What is the most effective method for removing closed comedones?

Aug 31, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Wenmin

Introduction

Generally speaking, there is no single "most effective method to remove closed comedones." Closed comedones may form due to various factors such as genetics, poor lifestyle habits, excessive androgen secretion, obstructed sebum discharge, or infection with Propionibacterium acnes. Treatment options for removing closed comedones typically include medications, comedone extractors, chemical peels (such as glycolic acid), photodynamic therapy, and microneedling.

Generally speaking, there is no single "most effective method for removing closed comedones." Closed comedones may form due to various factors such as genetics, poor lifestyle habits, excessive androgen secretion, blocked sebum excretion, or infection with *Cutibacterium acnes*. Common methods for treating closed comedones include medication, comedone extractors, chemical peels (such as glycolic acid), photodynamic therapy, and microneedling.

Causes of Closed Comedones:

Cause

Genetics

Poor Lifestyle Habits

Excessive Androgen Secretion

Blocked Sebum Excretion

*Cutibacterium acnes* Infection

Analysis

Some patients have a family history related to closed comedones.

Staying up late, high stress levels, and diets high in sugar and fat can promote the formation of closed comedones.

Excessive hormone secretion leads to increased sebum production, resulting in closed comedones.

Poor sebum drainage causes accumulation and forms closed comedones.

Bacteria break down sebum, produce inflammatory factors, and trigger inflammatory responses.

Solutions

1. Comedone extractor

2. Microneedling

1. Avoid staying up late

2. Use comedone extractor

1. Take hormonal regulators such as diethylstilbestrol tablets or compound estradiol tablets under medical supervision

2. Glycolic acid peel

1. Use medications like salicylic acid ointment or adapalene gel as directed by a doctor to accelerate skin metabolism

2. Microneedling

3. Glycolic acid peel

1. Glycolic acid peel

2. Photodynamic therapy

Analysis of Treatment Methods for Closed Comedones:

Procedure Name	Comedone Extractor	Glycolic Acid Peel	Photodynamic Therapy	Microneedling
Reference Image
Description	Use sterilized comedone extractor to remove sebum plugs and squeeze out contents	Removes dead skin cells from the stratum corneum and promotes skin cell turnover	Uses specific wavelengths of light to generate reactive oxygen species that destroy abnormal cells	Punctures closed comedones to increase skin permeability and allow trapped substances to be expelled
Target Population	General population	Individuals with closed comedones	Patients with moderate to severe cystic or conglobate acne	Those with excessive sebum production leading to clogged pores
Reference Price	30–100 CNY per session	1,000–3,000 CNY per session	2,000–5,000 CNY per session	2,000–6,000 CNY per session
Advantages	1. Low cost	1. High safety profile 2. Minimal skin damage	1. Effective results 2. High safety 3. Promotes overall skin health	1. Enhances skin repair 2. Minimal wounds
Disadvantages	1. Risk of infection	1. May cause allergic reactions 2. May impair skin's immune function	1. Limited applicability 2. Risk of allergic reactions	1. Risk of infection 2. Redness (erythema)