A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:Hi everyone, I have an issue with blackheads. Blackheads are the only type of acne I have, but they're horrible. I have them on my nose, cheeks, forehead, everywhere. They're not really noticeable except up close, but I'm sensitive about them. I've tried doing a baking soda mask a couple of times a day followed by moisturizing with a natural oil like olive oil or coconut oil, I don't use any manufactured soaps or lotions on my skin anymore because I think that makes it worse, but they still keep coming back. I always end up squeezing them out, but since I have compulsive skin picking (an OCD-related thing) I always end up going way overboard and my face looks terrible for a couple days afterward, so I really want a way to get rid of the blackheads that does not involve squeezing. Is there ANYTHING that will work? I don't want to use those pore strip things, because they damage your skin and I've already damaged it enough with the stupid picking. Also, do blackheads tend to get better with time? I'm 17, and they have, if anything, gotten worse as I've gotten older.
View related questions:
acne Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
reader, anonymous, writes (6 June 2010): try this daily boil the kettle, pour boiling water into saucepan, get towel over your head to stop steam excaping steam will open the pores in your face, oune open wash with soap or whatever you use then rinse your face with lots freezing cold water. This should help clean the pores and it cost nothing always worked for me, & please dont squeexe or pick it this that leaves marks & scars. Good luck
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (6 June 2010): I tried to find the product but couldn't... however, seveal years ago I tried a bandage type product that was sold over the counter at the pharmacy here in the US. It's a cloth strip that has adhesive and as I recall is intended to be worn over night. The thing worked... in the morning, when I would take it off, I could see little "pillars" of oil that were standing off the surface of the bandage and the blackhead was stuck to it.
Creepy... not sure how it does it...
bandages were white, sold in a small box. Not expensive... no mess, pain, or anything negative.
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (6 June 2010): I use the Biore strips for my nose & cheeks etc.. They work really well & don't damage the skin.
I have sensetive skin& those strips are the only things that work.
I enjoy peeling it off& seeing all the blackheads on it! My skin also looks clearer.
X
...............................
A
female
reader, DrPsych  +, writes (6 June 2010):
 I think you have had plenty of good advice on this subject. I thought I would add that a good quality diet will have an impact on your skin. You could think about taking zinc too. The black head is debris trapped inside the pore. If you get a facial steamer (a pharmacist will stock them quite cheaply or try online auction sites) and use that to open the pores then you may find cleaning the skin easier. If you clean gently when the pores are open (when you are sweating from the steam) it is a less abrasive method of dealing with the issue.
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (6 June 2010): Have you tried St.Ives face and neck scrup?..I have blackheads aswell..and after using this they were gone!..my face was much smoother and softer! Give it a go its fantastic!..Its real cheap aswell I bought mine for 4 Euros.
St.Ives Apricot Body scrub :)
...............................
A
female
reader, chigirl  +, writes (6 June 2010):
 Some get better with time. Most of the time this is genetical, and you either have it or you don't. You can work on keeping it in check though. Go see a doctor and asked to get referred to a skin care doctor. They will be able to offer you correct help on how to treat it. Other than that, stick to good facial cleaning products and a good moisturizer that suits your skin type.
Then, find good makeup. A good foundation will cover the blackheads nicely.
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (6 June 2010): Having blackheads but no other form of acne means excess sebum, which normally means a hormone imbalance or an overproduction of oil caused by using products which strip your skin, such as alchol. Good side is that you have no other imperfections, so its just one type to deal with. I still get acne now and then and I get huge painful spots which leave scars but no blackheads - would swap with you anyday lol. The problem with sebum is that blackheads (pores blocked with a plug of sebum) cause the pores to stretch, so it is important to try to stop them so that the skin doesn't become slightly damaged.
But to the advice - I would agree with the advice given already about you considering a contraceptive pill or some other form of prescription drugs from the doctor. To a certain extent, what you put on your skin won't dramatically change this problem if the sebum production is as excessive as you think. Things which contain no products that will aggravate the skin and cause it to produce yet more sebum are the best, there are lots of good ranges which are not too expensive and don't use nasty chemicals - I think Origins is one of the best. It's also important to use a mositurizer that's suitable for your oily skin, you might not think you need one but if you don't start using one, your skin is more likely to become "stretched" by the oil in the pores and won't snap as easily back into place when your skin calms down again - which it will, don't worry! Drinking water is also really important for keeping your skin supply - it is possible to have "dehydrated" skin and yet have very oily skin too. Good luck x
...............................
A
female
reader, EbonyBlossom +, writes (6 June 2010):
 Don't use the natural oil. Your skin isn't dry so you don't need to. Anything with tea tree in is very good for oily and blemished skin. And products really aren't all that bad. Pore strips aren't as bad for your skin is picking it! There are other things like beaded scrub pads that loosen the black heads, and lots of cleansers, face washes and scrubs for problem skin. They can dry your face out a little if you use them twice or more each day, but you can buy oil free moisterisers to use afterwards. Another thing that can help your complexion is going on the pill. Different brands work for different people, but my complexion was bad until I went on the Cilest pill just over a year ago, and it has done wonders for my skin =]
...............................
A
female
reader, