then rinse with running water. Your skin will become significantly lighter and fresher after the first procedure.

"Coal Magic"

Now the Internet is full of footage and photos from, which gets rid of comedones in one session. This mask can be prepared at home. For this you will need activated carbon, gelatin and a little milk.

First you need to take a tablespoon of gelatin and mix it with a tablespoon of milk.

Leave the mixture swell for 20 minutes. Then all this needs to be heated in a water bath so that the gelatin is activated.

Also add activated carbon (1 tablet), ground into powder, to the mask. Let the mixture cool slightly and begin applying to your face. After some time, the mask will begin to cool and dry out, forming a black film.

After 30 minutes it must be carefully removed from the face. What is so wonderful about this mask? The charcoal included in the composition breaks down blockages in pores in the form of blackheads and normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands.

Milk disinfects and eliminates minor inflammations, gelatin allows you to easily pull out all comedones and particles of dead skin from the surface of the face.

Girls who have tried this mask notice results after the first use.

Contraindications and frequency of use

Masks and products used to eliminate comedones have healing properties, but they also have contraindications and features of use:

do not use aggressive means more than once a week. These include peelings, scrubs with hard particles, film masks;
stop taking medications that you need have allergies. This could be Baziron cream, Klenzit, etc.;
do not use facial scrubs if you have inflammatory elements. There is a possible risk of spreading them all over the face;
Before starting a course of treatment with cream or gel, you must consult a doctor;
creams and ointments containing hormonal drugs should be used in a course with mandatory breaks, otherwise addiction may develop;
Light masks made from natural ingredients can be applied every other day.

Efficiency

If you are faced with the choice of using a mask or procedure, it is important to know the effectiveness of each method.

Currently, the most effective and efficient procedures are considered to be: mechanical or ultrasonic cleaning faces.

The same results are shown by peelings that can not only eliminate comedones, but also improve the condition of the skin in general.

If we talk about home remedies, they are less effective and require long-term use. However, a mask such as charcoal gelatin can show results after the first use.

Do not despair if you notice such unpleasant formations as comedones on your face. Currently There are many procedures and means to combat them.. You just need to choose what you like.

You can learn how to cure closed comedones on the face from the video:

Due to clogged pores, blackheads often appear on the face, scientifically called comedones. To get rid of comedones on the face, it is necessary to find out the causes of their occurrence and provide proper facial skin care. Comedones are open and closed depending on the depth of their location. How to get rid of comedones at home.

Treatment of comedones on the face at home

There is a set of drugs, products and procedures that make it possible to treat comedones on the face at home.

In the morning and evening, you need to cleanse your face with a special foam using a sponge or sponge. The face should be moisturized, apply foam to it and beat it until small bubbles appear. Then the remaining product is washed off with a sponge. This procedure removes particles of fat, dirt and dead cells well.

It is useful to carry out weekly exercises, which contain fruit acids. But you should not carry out these procedures at the same time, since there is a high probability of the development of skin irritation.

The complex of home treatment procedures can be supplemented or. If you scrub or peel at the same time, it is recommended to apply masks once a week. In the absence of additional procedures, masks should be applied 3 times a week.

At night, your facial skin should take a break from makeup. To remove it, you should use cosmetic milk or tonics that do not contain alcohol.

For dry skin, you should choose a moisturizer that does not clog the pores of the skin.

Cosmetologists praise masks for the treatment of closed comedones, for the preparation of which vegetables are used. Cucumbers, carrots, and zucchini are suitable for this purpose. Vegetables should be grated on a fine grater. You need to add olive oil or lemon juice to this mixture. The mask is applied to a cleansed face, left for 15 minutes, then washed off with warm water.

Nutrition for the treatment of comedones

To treat comedones on the face at home, you need to balance your diet. To do this, you need to minimize the consumption of baked goods, fried foods, smoked products, sweets, spices and fatty meats, since such food activates skin secretions, which is not compatible with the treatment of comedones. The diet should include a lot of cereals, vegetables, and fruits.

During the hot season, you should avoid using foundation in your daytime makeup; it is better to replace it with loose powder.

Preparations for the treatment of comedones

We must not forget about the use of drugs that gradually destroy closed comedones. Must be included in the treatment of comedones at home daily intake of Skinoren and Differin. "Skinoren" contains azelaic acid, which slows down the growth of epidermal cells and promotes their death. Differin is characterized by similar properties, but, in addition, it promotes desquamation of the upper epidermal layer.

With regular use of these remedies for comedones, after 3 months the skin will become thinner, the pores will open, and white plugs will easily come out of them.

