Collagen Banking: How to Invest in Your Skin’s Future

Collagen is the unsung hero of youthful, healthy skin. Often referred to as the “building block” of our skin, collagen is a structural protein that provides firmness, elasticity, and strength. However, starting in our mid-20s, our body’s natural collagen production begins to decline, leading to wrinkles, sagging, and a loss of that coveted youthful glow. This is where the concept of collagen banking comes in—a proactive approach to preserving and boosting collagen levels to keep your skin looking its best for years to come.

In this blog, I’ll explore three key strategies to “bank” collagen effectively: skincare, treatments, and lifestyle.

1. Skincare: Building Your Collagen Portfolio

Your daily skincare routine plays a foundational role in collagen preservation and production. Here are some essential steps and products to include:

a. Sunscreen: Your Anti-Collagen Loss Shield

UV radiation is the leading cause of collagen degradation. Wearing a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day—yes, even on cloudy days or indoors near windows—protects your skin from collagen-damaging UVA and UVB rays.

b. Topical Retinols: Collagen Stimulators

Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that stimulate fibroblasts, the cells responsible for collagen production. Over time, regular use of retinol can improve skin texture, reduce fine lines, and boost elasticity.

c. Vitamin C: The Collagen Guardian

Vitamin C serums are powerful antioxidants that not only protect existing collagen from oxidative damage but also play a critical role in collagen synthesis. Apply it in the morning for added protection against environmental stressors.

d. Peptides: Collagen Boosters

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that signal your skin to produce more collagen. Incorporating peptide-rich creams or serums can be a game-changer for maintaining skin resilience.

e. Hydration: Supportive Care

Proper hydration, through hyaluronic acid serums and moisturisers, supports the collagen matrix, preventing the skin from looking thin or dehydrated.

2. Treatments: Supercharging Your Collagen Reserves

Professional treatments can provide a more targeted and intensive boost to your collagen levels. These procedures work by stimulating the skin’s natural repair processes or delivering active ingredients deep into the dermis. Here are some of the most effective collagen-enhancing treatments:

a. Microneedling

Microneedling involves the use of tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin, triggering the body’s natural wound-healing process and stimulating collagen production. When combined with serums like growth factors or PRP (platelet-rich plasma), the results can be even more impressive.

b. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

While primarily known for targeting pigmentation and redness, IPL treatments also stimulate collagen production by heating the deeper layers of the skin. The result is smoother, firmer skin with improved texture and tone over time.

c. Radiofrequency

Treatments like Radiofrequency use heat to tighten the skin and stimulate collagen production deep within the dermis. These are particularly effective for lifting and firming sagging areas.

d. Exosomes

Exosomes are tiny, cell-derived messengers packed with growth factors and regenerative molecules. When applied with treatments such as microneedling, they supercharge the skins healing process and significantly boost collagen production, leading to faster, more dramatic results.

3. Lifestyle: Daily Habits for Long-Term Gains

What you do outside the treatment room is just as important as the skincare products you use or the treatments you undergo. Your lifestyle choices can significantly influence your body’s ability to produce and maintain collagen.

a. Nutrition: Feeding Your Collagen Factory
• Protein-Rich Foods: Collagen is made of amino acids like glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, which you can find in lean meats, fish, eggs, and bone broth.
• Vitamin C-Rich Foods: Citrus fruits, bell peppers, and strawberries help boost collagen synthesis.
• Zinc and Copper: Found in shellfish, nuts, and seeds, these minerals are crucial for collagen production.
• Antioxidants: Leafy greens, berries, and green tea combat oxidative stress, protecting collagen stores.

b. Supplements: Bridging the Gap

Hydrolyzed collagen supplements have been shown to improve skin elasticity and hydration while supporting the body’s natural collagen synthesis. Look for products with added vitamin C and hyaluronic acid for maximum benefit.

c. Stress Management: Protect Your Collagen Reserves

Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, which can break down collagen over time. Practices like mindfulness, yoga, and regular exercise help keep stress in check.

d. Avoid Smoking and Excess Alcohol

Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption accelerate collagen breakdown by increasing oxidative stress and reducing blood flow to the skin.

e. Sleep: Repair and Replenish

Collagen production peaks during deep sleep. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night, and consider using a silk pillowcase to minimize friction and prevent skin creasing.

Why Start Collagen Banking Early?

Think of collagen banking as an investment in your future skin health. The earlier you start, the more reserves you’ll have to draw on as natural production slows with age. Even if you’re already seeing signs of aging, it’s never too late to adopt these strategies and boost your collagen levels.

