Most people mistake these for blackheads

@draleksandrabrown

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SoundTikTok sound · original sound - Dr. Aleksandra Brown

Promoted product

CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser

Why it worked

The video addresses a common skin concern (visible pores/dots on the nose) with a clear, step-by-step solution presented by a dermatologist. It debunks a common misconception and offers actionable advice, making it informative and relatable.

Summary

This video explains that the small dots on the nose are often sebaceous filaments, not blackheads, and are a normal part of skin. It provides a four-step routine to minimize their appearance: using a salicylic acid cleanser, alternating between a salicylic acid toner and a retinoid at night, applying a weekly sulfur or clay mask, and using a niacinamide serum for oily skin. The video also advises against pore strips, harsh scrubs, and DIY masks.

Structure

1Introduction to sebaceous filaments vs. blackheads
2Explanation of what sebaceous filaments are and that they are normal
3Step 1: Salicylic Acid Cleanser
4Step 2: Alternate Salicylic Acid Toner + Retinol/Tretinoin

Original caption

Those tiny dots on your nose aren't always blackheads. More often than not, they're sebaceous filaments, completely normal collections of oil inside your pores. They can't be permanently removed because they'll naturally refill over time. Instead of trying to eliminate them, focus on minimizing their appearance with: ✔️ Salicylic acid to clear oil from pores ✔️ A retinoid to keep pores from becoming clogged ✔️ A weekly sulfur or clay mask to absorb excess oil ✔️ Niacinamide if you have oily skin Skip the pore strips and harsh scrubs. They may make your skin look smoother for a day or two, but they can also leave your skin irritated and compromise your barrier. Have you been treating sebaceous filaments like blackheads? Let me know in the comments. ⬇️ #SebaceousFilaments #Blackheads #CloggedPores #OilySkin #SkincareTips

More from @draleksandrabrown

On-screen text

Most people mistake these for blackheads they say not to exfoliate your face every day, but this is my skin after not exfoliating for 1 day. THAT IS NOT DEAD SKIN. THOSE ARE SEBACEOUS SEB tiny SEBACEOUS FILAMENTS = tiny collections of oil inside your pores ARE THESE TINY, little collections of OIL INSIDE YOUR PORES. WE ALL HAVE THEM. THEY'RE COMPLETELY NORMAL. More oil buildup = More noticeable BUT WHEN THE OIL BUILDS UP, THEY BECOME MORE PROMINENT, ESPECIALLY ON YOUR NOSE and your chin. Goal = Minimize, not eliminate SO THE GOAL ISN'T TO COMPLETELY REMOVE THEM CAUSE YOU CAN'T. THEY'RE GONNA KEEP THE GOAL IS TO MINIMIZE THE APPEARANCE SO HERE'S THE EXACT ROUTINE I RECOMMEND FOR SEBACEOUS FILAMENTS AS A DERMATOLOGIST. STEP 1 Salicylic Acid Cleanser YOU'RE GOING TO USE A SALICYLIC ACID CLEANSER. SALICYLIC ACID IS OIL-SOLUBLE BETA HYDROXY ACID. Helps dissolve oil inside the pores IT GOES INSIDE THE PORES TO HELP DISSOLVE AND MINIMIZE PRODUCTION OF OIL. STEP 2 Alternate Salicylic Acid Toner + Retinol/Tretinoin FOR YOUR NIGHTTIME ROUTINE, YOU'RE GONNA ALTERNATE TWO PRODUCTS. ONE IS A SALICYLIC ACID TONER ON THE OTHER NIGHT YOU'RE GONNA USE A RETINOL OR TRETINOIN. Can you layer them? Yes... if you have • Very oily skin • Very tolerant skin SURE, IF YOU HAVE REALLY TOLERANT OR REALLY OILY SKIN. BUT FOR MOST OF US THAT'S NOT GONNA THE RETINOIDS IN YOUR NIGHTTIME SKINCARE ROUTINE ARE INCREASING CELL TURNOVER RATE SO THE PORES DON'T GET CLOGGED. STEP 3 Weekly Sulfur (or Clay) Mask When you start sulfur mask twice weekly and realize your sebaceous filaments are invisible. I WOULD ADD A SULFUR MASK THAT HELPS ABSORB ANY EXCESS OIL. A CLAY MASK HERE WOULD ALSO WORK. STEP 4 (Oily Skin) Niacinamide Serum 2%-5% AND IF YOU'RE SUPER OILY, ADDING NIACINAMIDE ANYWHERE FROM 2 TO 5% CAN HELP MINIMIZE SOME OF THE OIL PRODUCTION. AVOID X X • Pore strips • Harsh scrubs • DIY sebaceous filament masks SKIP THE PORE STRIPS. SKIP THE HARSH SCRUBS. AND DEFINITELY SKIP THE AT HOME DIY SEBACEOUS FILAMENT MASK. WHILE THEY CAN HELP OF SEBACEOUS LIKE A DAY OR TWO, THEY CAN ALSO INCREASE THE RISK OF BARRIER DISRUPTION. LET ME KNOW IN WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCT TO GET RID OF SEBACEOUS FILAMENTS? AND FOLLOW FOR MORE DERMATOLOGIST-APPROVED SKINCARE TIPS.

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