Masks for treating comedones at home

To prepare a mask for the treatment of comedones at home, you need to take baby soap and baking soda. The soap is washed out and the resulting foam is applied to the face. Soda is placed on top of the foam. There may be a tingling sensation in the first few minutes, but then it goes away. The mask should be washed off with warm water and the next time the procedure can be repeated no earlier than after 7-10 days.

To prepare another version of the mask for the treatment of comedones at home, you need to take kefir, oatmeal and soda. The flakes are crushed, combined with kefir and a pinch of soda. A thick paste is applied to the affected areas of the facial skin and left on it for 15 minutes. After this, you should wash your face with cool water.

Squeezing out comedones at home

Before squeezing out comedones, you need to steam your face yourself. For this, steam baths are used: very hot water is poured into a certain container (pan, basin), into which herbal infusions and decoctions, for example, linden or chamomile, are added. The cleansed face should be tilted over the steam that comes from the water. To achieve a greater effect, you can cover yourself with a towel on top. Steaming your face takes no more than 10-12 minutes. After the pores have expanded, you can start squeezing out comedones at home. It is important that your fingers and nails are thoroughly washed and disinfected with vodka or alcohol. Nails should be cut short and fingers should be wrapped in clean napkins. After steaming your face, comedones come out when light pressure is applied to the skin; you should not try to squeeze the blackheads with great pressure.

A contraindication to steaming the face is the presence of dilated blood vessels on it. In other cases, steam baths should be used no more than once a week.

After completing the procedure for squeezing out comedones at home, the affected areas of the skin should be wiped with a cleansing lotion or hydrogen peroxide. Then it is necessary to narrow the enlarged pores, because After squeezing out comedones, the sebaceous glands strive to fill the resulting empty channel with sebum as quickly as possible to prevent direct penetration of bacteria through it into the deep layers of the skin. In this regard, after the skin has been wiped with lotion, you need to use tightening masks or other means that narrow the pores. This could be rubbing with ice cubes, applying a clay mask or egg white with lemon juice.

The final stage of squeezing out comedones is to moisturize the skin, which can be provided with a moisturizer. Liquid glycerin with the addition of a few drops of lemon juice may be suitable for this purpose.

Patch for getting rid of comedones on the face

The use of a cosmetic patch to get rid of comedones on the face should be done after steaming the face. The procedure should be carried out no more than once a week.

Comedones are a type of acne that often accompanies various gastrointestinal diseases and hormonal imbalances. They can be considered a cosmetic defect that does not threaten life and health, but they negatively affect self-esteem, make a person ashamed of his own appearance and even lead to depression. In addition, such aesthetic imperfection is often only a reflection of internal problems, which are extremely imprudent to let take their course.

Small lumps in the pores of the skin, which are commonly called acne, are called comedones by doctors. Doctors also call them cysts, since their structure resembles similar formations on internal organs. In addition to fat, they also contain microscopic exfoliated flakes of the upper layer of skin and particles of dirt and dust. Due to the created barrier, sebum has no outlet, cannot be removed outside and accumulates inside. The same thing happens with toxic substances that must come to the surface of the skin through the pores. Due to the obstacle in the form of a clot of lard, they simply cannot do this and react with it. The result is a sticky and thick white-gray or white-yellowish mass in the form of clots under the skin.

These unpleasant formations most often occur in young people aged 11 to 25. In older people, as a rule, the intensity of sebum secretion decreases, so comedones bother them much less often.

Comedones on the face cause a lot of discomfort. Young girls are the most complex about this, since the opinion has formed that comedones are a sign of unkemptness and non-compliance with personal hygiene rules. However, everything is not so simple.

Causes of comedones on the face and body

The reasons for the appearance may be different:

Heredity. If one of your relatives suffered from this problem, then with a 50 percent chance it will appear in the younger generation. And if one of the parents had comedones, then their children are at high risk. The probability of such a deficiency reaching 95%. However, much depends on the lifestyle a person leads.
A side effect from using synthetic hormones or birth control. Hormonal imbalance almost always leads to deterioration of the dermis.
Increased testosterone concentration. It is often observed in adolescents during puberty and in the fair half of humanity at different stages of life. After normalization of hormonal levels, the disease often disappears on its own.
Stress and nervous tension. All experiences are reflected on the skin, and besides, during times of stress, a person, as a rule, completely forgets about the rules of facial care, can constantly touch it with his hands and unconsciously pick at pimples. Therefore, before treating comedones, you must take a course of sedatives.
Allergy to cosmetics. Many creams and foundations have an overly greasy, oily base that is not suitable for certain skin types. All cosmetics must be selected very carefully and in accordance with your skin type.
Wrong nutrition. Eating a lot of fats and simple carbohydrates, lack of sufficient amounts of plant foods, abuse of sweets and high-calorie foods is one of the main factors that provokes the occurrence of comedones.
Mistakes in hygiene. You need to take care of your skin and not let the situation take its course. Oily skin must be degreased, since excess sebum always leads to various inflammations, acne and pimples.