Conclusion

Collagen banking is a holistic approach that combines skincare, professional treatments, and healthy lifestyle choices to preserve and enhance your skin’s natural strength and elasticity. By incorporating these strategies into your routine, you’re not just fighting the visible signs of aging—you’re proactively ensuring that your skin remains vibrant, youthful, and resilient for years to come.

Ready to start your collagen banking journey? Contact us today for a personalised consultation, and let’s build your skin’s future together! Book your consultation here

Case Study: Treating Acne – A skin Transformation!

Our lovely client came to us with persistent adult acne, a struggle she had faced since her teenage years. Despite trying various products and treatments, she felt like nothing made a noticeable difference. Feeling frustrated and at a loss for solutions, she decided to seek professional help.

Now, three years later, her skin has undergone a remarkable transformation!

Through a tailored combination of reparative treatments, targeted therapies, and a consistent, personalised skincare regimen, we were able to clear her skin and restore her natural glow. Today, her complexion is nearly flawless, with only the occasional hormonal breakout—a far cry from where she started.

The Journey:
– Initial Concerns: Severe adult acne, persistent breakouts, and ongoing skin irritation.
– Our Approach:
– Customised repair treatments to address underlying skin damage.
– Acne-targeted treatments to reduce active breakouts and prevent new ones.
– A personalised, consistent at-home skincare routine to maintain results and promote long-term skin health

Results:
– Clear, glowing skin with minimal breakouts.
– Reduced scarring and evened-out skin tone.
– Restored skin confidence!

Adult acne can be incredibly frustrating, especially when it feels like nothing works. But as this client’s journey shows, with the right treatment plan and expert care, clear, healthy skin is possible!

The Ultimate Guide to Teen Skincare: Expert tips for Healthy, Confident Skin

The obsession with skincare amongst teens definitely signifies a shift where self-care and appearance are being valued higher than ever before. Social media platforms have a lot to play in this with influencers constantly promoting skincare making it seem more and more accessible.
There is both a positive and negative impact of this trend, the increased awareness about skincare is great, as getting into good habits early will really future-proof the skin. However, there seems to be a pressure to have the ‘perfect’ skin, and thus teen are adopting complex skincare regimes with a view to achieve the unachievable, and very often damaging their skin in the process.

What a Teens skincare routine should look like
A teens skincare routine should be simple yet effective, there are many teenagers now being led by social media and introducing multiple unnecessary products into their regime.

The focus should be skin health maintenance, and preventing issues like acne without overloading or striping the skin.

Generally a teens skincare regime should consist of a gentle cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen. All formulated for their specific skin type and condition. If they are dealing with a skin condition such as acne then a specific treatment product may be introduced, but always get advice. It’s when the teens start guessing or following TikTok trends that things can get messy.

A skincare routine should be followed both morning and night, to both remove any impurities, pollution, and makeup from the day, and to remove sweat and waste products that are secreted from the skin at night.

Managing Oily or Acne-prone skin
Oily and acne skins need to firstly ascertain their skin type, acne can affect dry skins also, so using products that are designed for an acne skin can very often dry the skin out, exacerbating the condition.
If the skin is oily then look for a gentle salicylic cleanser that can be alternated with a normal cleanser so not to over treat the skin. Non-comedogenic products will help reduce the potential of breakouts from a certain product. Clay masks are also great for absorbing excess oil and purifying the skin.

What Products Should Teenagers Avoid
Products teenagers should avoid are the high-concentration retinoids, especially the prescription strength as these can be far too harsh for their skins. Physical exfoliants are also a no-no, these are very often used too aggressively and can really damage the skin causing micro-tears in the epidermis. A mild chemical exfoliant, like lactic acid and salicylic are better.
Alcohol based toners, can give that squeaky clean feel to the skin I know many teens are looking for, however this is just an indication that the skin has been stripped of its natural oils, and this can lead to further breakouts.

Must-Have School Skincare Staples
Some school staples in terms of skincare are, a good compact SPF to reapply throughout those bright sunny days, even in winter. Blotting papers are great for absorbing excess oils and taking the shine away, as well as a spot treatment that can be applied to any blemishes whilst at school. If a teen is dealing with dry skin, then a moisturising or hydrating mist to give a little relief through the day is also beneficial.

