Originally Posted by Labrat81 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't know what doctor would refer to them as "oil bumps." They sound like comedoes, or whiteheads. Contrary to popular belief, those big nasty zits with with white heads, aren't whiteheads, they are called pustules.
Tiny flesh colored bumps are called whiteheads. They aren't inflamed, but they can itch from time to time. They are just a plugged up sebaceous glands. The plug is usually comrpized of dead skin cells and old sebum, and it's caused by hyperkeratinization and hyperproliferation of the skin cells that line the philosebaceous unit, and also viscous and sticky sebum that lacks linoleic acid (why this is is unknown).
What you can do about it is to either use salicylic acid to dissovle the plugs (this can be irritating), or you can go to a dermatologist and get a prescription for a topical retinoid (differin, retin-a micro, tazorac, etc), which will eventually force yur skin cells to proliferate normally.....hence no whiteheads or "oil bumps."
My doctor said they were just clogged sebacious glands, not cystic acne and referred to them as oil bumps to simplify the term. I know what whiteheads are and they aren't whiteheads at all or blackheads for that matter, just clogged pores. I am currently using level 6 green cream and avon solutions nightly nutrient peel and as you can see from my avatar, they have vanished.