Those with oily skin need to take extra care of their skin. The habit of going out at night without washing your face, using inappropriate cosmetics and neglecting skin cleansing is a direct path to the formation of comedones.

However, it is worth noting that an overly fanatical desire to dry the skin in order to solve the problem of rashes leads to the opposite effect - the sebaceous glands begin to work with a vengeance and the situation only gets worse.

In very rare cases, the environment is to blame. If the air contains too many carbon oxides and metal salts, this can also provoke such a disease.

Types of rashes

It is difficult to notice the onset of the disease, since suspicious lumps are not yet observed at this time. The skin simply becomes rough, the pores become enlarged. The complexion changes, becomes sickly, with a grayish-sallow tint. Due to the rapidly increasing fat content, cosmetics do not stick well and simply “bleed”. It is during this period that therapy would be most effective, but, unfortunately, people are in no hurry to treat their skin and begin to sound the alarm when nodules with sebum - comedones - appear. They come in two types.

Closed comedones

This is the name given to white-yellow acne made from a dense sebaceous clot with dead epidermal scales and an accumulation of various pathogens. These appear as nodules ranging in size from 1 – 2 mm to 5 mm, which can be very painful. Often they are a stage on the way to the occurrence of purulent acne, boils, and suppuration. Their location is on the forehead, chin, nose, shoulders, back and chest - where a lot of sebum is always secreted.

Open comedones

They are more often called blackheads. The contents of the nodules come into contact with air, which causes their surface to darken. When squeezed out, this can be seen especially clearly: a piece of hard lard with a black head resembles a small worm.

How to get rid of comedones

Solving the problem is not always easy. Most often, women with it turn to cosmetologists, go for all sorts of procedures or experiment with different home remedies... forgetting that they first need to eliminate the causes of formations.

Drug treatment

Before treating comedones, you must consult with specialized doctors. Most often, the reasons are hidden in the presence of gastrointestinal diseases and improper hormone production. Only on the basis of a complete examination can a doctor prescribe adequate therapy. As a rule, it is always accompanied by a certain diet and external procedures aimed at removing comedones.

The drug "Differin" has proven itself well. This product has an excellent antibacterial effect. You can find gel or cream on sale.
Positive reviews have also been heard about Tretinoin lotion.

However, the drug that works for someone may be completely useless for another. It is also very important to consider contraindications. In any case, the effect will never be noticed immediately. To see the first results, you need to regularly use the medications for 5 to 9 weeks.

It is worth considering that such means solve the problem only partly. If the root cause is not eliminated, then comedones will return almost immediately after successful cosmetic “treatment”.

Cosmetic procedures

The purpose of such procedures is to normalize sebum production and remove dead cells. This helps to heal the skin and return it to a tolerable condition. For this, peeling with fruit acids and microdermabrasion are often used. After these procedures, special medications with anti-comedogenic properties are applied to the patient’s face.

In less advanced cases, cleaning is carried out manually or using special tools. But to prevent the re-formation of comedones, it is recommended to undergo laser peeling, which completely renews the epithelium, normalizes the activity of the subcutaneous sebaceous glands and stabilizes the metabolism in the skin tissues.

Folk remedies against comedones

You can simply use time-tested masks at home. The main thing in this matter is diligence and consistency.

Possible options for medicinal mixtures:

Cucumber. Grind into a paste, add a little olive oil. Distribute over the skin and leave for a quarter of an hour. Instead of cucumber, you can use zucchini or young carrots.
Protein. Beat 1 egg white with sugar (1 tablespoon), divide into 2 parts. Apply the first part to your face and leave for 5 minutes. Apply the remaining mixture with tapping movements onto the dried first layer.
Oatmeal. Mix oatmeal with milk until it becomes a paste. Apply in a circular motion.

A homemade face mask is always applied to previously cleansed skin and then washed off with warm water.

It is also good to wipe your face with citrus-based tonics.

Squeezing out comedones on your own is not the best option, as this leads to the formation of scars, ulcers, crusts of dried blood with ichor and a general worsening of the skin condition.

Prevention

Preventive measures are simple and, probably, that is why they are often ignored. It seems that solving a big problem must also be difficult.

However, it is often enough to follow simple principles to significantly improve the condition of the skin:

Observe all hygiene rules, do not touch it with your hands and wear your hair in such a way that your hair does not fall on your forehead and cheeks. With oily facial skin, the hair also gets dirty very quickly. Touching the skin, dirty curls only aggravate the situation.
Avoid using regular soap: it dries your skin too much.
During the period of exacerbation, refuse decorative cosmetics.
Regularly cleanse your face with special tonics, lotions and scrubs.
Make masks based on tea tree or eucalyptus essential oils.
Eat properly.
Spend more time outdoors.