What Should Parents do if Their Teen Has Severe Acne
For any parents dealing with a teenager with severe acne it’s imperative to seek professional advice. Severe acne not only a medical condition, but can very often be treated differently on different people. In many cases it’s a case of management rather than clearing it up altogether.
Taking a proactive but supportive approach to help their teen manage the condition, can improve both their skin and emotional well-being.

Here at re/skin we see many Teens, we focus on educating them on why their skin is behaving this way, put them on a simple but effective skincare regime and if necessary see them regularly for treatments to further manage their skin.

If you have or are a Teen looking for help with your skin, our Teen facials are for you. Your first treatment will last around 1.5 hour and you will receive a full size cleanser to take away with you to get you on the road to healthier skin. You can book your appointment here or drop us an email with any questions you may have, we are dedicated to ‘changing lives one skin at a time’ and would love to help you with yours!

Skin Diagnostics – A Balanced Perspective

In the ever evolving world of skincare, staying ahead with innovative solutions is crucial. Boots, a leading pharmacy chain, has recently launched a skin condition diagnostic app that promises to revolutionise how we approach skin health. Although this app offers some advantages in terms of ease and accessibility, it also comes with some drawbacks.

Our founder Rebecca explores both sides to give a balanced perspective on whether this is right for you and your skin concerns.

Benefits

Quick and convenient. This first thing that does stand out about the app is its efficiency. Users can quickly assess their skin condition with convenience, great for those with busy schedules.

User-Friendly. Deigned with simplicity in mind, it is user friendly and easy to navigate.

Affordable. Cost can very often be a barrier to seeking professional advice. This is a cheap alternative to traditional dermatological consultations making it accessible to everyone.

Professional collaboration. A strong point is its partnership with medical professionals. This ensures the advice and guidance is based on medical knowledge and protocols.

Discreet and private. For many discussing their skin conditions can be an uncomfortable experience. The app offers a discreet way to seek advice, which can be beneficial for those that feel embarrassed about their skin issues.

The Drawbacks

A lack of comprehensive questioning. While the app provides quick assessments, it falls short of gathering detailed information about the users family history, diet, and lifestyle factors. These elements are all crucial in understanding and diagnosing skin conditions accurately, and this omission can lead to incomplete assessments that can be the key to treating a condition successfully.

A focus on medication. Another significant limitation is the app’s apparent focus on prescriptive medication as the primary treatment option. While medication can be effective, it’ not suitable for everyone and for all conditions. Not all individuals want to go down the medical route, by not offering a broader range of treatment suggestions the app may alienate users would would rather seek alternatives.

Conclusion

Here at re/skin our consultations last around 1 hour, this allows a comprehensive approach, taking into account all factors that can impact the skin. By spending this time with our clients at the beginning allows us to not only get to know our clients and how they feel about their skin, but to build a trusting relationship that really is the foundation of getting great results.

In the world of skincare, no single solution works for everyone, it’s not a one size fits all. We need the time to navigate the whole picture when it comes to skin health, this can’t be done with just a photo and a few generalised questions.

It’s about finding the right tools and resources that suit your individual needs, and yes, this app will be right for some people that are seeking a quick, convenient and affordable way to get professional advice. However, it is important to be aware of its limitations and seek other professional services when necessary, especially as the evidence for a holistic approach to skin health becomes more and more apparent in this fast paced industry.

As always, re/skin is here to support you in navigating these options to achieving the healthiest skin possible. If you would like to explore our options or book your skin health consultation then please either give the clinic a call on 0114 236 2393 or book online here.

The Impact of Stress on your Skin – Understanding the Connection

In our fast-paced world, stress has become an unavoidable part of daily life for many of us. From work pressures to personal challenges, stress can take a toll not just on our mental well-being but also on our skin.

Our founder Rebecca Elsdon recently contributed to an article in a leading industry magazine Professional Beauty, on the connection of stress and stress related skin conditions. Read here.

Understanding how stress affects the skin is crucial for maintaining healthy, glowing skin and overall well-being.

Here are several ways in which stress can affect the skin:

1. Increased Sensitivity and Irritation: Stress triggers the release of cortisol and other stress hormones, which can make the skin more reactive and sensitive. This can lead to increased redness, irritation, and discomfort.

2. Acne Breakouts: Stress can exacerbate acne by stimulating the production of sebum (skin oil) and inflammation. This can result in more frequent and severe breakouts, especially for individuals prone to acne.

3. Accelerated Ageing: Chronic stress can accelerate the ageing process of the skin. It can lead to the breakdown of collagen and elastin, which are essential for skin elasticity and firmness. This may result in wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin appearing earlier.

