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If you have struggled with oily or combination skin most of your life and are now over 40, you may have noticed a series of small, insistent, pimple-like bumps with a whitish border appearing randomly on various parts of your face.
These bumps may appear to be a type of pimple, but you've probably noticed that they don't go away no matter what you do. These irritating "pimples" are a condition called sebaceous hyperplasia and are not a blackhead or blackhead. Once they appear they are extremely difficult to get rid of - that is, until now.
What is Sebaceous Hyperplasia?
Sebaceous hyperplasia is the technical name given to benign skin protuberances that form over time as a result of damage caused by a constant problem of overproduction of the sebaceous glands. This damage to the sebaceous glands produces a lumpy "crater" shape, showing a bulging yellowish-white outer edge and a sunken center. The fact that the inside of the bump is more sunken is one of the ways to recognize sebaceous hyperplasia, as opposed to the typical pimples or milliums.
It is not uncommon to find several of these bumps at once, sometimes spaced apart, but they can be clustered, too. Sebaceous hyperplasia is most often seen on the forehead and central part of the face, but can appear anywhere on the body, especially in areas where the skin has more sebaceous glands.
Sun damage accumulated over time is considered a factor in this condition, as sunlight damages the skin and sebaceous glands - one more reason to make sure you protect your skin with a well-formulated sunscreen daily!
How to get rid of Sebaceous Hyperplasia?
Treating sebaceous hyperplasia usually requires a visit to a dermatologist, but now there are also products that can be used at home to get these unsightly bumps under control and achieve smooth skin.
A dermatologist has several options for the treatment of sebaceous hyperplasia. Before you consider any of them, you need to know that, like acne, sebaceous hyperplasia cannot be cured, only controlled. The bumps can be reduced or eliminated, but the affected sebaceous gland will likely produce a new bump if you are not consistent with treatment. So even if you decide to visit a dermatologist for treatment, you'll want to make sure your home skin care routine includes products to keep these bumps at bay.
When you visit a dermatologist seeking treatment for sebaceous hyperplasia, you will be offered the following treatments, alone or in combination:
- The Exfoliants Facials - this involves the use of salicylic acid or trichloroacetic acid.
- The Electric Needle - this causes them to rupture and ooze, forming a scab that falls off in a week or so.
- Photodynamic therapy - this is a light-emitting treatment where the skin is pre-treated with a special gel that reacts with light. This often requires several visits to the medical center.
- Liquid Nitrogen - this option is risky because if it penetrates too deeply, it can leave a scar or you may lose pigment in the skin.
- Prescription Retinoid or Azelaic Acid - this treatment is intended to reduce the appearance of the lesions, but does not eliminate the problem.
- Surgical Removal of the Protuberance - this can lead to spot healing and the problem does not recur in the area removed. This is considered a last resort option.
- Anti-androgen medication - this reduces the hormone testosterone, which can be a stimulant of sebaceous gland enlargement. Examples of these medications are spironolactone or flutamide. These, like surgical suppression, are the last resort.
Note: Some bumps of sebaceous hyperplasia may resemble a type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma. Your dermatologist will need to examine the area to make an accurate diagnosis.
Best Ingredients for Sebaceous Hyperplasia
What options do we have besides visiting a dermatologist? Although treating sebaceous hyperplasia can be frustrating, there are some key products to consider.
BHA: Salicylic acid 9%: this high concentration of salicylic acid, despite its potency, remains extremely gentle due to its long-acting formula. Salicylic acid penetrates oil buildup, increases cellular exchange by exfoliating the surface of the skin as well as within the pores, unclogging those bumps and reducing inflammation, which decreases these bumps.
You may also consider products containing lower amounts of salicylic acid, but most cases of sebaceous hyperplasia do not respond as well to these lower concentrations. However, for daily maintenance, they can be extremely beneficial.
Retinol: Other products to consider are those containing Retinol. Research has shown that retinol, which is the name given to vitamin A, in skin care products or prescription drugs such as Renova or Retin-A, can also be effective in reducing sebaceous hyperplasia. Retinol works to control the overproduction of dead skin cells, which can clog the surface of the pore, and also encourages the production of normal, less dense oil.
These factors in addition to the anti-inflammatory action of retinol make it a potent choice for combining with salicylic acid in the treatment of sebaceous hyperplasia. The pairing of a BHA in high concentration and Resist Intensive Wrinkle Repair Retinol Serum, Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment, 1% Retinol Booster from Paula's Choice, or Activ Retinol 1.0 from Dermaceutic, may be just the treatment those pesky blemishes need! You can also get other retinol serums in our collection at International Cosmetic.
Niacinamide: Another skin care ingredient that may help to improve sebaceous hyperplasia is Niacinamide or vitamin B. This inter-cellular communicator ingredient offers multiple benefits to the skin, as well as reducing inflammation and oil proliferation, which accompanies sebaceous hyperplasia. Before applying a BHA + option Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment of Paula's Choice, applies a Toners rich in niacinamideas our Toners Skin Balancing Pore Reducing Toner o Resist Weightless Advanced Toner from Paula's Choice . This trio can be used once or twice a day after cleansing, reducing sebaceous hyperplasia.
Peelings? There is no peel in the world, regardless of what it claims to do or price, that can remove these bumps. Peels simply cannot reach the source of the problem of the deeper forms of sebaceous hyperplasia.
WARNING: If you try to scrub these bumps, this over-exfoliation of the skin can lead to other problems, such as dryness and irritation.
