Álex Docampo, dermatologist – “Those blackheads you see on your nose are not acne or dirt, and if you pull them out with strips you only damage your skin”

Rituals for easy skincare are becoming more fashionable, both among women and men. The problem lies in the incorrect use of products or in self-diagnoses that can end poorly. There are many cases of people who confuse blackheads with sebaceous filaments; do you know what I’m referring to? Those points on the nose, which, beyond being dirt, are the skin’s natural oils. The problem arises when aggressive products are applied, such as strips that supposedly ‘pull out’ those filaments.

According to dermatologist Alex Docampo, this practice is not healthy for the skin. There is another method to reduce the accumulation of the skin’s natural oils in the pores, which involves exfoliation and the use of salicylic acid, retinol, or retinoids. Institutions like the Cleveland Clinic corroborate the benefits of using salicylic acid, as do studies published in Biomedical Dermatology, which confirm its effectiveness on skin prone to visible pores or comedones.

Sebaceous filaments

Sebaceous filaments are completely normal structures of the skin. However, living in a world where everyone wants porcelain-like skin, people try to remove them by any means. However, their function is to help transport sebum within the pores, from the sebaceous glands to the surface of the skin. They are not an obstruction; rather, they help keep the skin hydrated and protected.

Problems getting rid of them

For those people who believe that sebaceous filaments can be removed or pulled out, they cannot. Many people confuse them with blackheads and resort to aggressive methods for the skin, such as the famous strips that ‘rip’ out the dirt. As we have explained, this is not dirt, but rather clusters of oil from the skin itself. It is important that before starting to use any skincare product, one consults a dermatologist, as many people make mistakes in self-diagnosing and end up facing worse consequences.

Ask your dermatologist first

Many healthcare professionals use their social media profiles to create informative content. This is the case of dermatologist Alex Docampo, who discusses this topic in one of his videos, “Most people put a strip on their nose, rip it off, and think they have solved the problem. But in a few days, the blackheads are back, and on top of that, you will have damaged the layer of natural oils that protects your skin.” Docampo explains that to reduce the appearance of oil on our skin, we must follow these simple facial care steps:

1. Gentle exfoliation: daily, in the morning and at night. It will help remove dead cells without irritating the skin.
2. Use exfoliating acids: such as salicylic acid, which can enter the pore and dissolve the oil.
3. Use retinoids: start gradually with a gentle retinol at a concentration of 0.3%, several 2 or 3 nights a week. As the skin gets used to it, the frequency can be increased.

The result is cleaner, less visible pores, and above all, healthier skin,” concludes Docampo.

Salicylic acid, the perfect ally

There are many studies that support the effectiveness and benefits of salicylic acid on the skin. The Cleveland Clinic highlights its ability to keep skin pores clean due to its capacity to dissolve natural oil. Biomedical Dermatology has also published studies confirming its efficacy on skin that tends to be oily or combination, with visible pores or comedones. As for retinoids, such as retinol, they are considered the most reliable option for reducing pore obstruction and improving the epidermis.