4. Impaired Skin Barrier Function: Stress can compromise the skin’s natural barrier function, making it more susceptible to moisture loss and environmental irritants. This can lead to dryness, flakiness, and a weakened ability to protect against pollutants and pathogens.

5. Delayed Wound Healing: Stress can interfere with the body’s ability to heal wounds and skin injuries efficiently. This can manifest as slower recovery from cuts, bruises, or other skin trauma.

6. Skin Conditions Flare-ups: For individuals with existing skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea, stress can trigger flare-ups or worsen existing symptoms due to immune system deregulation and increased inflammation.

7. Hair and Nail Problems: Stress can also impact hair and nails. It may lead to hair loss, thinning, or dullness, as well as brittle nails.

Managing stress through relaxation techniques, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and a balanced diet can help mitigate its impact on the skin. Additionally, establishing a skincare routine that includes gentle products suitable for sensitive or stressed skin can provide relief and support skin health during stressful periods.

The impact that stress can have on health and appearance is significant. By managing stress effectively through lifestyle changes and self care practices, we can safeguard our skins health and radiance.

Remember taking care of your metal wellbeing is just as important as caring for your skin. It’s an holistic approach that benefits both body and mind.

So, next time you feel stressed, prioritise self-care and give your skin the love and attention it deserves!

If you are ready to give your skin some love, then why not book in a consultation to start your skincare-selfcare journey. On Saturday 18th May we are holding a Skin Discovery Day where we are offering complimentary mini consultations. Book here

Read the Professional Beauty article here

Skin Cancer Awareness Month

The month of May is Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness Month, and as you can imagine this is always on our radar here at re/skin. Not only do we harp on about the effects of sun in regard to skin functioning and ageing but there is, as I am sure you are already aware a more serious risk to the skin from sun exposure.

85% of melanoma cases are caused by UV exposure.

If you have had a blistering sunburn or just five regular sunburns your risk more than doubles.

Our skin is a regenerating organ which means our skin cells continually reproduce, grow and divide, then shed to become house dust!

Sometimes our cell’s DNA become damaged, this is called a mutation. Because our cells reproduce by mitosis, where replica cells are formed, these mutations are passed onto the new cells that follow. This causes the mutations to spread and proliferate and can eventually lead to skin cancers.

UV rays are responsible for many of the mutations to skin cell DNA, so a good sun protection regime is vital to prevent this. Its important to protect your skin every single day throughout your life, and to avoid over exposure such as laying in the midday sun whilst on holiday or using sunbeds. In fact using a sunbed is 3 times more dangerous than sitting in the natural sun.

When using sun protection it Is important to look for a broad spectrum protection, meaning it filters both UVA and UVB rays. Some sunscreens will just contain UVB filters.

These days many sunscreens will also protect against blue light, this light is also detrimental to the skin and not just emitted by our devices, it comes from the sun too!

Here at re/skin clinic in Sheffield we know how hard it can be to find a sunscreen that you love, and yes, you need to love it or there will be days you just wont apply. That’s why we have over 20 options on our shelves! Do you need helping finding the perfect one??

Drop us an email and we can help you.

To squeeze or not to squeeze, what do we do about spots being squeezed?

Spots being squeezed

The subject on today’s agenda is acne and spots being squeezed. I get asked if they should be squeezed a lot, and since I’ve done several extractions this week I felt this is a perfect time to give you a little advice on this.

What do we commonly do with spots?

I realise the worst thing in the world is having to walk out the door with a great big whopping white head on your face. Not only does it look bad but it can affect your short term mental health, making it hard to enjoy your day.

So, what’s the alternative. Often it’s spending 10 minutes in front the mirror squeezing the hell out of said white head, removing all the pus with the hope of making it disappear. In truth, all you do is replace the spot with a massive, inflamed weeping crater that is equally as hard to cover up with makeup.

What causes a spot?

Spots are caused by several factors, including hormones, genetics and the environment. The most common cause is hormones and acne is often the result of too much sebum production in the skin. In simpler terms, acne is when the pores are clogged with oil and dead skin cells. These clogged pores are called blackheads or whiteheads. The bacteria in the skin then produce an inflammatory response which leads to redness, swelling and pus production.

In regards to spots being squeezed there’s no real medical benefit, but it’s just so hard to not want to squeeze the hell out of them.

What can we do?

So, what sort of spots can we get away with squeezing and which ones do we need to leave well alone?

