Trichostasis spinulosa: how to distinguish and treat false blackheads on the nose

Trichostasis spinulosa is a common aesthetic concern that is often confused for comedones or blackheads. Trichostasis spinulosa usually appear on or near the nose and look very much like blackheads. However, these are not actually comedones – which are formed of corneal scales and oxidized lipids – but dilated follicles with small tuft(s) of truncated hair at the follicle outlet.

In order to clarify that the dots are actually hairs and not comedones, the area needs to be magnified by a lens, such a dermatoscope. Upon magnification, it will be clear whether there are blackheads present, or if the suspected blackhead is, in fact, truncated hair immersed in oxidized sebaceous secretion, causing it to appear totally black.

Trichostasis Spinulose, what to do

As trichostasis spinulosa are often mistaken for blackheads, many people try to eliminate them by squeezing the black point. However, as they are actually hairs, they cannot be removed by squeezing as they are anchored to the base of the follicle with their own bulb. Squeezing should be avoided as it can cause the inflammation or infection of the follicle, or the formation of a furuncle.

How to tackle trichostasis spinulosa

There are still no perfected techniques to eliminate these hairs from the nasal follicles without causing scarring or damage to the follicles themselves. However, it is possible to lighten the black dot by eliminating the component of oxidized sebum that remains embedded in the hairs. Through desquamation, micropeeling with Glicosal eliminates most of the oxidized sebum, which helps minimize the appearance of the dots. However, it is unlikely that trichostasis spinulosa will disappear completely.