Like any other part of the body that has hair follicles, it is possible to end up with clogged pores on breasts. What causes clogged pores on the breasts and how can I unclog them? [toc]
Clogged pores or comedones on the breasts are not usually serious but if nothing is done, one may end up acne bumps, which may be painful and itchy if infections strike in. Many reasons have been linked with clogged pores on breasts, some of the reasons are natural while others have an underlying medical problem.
The causes can be mild or very severe. Always try finding out underlying causes and managing them. A good treatment plan should consider two aspects, the underlying cause, and the resultant symptoms. What can cause clogged skin anywhere else can also result in this problem on your breasts. If you enjoy this article about clogged pores on breasts please do leave a comment below letting us know if we helped you or do you still suffer from this.
As we had stated earlier, clogged skin on the breasts can occur due to several reasons. Again, while this condition can affect any woman, some women are more predisposed than others. The vulnerability depends on how much an individual is exposed to the risk factors.
Excessive production of sebum is the most common cause. Sebum is a skin oil that lubricates it. When it is produced in excess, it would combine with the dead skin cells and other debris to block the pores.
Even though the clogged skin on breasts can result in white bumps especially if you have whiteheads and pimples, some of the little white bumps on the areola could be one of the clogged milk duct symptoms.
Many factors, including comedones, can block milk ducts. Factors such as residual breast milk, weak pump in the breasts, leading to drainage issues, pressure on the breasts (tight bras), a bad latch, and stress among others can cause this blockage.
Although minor pores get easily clogged compared to large ones, large ones are un aesthetically appealing. “open pores on the breasts as well as on the face make your skin rough and you look much older than you are.” Also, large pores on the breasts can also get clogged as well. Oily skin, hormonal imbalance, waxing, cosmetics, dead skin cells, dirt, and other skin debris all can clog them.
Whether large or small, comedones on breasts are not serious medical conditions. Many cases resolve of their own after bathing or gentle skin exfoliation. Use natural products such as aloe vera, lemon juice, apple cider among others. This product would keep away infections and shrink the pores pushing the clogs outside.
As we noted, most cases of clogged skin on the breasts are mild and do even require a skincare professional. However, complications may follow this blockage. The comedones may get infected and lead to inflammatory acne types. The doctor would prescribe medications such as antibiotics, steroids, birth control pills, and other acne treatments to help clear acne.
As we had stated earlier, clogged skin on the breasts can occur due to several reasons. Again, while this condition can affect any woman, some women are more predisposed than others. The vulnerability depends on how much an individual is exposed to the risk factors.
Here are the most common causes:
This is the most common cause. Sebum is a skin oil that lubricates it. When it is produced in excess, it would combine with the dead skin cells and other debris to block the pores.
Increased production of sebum is triggered by hormonal changes. The following are the factor that can lead to hormonal imbalances:
Accumulation of the dead blood cells in the skin (debris) would also contribute towards clogging of pores anywhere in the body. This debris usually combines with sebum and clogs the pore-forming acne. Washing or unclogging the pores regularly would help get rid of the nasty dead skin cells.
Excessive sweating can also block the skin pores after strenuous exercise. Therefore, it is recommended that one take immediate bathe after sweating to help unclog the pores and reduce
Poor hygiene can also contribute to this problem. If you don’t wash your body regularly, the dead skin cells and other skin debris would accumulate leading to breast acne.
You should bathe and gently exfoliate your skin regularly. This can be done using easily available cheap natural products such as lemon juice, honey, apple cider vinegar, and more. There are also OTC products that can be used.
Dust particles in the air can also settle on the skin. If the skin is not washed or exfoliated regularly, the dust would combine with the dead skin cells, sebum, and other skin debris to result in comedones.
Many of the products we apply to our skins can make them healthy or damage them. Certain skincare products we use daily can irritate the sebaceous glands making them produce more sebum and clogging may occur.
Also, some products tend to be greasy and thus can cause clogged skin on the breasts. When buying skin products, please go for those mentioned as non-comedogenic.
