Blackheads or sebaceous filaments? How to tell the difference

Many people who think they have blackheads on their nose actually have sebaceous filaments. Both look like small dots in the pores, but they are different, and knowing which you have saves you from squeezing your skin for nothing.

What are sebaceous filaments?

Sebaceous filaments are a normal part of skin. They are thin lines of oil that guide oil from the gland to the surface. Everyone has them, and they are more visible on oily skin and on the nose. They usually look grey or light brown, flat and evenly spread across the pores.

What are blackheads?

Blackheads are pores that are blocked with a firm plug of oil and dead skin. They look darker, slightly raised and uneven: some pores have them and others don't.

How to tell the difference

• Colour: filaments are grey or beige; blackheads are darker.
• Pattern: filaments look even across the nose; blackheads appear in some pores only.
• After squeezing: filaments refill within days; blackheads come out as a firm plug.

How to treat both

You can't remove sebaceous filaments permanently, and you shouldn't try. You can make them and blackheads look much smaller:

1. Cleanse gently morning and night.
2. Use the 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum at night to clear oil inside the pores.
3. Use the Pore Minimizer Serum to help balance oil so pores look smaller.
4. Wear sunscreen every day.

Most people see a smoother, less dotted nose in 3 to 6 weeks.

Roman Urdu

Naak par har grey dot blackhead nahi hota. Sebaceous filaments normal hote hain aur sab ke hote hain. Unhein dabayein nahi. Salicylic acid serum aur niacinamide serum se pores saaf aur chhote nazar aate hain.

Read next: How to remove blackheads on your nose. Cash on delivery across Pakistan.