Comedones, enlarged pores, and "porous skin" are different terms often used to describe the same skin concern, but they can be misleading. So, let’s clarify the terminology and debunk some persistent myths about comedones.
First and foremost, comedones form from within. Despite the name, they are not actual "worms" invading the pores. Nor are they caused by dirt, which is a common misconception. A comedo is actually a mix of dead skin cells, sebum, and bacteria that create a blockage at the opening of a hair follicle. Because that’s exactly what pores are, hair follicles. Everyone has them, all over the body. Therefore, saying someone has "porous skin" is not entirely accurate.
A more correct term would be "enlarged pores," indicating that the pores are dilated or more visible. The reason they often appear larger is that they are filled with comedones that have darkened upon exposure to oxygen. The black color occurs due to the oxidation of melanin in sebum. When extracted, a blackhead is only dark at the top, while the portion that remained under the skin retains its characteristic pale, sebum-like color. Newly formed, closed comedones that have not yet reached the surface or been exposed to oxygen are always white and can be harder to notice. When they grow larger, they may be mistaken for pimples or milia (keratin cysts).
The key difference between milia and comedones is that milia are completely enclosed under the skin, whereas a comedo always has an opening. Since milia lack a natural way to drain, they are more likely to cause scarring if not removed properly using sterile instruments. However, squeezing comedones at home is also not recommended, as it may cause the sebaceous gland to rupture inward, leading to deeper inflammation. This can easily turn a blackhead into a pimple.
Comedones typically appear during puberty and often persist into adulthood. They can form anywhere sebaceous glands are present, but they are most common on the face, neck, upper chest, and back. Unfortunately, the condition cannot be permanently cured, but with effective products and a good skincare routine, comedones can be eliminated and prevented from returning.
To treat comedones, you need high-quality, deep-acting products that cleanse, exfoliate, balance, and hydrate the skin. They must be able to dissolve the clogged material within the pores, but to prevent new comedones from forming, they should also remove dead skin cells and regulate sebum production. At the same time, they should not be overly drying, as this can trigger the sebaceous glands to produce even more sebum.
For an optimal start to treatment, it may be beneficial to visit a skincare clinic and have an experienced skin therapist perform a thorough extraction. This involves carefully going over the skin and emptying each pore using sterile tools specifically designed for this purpose. This minimizes the risk of damage, infections, and scarring.
A manual pore extraction can be a great complement to a daily skincare routine, but it is not a replacement. To maintain results after removing comedones, it is essential to continue using proper skincare products for maintenance. Otherwise, they will inevitably return.