Putting on tight-fitting bras can also aggravate sweating, something that would lead to clogged skin pores or milk ducts. Always put on the proper size of bras. If it is a must put on the tight ones, then ensure you control the level of sweating, and take a shower in case of so much perspiration.
You should visit your dermatologist if they cannot be unclogged using home remedies or over-the-counter products. Furthermore, in case you have pimples characterized by bumps filled with pus or other severe forms of acne consider treatments that will also help deal with acne.
Whether large or small, comedones on breasts are not serious medical conditions. Many cases resolve on their own after bathing or gentle skin exfoliation. However, you may be not lucky if the clogs are infected.
The first risk of having comedones is breast acne that might be between your breasts, under them or anywhere on your breasts. Acne here can be in form of whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, pustules, cysts, nodules, papules among other forms of acne.
Comedones are pores or hair follicles that have gotten clogged with bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells to form a bump on your skin. They are not as inflamed and painful as some other types of acne. But they can be unsightly.
Unless infected, you can only end up with blackheads and whiteheads. However, in the case of bacteria colonizing these comedones, you will end up with the other severe and inflammatory types of acne which may manifest themselves as huge painful bumps that can cause scarring when they heal.
Even though the clogged skin on breasts can result in white bumps especially if you have whiteheads and pimples, some of the little white bumps on the areola could be one of the clogged milk duct symptoms.
What causes clogged milk duct? Many factors, including comedones, can block milk ducts. Factors such as residual breast milk, weak pump in the breasts, leading to drainage issues, pressure on the breasts (tight bras), bad latch and stress among others can cause this blockage.
Clogged milk duct symptoms include swollen, itchy, or painful breasts, sore or tender breasts, and they can be warm to the touch.
Blocked milk duct treatment or remedy can be like those for unclogging comedones on the breasts while others might be unique.
Although minor pores get easily clogged as compared to large ones, large ones are unaesthetic appealing. “open pores on the breasts as well as on the face make your skin rough and you look much older than you are.”
Also, large pores on the breasts can also get clogged as well. Oily skin, hormonal imbalance, waxing, cosmetics, dead skin cells, dirt, and other skin debris all can clog them.
There is no permanent treatment of enlarged pore skin. Certain home remedies can be used to shrink them. Such remedies include an ice pack, egg white, lemon juice, sandalwood-powered paste, honey and OTC products such as Facetheory Porebright Serum N20 Pro with 20% Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid.
As we noted, most cases of clogged skin on the breasts are mild and do even require a skincare professional. However, complications may follow this blockage. The comedones may get infected and lead to inflammatory acne types.
Treating acne is not as easy as you may imagine. There are times when it keeps recurring. In such a case, you can see your dermatologist for further treatments and recommendations.
The doctor would prescribe medications such as antibiotics, steroids, birth control pills, and other acne treatments to help clear acne.
Don’t continue applying over counter treatments or home remedies when you do not see any positive results.
OTC treatments and home remedies are sometimes not enough to clear up acne. If this is the case, a doctor may prescribe a medication.
The following are two great OTC products by a superb brand “Facetheory”, with no prescription needed, that will help shrink the pores not only on the face but anywhere, a great product to rid the clogged pores on breasts:
Click product to check priceIngredients: Aqua, Glycolic Acid, dimethylisosorbide (sugar based solvent), Propanediol (emollient derived from corn), Betaine (natural moisturiser), Glycerin (humectant), Sodium Glycolate (salt of glycolic acid), Panthenol (vitamin B5), Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Citric Acid (pH adjuster), Potassium Sorbate (preservative).
Click product to check priceIngredients: Aqua, niacinamide (vitamin B3), propanediol (emollient derived from corn), glycerin, sodium anisate (preservative from star anise), sodium levulinate (preservative from sugar cane), sodium hyaluronate (salt of vegan hyaluronic acid), azelaic acid (dicarboxylic acid derived from wheat), aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice.
Suzanne B says:
Hi,
Thanks for your tips about clogged pores on breasts this helped me a lot!