If the spot is inflamed, red, painful, has no whitehead leave well alone. All you will do is make that area of your face sore and painful to touch. When I’ve squeezed these in the past, I find myself touching and poking it for hours afterwards to see if it’s weeping or still painful.
Small non-inflamed whiteheads are ok to have a quick squeeze. But make sure your going to go for it, get all the pus out. If it becomes inflamed leave it alone.

The Method

Ideally, we want to leave them all alone, but I realise this is near impossible for some, even me sometimes! So, here’s a few little tips to help you out if you’re an avid squeezer.

Wash your hands thoroughly before.
Cleanse the area.
Wrap tissue around the end of each finger that will be doing the squeezing or use the ends of cotton buds.
Place fingers either side of the spot, but not too close together. Almost like you are going to squeeze from underneath the spot.
Gently squeeze, not for too long, don’t cause too much trauma for the skin, DO NOT draw blood.
If anything comes out remove from the skin immediately.
If nothing comes out, walk away, it’s not ready and you will cause more issues trying.
Wipe over or hold a pad on the area with a tonic or product containing salicylic.
Do not apply makeup to the area for at least 4 hours.

Point 9 is very important. Most people try to cover up the area immediately with make up. But your adding dirt and grease back into the wound where the spot was, giving it all the ingredients it needs to regrow.

Blackheads

When it comes to blackheads, and I mean blackheads not sebaceous filaments (see the difference here) using the same methods, however, use your fingers to push down towards the skin rather than together. And again, if it doesn’t come out after a few attempts (a few not several) leave it to a professional.

Conclusion

If in doubt see a professional, I can guarantee with most, its our favourite part of our job! So, we welcome extractions a plenty. Thank you for reading, and as ever me or anyone at the clinic are here for any advice, just reply with any questions.

Treating Acne with Nutrition – Video

Acne is a common skin condotion I see in clinic with around 50% of my clientelle suffering from some degree of acne, be it a long term issue, hormonal breakouts around the ‘time of the month,’ or the more recent ‘Maskne’. Its a condition that can really affect confidence, and leave people feeling really down or stressed about their skin.

A lot of my ladies will say “I’m an adult and I cant beleive I have acne, it’s something that happens to teenagers.” But in fact statitics show that around 80% of adults will suffer with acne at some point in their adult life.

So, yseterday I was lucky enough to be joined live on Instagram by Emilia Papadopoullos. Emilia is a nutritionist specialising in treating acne through nutrition.

Myself and Emilia recently worked together with a client to help her achieve clear skin.

By taking a holistic approach, treating the condition from the inside (Emilia) and from the outside (me) it can really accelerate results.

Press play below to watch the live replay of us discussing the subject.

What Does a Compromised Barrier Look Like?

When we have a compromised barrier function our skin becomes more vulnerable to external attacks from things such as pollution, pathogens, microorganisms, the weather etc. It also loses the ability to hold onto the natural hydration in the skin. This hydration is vital to keeping our skin healthy, inflammation down, and its ability to fight attacks from those external forces. Our overall cellular functioning throughout the skin also requires moisture, and I always find a more hydrated skin is more tolerant to most things especially active skincare.

So what are the symptoms of a compromised barrier function? I have listed these below, this list is by no means exhaustive but these are the most common signs.

Skin tightness (constant/after cleansing)
Flaking, dehydrated skin
Oiliness combined with flaking/tightness
Redness or sensitivity
Dullness
Breakouts
Under the skin bumps/spots
Premature ageing
Dermatitis

Desquamation

I thought it was important to mention this as this process in the skin can be dramatically reduced due to our barrier being disrupted. The process of desquamation is the natural shedding of those old skin cells on the surface of the skin to allow for the cycle of the epidermal cells to keep going. Our epidermal cells start off at the base layer of the epidermis and move up, as they do this they become hardened and more resilient to allow for the protective ability needed at that top layer. Once they have reached the top, a chemical process dissolves the bonds between these cells to allow them to shed off and become house dust. This chemical reaction requires moisture to happen, and if our barrier is impaired we lose that all-important moisture and the desquamation process is affected. This results in our skin looking dull, flaky, and our whole epidermal skin cycle slowing down.

What can impair your barrier function?

You might have read the list above and thought that your skin is experiencing some of the signs of an impaired barrier, but what might be causing it?

Below I have listed a few factors that can cause the skin to become compromised, again this is not an exhaustive list but if you feel you are currently suffering from the symptoms it is always a good idea to get professional advice.

