…..most of the time.
Almost every day I get clients at my acne clinic that think they have blackheads on their nose. I know that what they see in their nose looks just like blackheads, but it is not. Those are what is called sebaceous filaments. They are basically the oil glands on your nose and in the chin area just below the lower lip. They are meant to be there and will never go away. Even if extracted, it still looks the same and it fills right back up again a week later.
Once in a while, someone actually will have blackheads in their nose. The picture below shows a client of mine who has blackheads in between the sebaceous filaments. Those definitely need to be extracted.
So, my rule of thumb is, if all the so-called “blackheads” in your nose are all the same size, then they are not blackheads. If, however, you have a “blackhead” that is bigger than the rest of the other “blackheads” in the nose, then it really is a blackhead and not just another sebaceous filament.
My clients tend to have a very disappointing reaction to my assessment of their “blackheads” on their nose. They, most often, ask me how to remove the blackheads on the nose. I reassure them that everybody, even people who have never had acne, have them and there is no getting rid of them . Everyone but the most oil-dry of skin does have them. When you are standing a couple of feet away from someone, which is the normal “space” between people, you can’t even see the pores on the nose.
We are all so used to looking at air-brushed pictures of models in fashion magazines that have absolutely perfect skin with no pores showing at all. Unfortunately, this sets up an expectation and fantasy that our skin should look just like this. Sorry…… these pictures are just not real; and I tell my clients that they are just going to have to accept their nose the way it is. There just is no “getting rid of blackheads on your nose”.. unless they truly ARE blackheads.
For lots of FREE information about acne and how to have clear skin, go to our website Face Reality Acne Clinic.
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Tags: blackheads in the nose, nose acne, sebaceous filaments
I love this blog, will come back, often to read more of the content.
More people should appreciate the benefits of this subject. I am quite still surprised that many people don’t appreciate the importance.
After reading the blog, they may not be blackhead around the nose, so how can I get rid of the black spots around the nose…..
There is no getting rid of them. Let them be…..
Wow! I don’t have blackheads and I knew those things on my nose weren’t exactly blackheads, but I thought they were large or clogged pores that could somehow be improved. I never understood why estheticians didn’t spend more time on my nose - now I know it’s because they are just supposed to be there! hah.
I am currently on Retin-A and antibiotics for acne.. same things I was put on a couple years ago that don’t seem to work in the long term. I am mostly clear now though, just dealing with hyperpigmentation from prior acne. I’m probably going to get some kind of chemical peel in the next few months that I’m hoping will help. If that doesn’t work I will certainly give your clinic a visit since I live in the Bay Area. Have been reading your website and really agree with a lot of your opinions on acne treatment.
And If they are blackheads how do you remove them?
We use a round extractor that gives just the right leverage for getting them out. We have our clients use exfoliating skincare that helps to keep them from forming again.