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That being said, youve probably dealt with them before.
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If youve ever had a smattering of inexplicable bumpy skin, comedonal acne might be to blame.
It is super common and the good news is, its easy to treat.
What is comedonal acne?
The result is a cluster of small, firm bumps close to the skins surface.
These bumps, or comedones, can be closed or open.
“Theyre typically characterized as whiteheads and blackheads,” saysSheila Farhang, a dermatologist in Tucson, Arizona.
(Well get into this more below).
At first glance, comedonal acne doesnt really look or feel like acne.
“Comedonal acne is a jot down of non-inflammatory acne,” says Dr. Farhang.
Ultimately, that means you treat open and closed comedones the same way you wouldtreat an acne breakout.
Dr. Wechsler says topical treatments like retinoids,salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide should do the trick.
I like that this is a spot treatment full-face salicylic acne products can be really drying.
Retinoids are derived from Vitamin A and are highly effective in treating comedonal acne.
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This facial cleanser is powered bybenzoyl peroxide.
Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial agent that helps kill the bacteria within the clogged pores, says Dr. Farhang.
And it reduces any inflammation.
What are open comedones and what causes them?
Open comedones have, you guessed it, an opening on the skins surface.
You might know closed comedones by their more common name:blackheads.
Like any punch in of acne, the biggest culprits behind open comedones are excess sebum and hormonal fluctuations.
Cortisol, a stress hormone, can also cause increased inflammation and excess sebum, resulting in clogged pores.
And clogged pores lead to comedones.
How do I treat open comedones?
Youve probably tried those sticky pore strips to pull the oil and debris from your skin.
Start with afacial cleansercontaining salicylic acid.
She recommends her own MGSKINLABs Pore Minimizing Cleanser, which contains salicylic acid and glycolic acid.
Just be sure to find a licensed esthetician or board-certified dermatologist who has been trained in this treatment.
What are closed comedones and what causes them?
Closed comedones appear as tiny, fleshy bumps that give your skin a rough and bumpy texture.
Closed comedones, like open ones, are the result of clogged pores.
Theyre typically brought on by excess sebum and hormonal changes.
Certain types of ingredients in food like dairy, sugars, and fats can also contribute to comedonal acne.
How do I treat closed comedones?
Because comedones are so susceptible to hormone fluctuations, Dr. Green recommends speaking to your dermatologist about androgen inhibitors.
To reduce the appearance of closed comedones right away, our experts recommend checking outmicrodermabrasion.
Its always best to consult a board-certified dermatologist or find a licensed technician.
Keep in mind that clear skin rarely ever happens overnight.
