Those tiny dark dots on your nose are not always blackheads. Many of them are sebaceous filaments, a completely normal part of every pore. In this guide to blackheads vs sebaceous filaments, you will learn how to tell them apart in seconds, why one keeps coming back, and what dermatologists suggest for each, before you watch a gloved, close-up extraction clip on page 2.
If you are new to the topic, start with the colour, the feel and the pattern of the dots. Those three clues answer the question for most people, and they save you from squeezing something that was never a problem. For a wider look at treatment, see our full guide on how to get rid of blackheads.
What Are Blackheads?
Blackheads are a mild form of acne, known medically as open comedones. They form when a pore gets clogged with a mix of sebum (your skin’s natural oil) and dead skin cells. Because the top of the pore stays open, the plug is exposed to air and darkens. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, that black dot is not dirt, which is why scrubbing harder does not make blackheads disappear and can even irritate your skin further.
Blackheads usually show up in oily areas such as the nose, chin, forehead and sometimes the back or chest. They tend to feel slightly raised and firm, and they can slowly grow larger when they are left alone. That is exactly why blackhead extraction videos are so popular: a dark plug that has been building for months often comes out in one satisfying piece. Left untreated, a blackhead can also become inflamed and turn into a red, tender pimple. If you are unsure how an inflamed spot differs from a deeper one, our guide to cystic acne vs pimple helps.
What Are Sebaceous Filaments?
Sebaceous filaments are thin, thread-like structures that line the inside of your pores. Their job is to guide sebum from the oil gland up to the surface of your skin, which helps keep skin soft and hydrated. Everyone has them. They are most visible on the nose, but you will also find them on the chin, forehead and cheeks, especially if your skin is on the oily side.
They become more noticeable when your oil glands produce extra sebum, when pores look larger with age, or when you have thicker hair follicles. The Cleveland Clinic also notes that harsh over-washing and too much sun can dry out skin, so the glands work harder. Unlike blackheads, sebaceous filaments are flat, light grey or yellowish, and they are not acne at all. Visible filaments are not a sign that your skin is dirty or that you are washing it wrong.
Blackheads vs Sebaceous Filaments at a Glance
| Blackhead | Sebaceous filament | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A type of acne (open comedone) | A normal part of every pore |
| Colour | Black or dark brown | Grey, yellow, tan or almost clear |
| Feel | Slightly raised, firm plug | Flat and smooth |
| Pattern | Scattered, individual dots | Even grid of tiny dots, mostly on the nose |
| After extraction | Can heal and stay gone | Refills within weeks |
Still not sure what you are looking at? The video on the next page is a close-up extraction session from our archive, so you can see what real skin plugs look like when they come out and compare them with the table above.