If you follow these precautions, if comedones appear, there will not be many of them and it will be much easier to deal with them.

Everyone knows what acne is. But there is another type of rash - comedonic acne, when the skin becomes bumpy or covered with so-called blackheads. This dermatological problem is widespread among teenagers, but adults often suffer from it too. The good news is that there are effective ways to treat comedones.

What are comedones

Comedon is the name for a “plug” of sebum and dead epidermal cells in a hair follicle or pore. Externally, the rashes look like the well-known “black dots” on the skin or bumps. Comedones are a type of acne, but without signs of inflammation. In some places, however, in the area of their accumulation, isolated inflamed elements (red pimples) may be observed. This is the next stage of comedonal development if a bacterial infection occurs.

The frequency of diagnosis of comedones is approximately the same in both men and women.

The distribution of comedonal eruptions varies from mild cases (with small areas affected) to more severe cases when large areas of the body are covered. The rash may develop on the face, back, neck and chest. Most often, comedones appear on the forehead, chin or nose.

Blackheads, or open comedones, can be considered as the initial stage of pimple development

Like most types of acne, comedones are especially common during adolescence. Although adults are not immune from them, especially those with oily and combination skin types. There is often a family tendency to such rashes. For example, if parents had comedones, then children have an increased risk of this dermatological problem.

The cause of comedones in children is unknown. Typically, the presence of acne in them is not associated with excessive levels of testosterone or other androgenic (male sex) hormones, and children with such a rash do not differ in appearance from their peers.

In children, the occurrence of comedones is not associated with hormonal imbalance

Comedones can appear in newborns on the second or third day of life. This happens due to a “hormonal crisis,” which is expressed in the accumulation of a large amount of maternal sex hormones in the child’s body.

Varieties

Comedones can be open or closed, and their type determines the nature of the rash. Open comedones (blackheads) are what we more often call acne. They occur when a plug of sebum blocks the duct of the hair follicle. The upper part of the plugging mass is exposed to air (oxidizes) and therefore becomes brown or black.

Open comedones - black or dark brown acne - are clearly visible on the face

Closed comedones (whiteheads) occur when the ducts of the follicles are completely blocked, and the plug of sebum and desquamated epidermal cells is not exposed to air. The cork does not turn black; instead, bumps or bumps on the skin are visually visible. They are not inflamed, but the skin does not look perfectly smooth. In addition, in the future there is a risk of inflammation of the rash elements.

Closed comedones are small, flesh-colored bumps

According to size, acne elements are divided into:

There is another type of comedones - actinic, or solar. They develop as a result of photodamage and age-related changes in the skin. That is why this type is observed in older people, and the lesions are located mainly on the face.

Ultraviolet radiation is the main cause of skin photoaging and the appearance of actinic changes on it.

Reasons for education

Thanks to the process of cell renewal, our skin gains the ability to recover from negative environmental influences. But because of this, acne and pimples form on it. If there is an accumulation of exfoliated cells (for example, due to untimely cleansing of the skin), they stick to the sticky secretion of the sebaceous gland and form a plug in the duct of the hair follicle. Another factor that provokes blockage of the sebaceous glands is their excessive secretion.

Among the main reasons for the appearance of comedones are:

Improper skin care. This includes not only insufficient (or improper) cleansing, but also the use of cosmetics and makeup based on fats. The habit of going to bed without washing your face can have very negative consequences for your facial skin. This provokes the accumulation of particles of dead cells, their fusion with sebum, dust and compaction.
genetic predisposition. You should take extra care of your facial skin if you have a family history of acne.
Hormonal disorders in the body. Most often, the appearance of comedones is promoted by an increased level of testosterone.
Taking certain medications (mainly hormonal). May be accompanied by the appearance of comedones. True, in most cases, they go away as soon as the person stops taking these medications.
Frequent exposure to stressful situations. It has been observed that the composition of sebum changes in people under stress. In addition, in a depressed state, a person devotes much less time to hygiene and skin care, which leads to the formation of comedones. Often, after getting out of stressful situations, comedones that appear during this period go away on their own.
Living in a humid climate and polluted air. This combination is extremely negative for the skin, as it promotes active contamination and, therefore, provokes the formation of comedones.

A large number of comedones can be caused by diet errors. It has been observed that excess consumption of dairy products and foods with a high glycemic index (sugar and fats) leads to increased acne.

How to get rid of comedones on the face and body

There are many ways to treat comedones. They help unclog pores, kill bacteria or reduce the amount of sebum produced.