Over-exfoliation
Incorrect cleansing products
Sun damage
Pollution
Cold weather/wind
Hormones
Stress
Smoking
Diet
Dry atmosphere
Medication
Diet

As you can see there are many elements that can affect the resilience of our skin, and we probably encounter more than one of these on a daily basis. Our skin is designed to cope with a lot and sometimes all that is needed is to maybe just stop using a certain product and leave your skin to repair and rebuild on its own, other times it may need help. I have included a few products below that are my go-to remedies for compromised skin. But remember this is a general recommendation and without a skin assessment you won’t get individual advice.

Dermaviduals DMS Cleansing Milk

I see so many compromised skins due to incorrect cleansing products used, so your cleanser is the foundation of your skincare regime and a big player in the integrity of your barrier. The Dermaviduals cleanser is gentle, effectively removes makeup and impurities without negatively affecting the skin. There is nothing in this cleanser that the skin doesn’t recognize or that can upset the protective element of the skin.

Skin Omegas

Our skins natural lipids are made up of these essential fatty acids, so adding these supplements into your diet will help keep those lipid levels high and your lipid bilayer making up the skins barrier function nice and strong.

Byonik Supreme Seal

This product is a must for repairing barrier disruption. Containing a high content of ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol that make up our barrier lipids. It reduces that water loss and restructures the skin’s barrier. It’s also a great product for healing conditions such as eczema and dermatitis.

Byonik Concur Cream

Another product full of those essential lipids, the Byonik anti-pollution Concur cream Contains repairing, healing, and hydrating actives as well as the powerful anti-ageing peptide Matrixyl Synthe 6 promoting the production of collagen, elastin and the all important Hyaluronic acid for hydration.

These are just a few of my recommendations for compromised skin, but my advice is to always see a professional that can give you individual recommendations for your skin and investigate why your skin is behaving the way it is.

To make an appointment to see myself please click here, I offer virtual consultations during lockdown or for anyone that cannot get into clinic to see me. If you are interested in purchasing any of the recommendations above please email me here.

Thank you for reading

Rebecca x

Are those black dots on your nose really blackheads???

The quick answer is probably not.

A couple of nights ago I posted a photo on my Instagram of a client’s sebaceous filaments on her nose before and after extractions and asked whether people knew that these weren’t blackheads. I got an astounding response asking to know why they weren’t blackheads. This is a familiar confusion I get on a regular basis with clients wanting to “get rid of the blackheads” on their nose.

So let me tell you a little something about those ‘blackheads’ on your nose…they are not blackheads, they are in fact sebaceous filaments.

And here’s the difference:

Sebaceous Filaments

The nose is one of the places on the face that usually produces the highest levels of oil (sebum). Over time these pores become more enlarged due to the constant production of the sebum and the slow degradation of the skin’s structure reducing the ability to keep them tight. For example, if you look at a child’s nose you won’t see a visible pore, this is because their adolescent hormones haven’t kicked in to start producing higher levels of oils and their collagen is probably the best its ever going to be keeping those pores so tight they are invisible!

Our pores produce sebum as part of the protective acid mantle and to help keep the microbiome healthy, this sebum flows out of the pore onto the skin’s surface. When the sebum reaches the opening of the pore it becomes oxidised and changes from creamy colour to dark grey-black. This is where the mistake in thinking they are blackheads happens.

Blackheads

The technical name for blackheads is open comedones. These can be found anywhere on the face but are usually spread out or maybe just a random one here or there. These are a blockage of the pore/follicle and are caused by a build-up of sebum and skin cells within it. The black colour of them again comes from the oxidisation. If you run your finger across a blackhead you can sometimes feel a slight lump under the skin and these are usually bigger than a sebaceous filament.

So that is the difference between the two, but I know what your next question will be…how do I get rid of them?

So blackheads we can extract and hope they don’t return, this will require actives within the skincare such as salicylic acid or mandelic (always seek advice). But sebaceous filaments, like I said are pores that have a constant flow of sebum from them, they are a natural part of a healthy skins functioning. Also, pores are not doors, so you cant open and close them. What can help improve their appearance is using actives to help control sebum production, such as Retinol, and trying to improve the structure of the skin to tighten them a little…but they will never disappear (this is a good thing).

If you need help with any issues regarding large pores, blackheads or any other concern please get in touch. Even if you are not local to me I can still help virtually. To contact me please either email me here or my book online to see me in clinic or a virtual consultation here.

Thanks for reading.

Rebecca x