Hello Girls!
I’m sure that each one of you had or still have a brush with comedones and significantly enlarged skin pores. I’m also certain that some of you have already dealt with this problem, whereas the others are still fighting with these skin blemishes. I used to be one of those people who struggled with this dermal problem. Luckily, I succeed and now my face looks beautiful, is smooth and clean. How did I do that? There are plenty of ways – learn them all.
Where comedones come from?
Comedones appear when sebaceous glands secrete too much sebum and epidermis exfoliates inappropriately. Sebum, dead epidermis cells and impurities clog outlets of follicles and with time they transform into aching white pimples. However, before this happens, we can notice black dots on our skin (open comedo) or small white papules (closed comedo, also known as whitehead). If you don’t get rid of them on time, they will probably transform into acne.
What types of comedones do we have?
There are two types of comedones: open and closed. The closed comedones (also called miliums) resemble papulas which are clearly marked out, are located underneath skin, are pinhead-sized and mostly affect head and cheeks. The open comedones, the ones I had to fight back although I noticed a few closed comedones on my face as well, are black spots located on nose, chin and forehead. Both types of comedones appear due to genes and for that very reason it isn’t possible to get rid of them once and for all.
How I used to remove comedones? The methods I recommend
1. Manual cleansing – a classic in terms of skin cleaning. How does such treatment look like? A beautician removes make-up and applies peeling. Then, she places a special deceive (vapozon) in front of the face. This tool produces water steam which aim is to soften skin and open its pores. After approximately 10 minutes a beautician removes impurities and, at the end of the treatment, she disinfects skin. In order to soothe the adverse effects of the treatment (i.e. reddened face, delicately prickly skin) a special algae mask is applied. To be honest, I often used to expose my face to this treatment but I went over to less invasive and more effective methods targeting acne.
2. Cavitation peeling – probably this isn’t the most effective treatment on the world, but I consider it as an excellent introduction to other beauty treatments. This procedure depends on removing comedones due to ultrasounds. A beautician uses a device emitting ultrasound waves of high frequency. If you, girls, want to keep skin condition in a high level, you should undergone cavitation peeling treatment at least once a month.
3. Chemical peeling – an advanced and effective skin care method. After having undergone the series of treatments recently, I’m genuinely happy about the effects the procedure delivered. Not only is my skin freed from comedones but also the discolorations become lightened up, the fine lines seem to be less visible, and the entire face skin is smoother and more taut. In my opinion, the best acid used for chemical peeling treatment is mandelic acid. It can be used both in the autumn and winter, it delivers immediate effects that last really long.
What about make-up and its removal?
I’ve found a marvellous way of camouflaging comedones and enlarged skin pores. I apply a silicone make-up primer that smooths skin and hides imperfections. Then I go with a highlighting foundation and a loose mineral powder. Of course, make-up removal is also crucial. Remember to cleanse skin really well (free your face skin from impurities, dust, colour cosmetics). Otherwise you will notice acne and your skin pores even more clogged.
How a beautician removed my comedones?
There are a few methods to do this. I decided to go for exfoliating acids because this treatment also delivers other effects, which I’ve mentioned above. The beautician applied two acids to my face: lactic (boosts penetration of the remaining substances through skin layers) and mandelic acid (again, mentioned above). I underwent the series of four treatments carried out every three weeks, yet I could notice the first effects already after the first visit at a beauty parlour’s. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth exposing your face to the action of acids, let me tell you this: Don’t hesitate because exfoliating acid treatment is really effective.
Another way of cleansing skin pores is microdermabrasion. Epidermis is removed due to a special device featuring either a diamond or corundum head. What are the effects to achieve? Skin becomes smoother and more firm, discolorations are lightened up and fine lines are less visible. It’s fairly common for microdermabrasion to be accompanied with other treatments, e.g. fruity acids or cavitation peeling. You can have this procedure carried out both in a beauty salon and an aesthetic medicine clinic. If you decide to visit a beauty salon you can expect the procedure to be performed by a beautician, and the treatment itself is more gentle in its action, whereas while undergoing the procedure in a clinic, you can be sure that the outcomes will be more successful. After all it’s a specialist (frequently a doctor) who carries out procedures in a clinic.
For removing comedones and improving skin condition you can also go for laser. The light emitted by the device cleanses skin pores, evens skin tone, smooths skin and removes all the blemishes your face skin happens to feature. After the treatment skin might be irritated; also you might notice a tiny scabs appearing in the very place where the comedones used to be. For that reason, it’s advised against applying make-up until the side effects of the lasertherapy ease off completely.
How I tried to remove comedones on my own?
Of course, I’ve been using plenty of cosmetics which were supposed to unclog skin pores. Some of them worked better, others worse, there were also products which didn’t work at all. I used mainly products with vitamin B3, retinol, vitamin E and fruity acid content. Additionally, I’ve been using sunscreens because some of the substances could be photosensitive, which means that they might leave skin discoloured if exposed to the sun. Moreover, the products I applied to combat comedones and enlarged skin pores had to contain soothing substances such as panthenol or allantoin as well as exfoliating substances, antibacterial agents and ingredients which were responsible for regulating sebaceous gland work.
My all-time fav cosmetic that was, is and always will be standing on my bathroom shelf is a face scrub. The one I use features abrasive particles which don’t irritate skin and are really good at removing all kinds of impurities. Interchangeably with face scrub I use exfoliating creams. They are really cool because they feature fruity acids that target comedones, discolorations and fine lines. Additionally, I make use of face masks featuring lightening up and cleansing clays. However, I apply the mask only to the skin areas affected by comedones. The remaining face parts are treated by moisturising products.
How does your fight against comedones look like? Leave comments. Kisses!
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