Mild forms of acne can go away on their own, for example, in teenagers, when hormonal levels stabilize and sebum production normalizes. Severe and advanced stages must be treated with the involvement of a dermatologist.

Extrusion

Squeezing out open comedones manually can be a good solution to the problem if the rash is local in nature and the acne covers small areas (the wings of the nose, the middle of the forehead, the chin). And although mechanical cleansing is considered a temporary solution to the problem (the procedure must be carried out regularly as the pores become clogged), it can still be an important step towards healthy skin.

Proper manual cleaning of open comedones at home or with a cosmetologist involves the following steps:

It is necessary to cleanse the skin with a mild cleanser (too vigorous cleansing will strip it of its protective layer and make it overly sensitive to squeezing).
Use of steam. It will help open the pores as much as possible and soften the plug. To do this, you need to hold your face over a basin of hot water, take a warming shower, or put a towel on your face for a few minutes, previously soaked in heated water and wrung out.
Next, wrap the index fingers of both hands with a clean, dry cloth and place them in the area of the comedones.
Gently pressing and squeezing the area of skin with both fingers, you need to make “rolling” movements.
After one or two of these squeezes, you should move your fingers slightly to avoid putting pressure on the same area of skin.
If the blackheads are ready to come out, then this will happen quite easily and without excessive effort on the part of the person performing the procedure.
The contents of the pores will gradually “come out”; it must be carefully cleaned from the surface of the epidermis with a cloth.
Manual facial cleansing should be done under sterile conditions
If the comedone does not come out, then you should not be zealous, this can only harm the skin and provoke inflammation.
At the end of the procedure, it is necessary to disinfect the area with an antiseptic and rinse with cool water to narrow the pores.

But mechanical cleansing is not always the best way to cleanse the skin of comedones. Bacteria live inside the follicular ducts. When squeezing out blackheads, there is a risk of their release into the surrounding tissue. This is how inflammations form on the skin. Squeezing increases the risk of scarring.

Other procedures for removing comedones

Comedones are successfully removed in a beauty salon. The following methods are used:

Mechanical facial cleansing. This squeezing procedure after steaming the skin is carried out under sterile conditions and requires periodic repetition.
Method of atraumatic facial cleansing. With this method, sebaceous plugs are not squeezed out, but dissolved, after opening the pores and applying masks with fruit acids to the skin.
Peeling. Peeling products can have different compositions of components: anti-inflammatory, keratolytic, antiseborrheic. Peeling not only cleanses superficial comedones, but also helps to lift deep ones so that mechanical cleaning can be carried out.
Ultrasonic cleaning. In this case, the skin is cleansed using ultrasonic waves, causing cell vibrations and pushing sebaceous plugs out. This is a modern, non-traumatic and very effective method of getting rid of comedones.
Vacuum cleaning. It is carried out using a device with the effect of “pulling” skin impurities into itself. During the procedure, local blood circulation is activated, which also has a positive effect on the condition of the skin. Unfortunately, vacuum is powerless against very deep comedones or inflamed pimples.

Mechanical cleaning in a beauty salon

Safer cleaning is done using a special tool for removing comedones, which is a small loop and a spoon with a hole in the middle at different ends of a metal rod. The tool gently peels back the skin around the blackhead and brings the contents to the surface. Unlike squeezing, this method does not compress the pore walls, so the risk of injury is lower. But tissue damage can still occur.

The tool for removing comedones is a metal rod with a loop and a spoon at different ends

Video: facial cleansing by a cosmetologist

Anti-comedone strips

While a spoon or loop removes only one blackhead at a time, special strips for cleansing pores destroy several at once. The strips come in different sizes for use on the nose, cheek, chin and forehead. Because the contents of the blackheads are closer to the surface, they stick to the adhesive inside of the strip and come out when the person removes it. This procedure is less likely to damage pores, but some people may experience an allergic reaction.

Adhesive strips gently remove many comedones at the same time, which saves time and effort

Medicines

For drug treatment, so-called comedolytic (destroying comedones) topical drugs are used. They should be applied once or twice a day by applying a thin layer over the entire affected area. Treatment for comedonal acne is usually long-term and may require a period of several weeks to several months before noticeable improvement occurs.

Suitable topical agents:

benzoyl peroxide;
azelaic acid;
salicylic acid;
glycolic acid;
retinoids, or structural analogues of vitamin A (they require a doctor's prescription).

Oral medications (tablets) for comedonal acne include:

retinoids (Isotretinoin);
antibiotics - these are usually prescribed for inflamed acne (Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Minocycline and sulfa drugs).

