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If you've struggled with oily or combination skin for most of your life and are now over 40, you may have noticed a series of small, insistent bumps, similar to a pimple with a whitish edge, appearing randomly on various parts of your face.
These bumps may appear to be a type of pimples, but you've probably noticed that they don't go away no matter what you do. These irritating "pimples" are a disorder called sebaceous hyperplasia and are not a pimple or blackhead. Once they appear it is extremely difficult to get rid of them — that is, until now.
What is Sebaceous Hyperplasia?
Sebaceous hyperplasia is the technical name given to benign bumps on the skin that form over time as a result of damage caused by a constant problem of overproduction of the sebaceous glands. These damages to the sebaceous glands produce a bulging "crater" shape, showing a bulging white-yellowish 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, different from typical pimples or milliums.
It is not uncommon to find several of these bumps at once, sometimes spaced apart, but they can be grouped together, too. Sebaceous hyperplasia is most often seen on the forehead and central part of the face, but it 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?
The treatment of sebaceous hyperplasia generally requires a visit to the 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 treating 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 oil 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 at-home skin care routine includes products to keep these bumps at bay.
When you visit a dermatologist looking for a treatment for sebaceous hyperplasia, you will be offered the following treatments, alone or in combination:
- Facial Scrubs — this involves the use of salicylic acid or trichloroacetic acid.
- The Electric Needle — this causes them to break down 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 can lose the pigment in your skin.
- Prescription Retinoid or Azelaic Acid — this treatment is intended to reduce the appearance of the lesions, but does not eliminate the problem.
- Surgical Excision of the Bump — this can lead to punctual healing and the problem does not recur in the excised area. This is considered an option of last resort.
- Antiandrogen Medication — this reduces the hormone testosterone, which can stimulate enlarged sebaceous glands. Examples of these medications are spironolactone or flutamide . This, like surgical removal, are last resorts.
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.
The Best Ingredients for Sebaceous Hyperplasia
What options do we have other than visiting a dermatologist? Although treating sebaceous hyperplasia can be frustrating, there are some key products to consider.
BHA: 9% Salicylic Acid: This high concentration of salicylic acid, despite its potency, is still extremely gentle due to its long-acting formula. Salicylic acid penetrates oil buildup, increases cell exchange by exfoliating the surface of the skin, as well as inside the pores, unclogging those bumps and reducing inflammation, which decreases these bumps.
You can also consider products that contain 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 that contain Retinol . Research has shown that retinol, which is the name given to vitamin A, in skin care products or prescription medications such as Renova or Retin-A, may 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, not-so-dense oil.
These factors, in addition to the anti-inflammatory action of retinol, make it a powerful option to combine with salicylic acid in the treatment of sebaceous hyperplasia. Pairing a high-concentration BHA with 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 the treatment these annoying blemishes need! You can also get other serums with retinol in our International Cosmetic collection.
Niacinamide: Another skin care ingredient that can help 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 fat proliferation, that accompanies sebaceous hyperplasia. Before applying the Paula's Choice BHA + Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment option, apply a niacinamide-rich toner , such as our Skin Balancing Pore Reducing Toner or Paula's Choice Resist Weightless Advanced Toner . This trio can be used once or twice a day after cleansing, reducing sebaceous hyperplasia.
Peels?: There is no exfoliant in the world, regardless of what it says it does or price, that can remove those bumps. Peels simply cannot reach the source of the problem of deeper forms of sebaceous hyperplasia.
WARNING: If you try to abruptly scrub these bumps, this over-exfoliation of the skin can lead to other problems, such as dryness and irritation.