Use of retinoids

The term "retinoid" refers to retinol (vitamin A) and its derivatives, natural or synthetic. Retinoids affect epithelial cells by binding to receptors within them. Commonly prescribed medications include Tretinoin, Isotretinoin, Acnecutane, and Adapalene.

Tretinoin is a retinoid that accelerates cellular metabolism inside the follicle

Tretinoin accelerates cellular turnover on the surface of the hair follicle. This leads to extrusion (pushing out) of comedones. Side effects include local skin irritation and increased sensitivity to the sun.

New formulations of Tretinoin, designed to allow the drug to be absorbed slowly into epithelial cells, cause less skin irritation than the initially available forms. Improvement in acne may not appear until two to three weeks after starting treatment.

Isotretinoin does not produce results when applied topically. It is taken orally to treat severe forms of acne that do not respond to antibiotic treatment. Isotretinoin can cause serious birth defects, including physical abnormalities and mental retardation. During treatment with the drug and for some time after taking it, women are prohibited from becoming pregnant.

Any of the retinoids can have serious side effects. Among them:

skin boils;
increased skin sensitivity;
hair loss;
headache;
nausea and vomiting;
visual disturbances.

Retinoids are allowed to be used for treatment strictly as prescribed by a doctor.

Antibacterial agents are used to kill bacteria. The most common mild active ingredient with an antimicrobial effect is benzoyl peroxide. It helps exfoliate the top layer of skin and destroys bacteria due to its oxidizing properties. It is often included in prescription medications. Benzoyl peroxide is added to acne products such as gels, creams, lotions, and cosmetic cleansers.

Benzoyl peroxide can be used alone or in combination treatment.

Benzoyl peroxide is the drug of choice for the treatment of acne

Other antibacterial agents available by prescription include topical antibiotics such as Erythromycin, Clindamycin, and Zerkalin.

Photo gallery: medications for the treatment of comedones

Acnekutan contains the retinoid isotretinoin, the medicine is taken strictly as prescribed by the doctor Baziron AS - gel with benzoyl peroxide, which reduces the severity of comedones
Klenzit-S is a combination drug for the treatment of acne (retinoid adapalene + antibiotic clindamycin)
Zerkalin - antibacterial lotion to reduce urea rash

Surgery

Comedones on the face are sometimes combined with rosacea - a persistent dilation of small blood vessels in the skin. Both of these problems can be solved simultaneously using laser therapy.

Exfoliants

Products that help open pores include gentle cleansers, scrubs, exfoliants and masks. All of them are available without a prescription. Exfoliators remove the outer layer of skin, thereby opening up the pores. Special masks help get rid of excess sebum. A similar effect can be achieved with homemade products.

Orange peel scrub

An orange peel scrub will make your skin clean, smooth and remove comedones. You can prepare it as follows:

Dry the orange peels and grind them in a blender to a powder.
Add rose water and milk cream to this powder in equal proportions to make a paste.
Apply the product to the area of comedonal acne.
Lightly massage the skin.
Rinse off using circular movements when the product is almost dry.

Dried, crushed orange peel makes an excellent base for a gentle homemade scrub.

Instead of orange peel, you can use dry crushed lemon zest.

Almond peeling mask

Almond peeling mask has a mild anti-comedogenic effect. Method of its preparation:

Soak a handful of almonds in water overnight.
In the morning, grind in a blender to a paste.
Add 1 teaspoon of honey and apply the product to your face.
Massage for 1-2 minutes, then leave to dry for another 5-10 minutes.
Rinse off with warm water.

Choosing the right product and regular use ensures successful treatment of comedones

Proper nutrition

Getting rid of comedones is impossible without normalizing nutrition. Doctors recommend following a diet low in sugar, fat and dairy products, which trigger increased insulin production.

Insulin is a hormone secreted to transport glucose into the cell. It is released when a person experiences stress or eats. A large amount of it is released when carbohydrates are consumed:

bakery products;
baking;
sweets and other sweets;
chips;
potatoes;
grain and whole grain products;
legumes;
sweet fruits.

The production of insulin through a series of reactions is also triggered during the absorption of fatty foods, especially if it is combined with carbohydrates. Insulin increases inflammation and increases testosterone, which leads to excessive sebum production.

Drinking plenty of fluids is a good way to detoxify the skin. Fresh fruit juices throughout the day and a glass of warm water with lemon juice in the morning on an empty stomach are helpful.

Treatment prognosis and possible complications

In the absence of the necessary treatment, as well as in the case of its insufficiency, the manifestations of comedones will worsen with an increase in the affected area and the penetration of inflammatory processes into the deeper layers of the skin. Complications are:

Prevention

To prevent the formation of comedones, it is recommended:

observe personal hygiene rules, use exfoliating products, regularly cleanse the skin;
follow the rules of a healthy diet, eliminate bad habits and enrich the body with essential vitamins;
Having your skin regularly examined by a dermatologist will give you confidence in maintaining its health.

You need to remember that you shouldn’t touch your face with your hands again. This prevents the spread of bacteria that cause inflammation on the skin.

Comedones are one of the types of acne (acne), in which a mixture of dead cells and microorganisms forms under the skin.

Despite the fact that comedones can often remain invisible outwardly, they can cause pain. And considering that such formations can reach five millimeters in diameter and spread throughout the body, it is undesirable to ignore such a problem.

Unlike open comedones in the form of blackheads, closed acne is white and can appear at any age. But most often such acne is typical for people aged 12-24 years.

Causes of closed comedones

The main reason for the appearance of closed comedones is various hormonal disorders, but doctors note a number of other factors:

Improper skin care or complete neglect of personal hygiene, resulting in clogged skin pores.
Excessive activity of the sebaceous glands.
A genetic predisposition, as a result of which comedones can appear even in those who monitor their skin condition.
In some cases, the cause may be the use of certain medications.
In exceptional cases, the appearance of comedones may be influenced by environmental pollution. As a result, skin pores become clogged with particles of dust, dirt and various compounds, which leads to the appearance of closed comedones.
In men, an excessive amount of testosterone in the body also leads to the appearance of comedones.

As a result of hormonal disorders, comedones often appear in pregnant women, even if all hygiene requirements are met. Endocrine diseases and gastrointestinal problems also increase the likelihood of the formation of such acne.

Symptoms

Closed comedones can be practically invisible in appearance; in addition, for several months and even years, these formations may not cause any pain or discomfort.

But often the following symptoms may indicate the onset of comedones:

change in facial skin color (the skin takes on a painful gray or greenish tint);
peeling;
roughening of the skin;
visually noticeable expansion of pores;
In women, cosmetics begin to stick poorly (due to increased fat content in the skin).

In advanced cases, closed comedones begin to become inflamed and redness is observed.

In such cases, self-medication, much less squeezing out acne, is not recommended, since such procedures result in noticeable scars, and it is also possible for a secondary infection to enter the comedone.

Methods of drug treatment

If there are several relatively small closed comedones that do not bother or cause discomfort, you can get by with just hygiene measures. It is enough to wash your face with soap twice a day and use lotions that do not contain alcohol for wiping.

But sometimes treatment requires application special means. They should be taken only after consultation with specialists, since these drugs, although effective, can also have a number of side effects.

Antibiotics

This is the best option that allows you to eliminate comedones without the use of external agents.

The main disadvantage of antibiotics is their harmful effects on the immune system, since oral antibiotics disrupt the body's immune system. In most cases, two drugs are used to treat closed comedones:

A fairly effective antibiotic, but it has a number of contraindications, including pregnancy, hypersensitivity to tetracycline drugs and severe dysfunction of the liver and kidneys.

The cost of the drug varies in the range 340-350 rubles.

Tetracycline

Cost of the drug - about 100 rubles, but it may not be effective in severe cases.

Special creams or lotions

Unlike antibiotics intended for internal use, creams for the treatment of comedones do not cause damage to the body, but the course of treatment in this case may last longer. The basis of such creams and gels is benzene peroxide.

Among the most popular creams, Zinerit can be distinguished, which effectively fights all types of acne, but with prolonged use, the effectiveness of the drug decreases, as the bacteria that form comedones begin to “get used” to the active components of the cream.

The cost of such a product is about 500 rubles.

Many dermatologists recommend the use of Skinoren cream-gel, which can be used both for spot application (if there are not very many comedones) or for application to the entire surface of the skin. The main side effect of the drug is slight burning sensation.

The average cost is 600 rubles.

Adapalene cream

A more expensive remedy is Adapalen cream. This drug can be used in combination with other creams and lotions, and it effectively fights even severe forms of acne.

Price 760 rubles.

Among lotions, experts distinguish Holy Land lotion (cost - from 1400 rubles depending on the region).

This product is considered natural, since arnica and witch hazel extracts are used as its base.

The lotion is suitable for sensitive skin and not only quickly dissolves old closed comedones, but also prevents the appearance of new ones.

But firstly, such a remedy does not give quick results: it must be used for at least a week twice a day. Secondly, if after a course of treatment you do not adhere to preventive measures, there is always the possibility of comedones reappearing.

Ointments

Among the ointments, the most common are:

Retinoic

A relatively mild product that eliminates acne and normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands. The only serious side effect is associated with individual intolerance.

Price 250 rubles.

In addition to treating comedones, the ointment prevents the appearance of new formations on the skin and generally makes the skin less oily. The product must be used carefully and in consultation with the doctor.

Price 700 rubles.

Allows you to quickly get rid of comedones (on average, the course of treatment is 2-3 days). Before use, you must ensure that there is no individual intolerance to the components of the product.

Price up to 120 rubles.

The most inexpensive remedy among similar drugs, which also has virtually no side effects. But it is advisable to use such an ointment for the separate elimination of a small number of comedones.

Price 50 rubles.

Cosmetic procedures

In some cases, the use of medications alone does not eliminate comedones, and more effective radical methods are required. These are cosmetic procedures that have their advantages, but are not without drawbacks. Such procedures are prescribed individually.

Mechanical method

Technically, this is the easiest way to help remove dead skin cells, dirt, plugs and comedones.

The most popular type of these procedures is icrocrystalline dermabrasion(microdermabrasion).

In this case, the upper layer of the skin is polished using a special vacuum suction apparatus, which has nozzles coated with diamond dust. In practice, this method can be called peeling, since in this case the top layer is removed (and comedones along with it), after which this layer of skin is completely renewed.

Depending on the number of comedones and their size, the microdermabrasion procedure can be one-time, or it can take place in several stages. The procedure is not very painful, but for people with thin skin it can cause discomfort, therefore, in some cases, local anesthesia is done before peeling.

The procedure is the cauterization of comedones with an electric current, and such a procedure is carried out only in beauty salons where special equipment is used.

In the process of electrocoagulation, a thin film is formed on the areas exposed to the current, which peels off after about a week.

If the comedones are large enough and sit deep, subtle light scars may remain on the face after the procedure.

Treatment with laser

This effective method allows you to achieve visible results after the first procedure, and thanks to the ability to adjust the depth of penetration, the specialist can work with problem areas without affecting the surrounding tissues.

This procedure not only has no consequences in the form of scars or scars, but is absolutely painless.

There are three types of such laser peeling:

Blue laser treatment (frequency 405-420 nm). This procedure destroys bacteria that are deep in the skin and promotes the resorption of comedones.
Pulse laser. During treatment, bacteria are killed and the secretion of the sebaceous glands is reduced. As a result of this decrease in the intensity of secretion, less sebum is produced, which is a breeding ground for bacteria. As a result, old comedones resolve, and the likelihood of new ones forming decreases.
Diode laser. Unlike the previous type, this procedure helps to completely stop the secretion of sebum. It is quite effective in the treatment of acne, when comedones form in large quantities over the entire surface of the face.

Diet

There are no special diets that help get rid of comedones.

Moreover, claims that avoiding sweets and fatty foods helps prevent acne are erroneous.

The main thing is to use the following products as the basis of nutrition during this period:

walnuts;
not salted mushrooms;
barley;
oatmeal;
buckwheat;
vegetables and fruits;
boiled eggs;
steamed fish;
onion and garlic;
any legumes;
green tea;
chicory.

Folk remedies and recipes

Traditional medicine is not the best way to combat comedones, since the problem, at best, may remain at the same level. Sometimes such measures can only worsen the situation.

But doctors often themselves recommend some traditional medicine, so if desired, can be added to the course of treatment With such procedures, it is necessary to at least consult with a specialist who can tell you for sure whether this or that method will cause harm.

Really harmless (but not always effective) are scrubs.

One of them can be prepared like this: ground beans, ground oatmeal and coffee grounds are mixed in equal proportions (a teaspoon each). Half a teaspoon of fine salt is added to this composition. The thoroughly mixed composition is carefully applied to the skin, but not rubbed in. After a few minutes, the composition is washed off with warm water.

Or lemon juice, then mix everything thoroughly and apply to the face for about half an hour.

Prevention

As with any other dermatological diseases, the main thing in preventing comedones is keeping skin clean. You need to wash your face twice a day, and use soap or special cleansing gels (regular soap can cause dry skin). Twice a week it is recommended to exfoliate dead skin using scrubs in specialized salons or at home.

Problematic skin requires special care. So, it would be useful to use special antibacterial lotions based on natural ingredients (juniper, pine needles, chamomile, green tea). You can additionally use menthol and eucalyptus oils, as well as (but in small quantities), clove and cedar oil. These products reduce skin porosity, reduce inflammation and stimulate blood circulation.

It is also recommended to stick to a healthy balanced nutrition and monitor your health in general, since the general condition of the body is almost always reflected on the face, and comedones can occur as external signs of some hidden illness.

Much depends on choosing the right cosmetics. In some cases, due to individual skin characteristics, certain types of cosmetics can cause acne.

Maintaining hygiene and keeping your face clean is the best way to prevent comedones. It is also necessary to monitor the condition of the skin: on a well-groomed, clean face, the appearance of such acne is practically excluded.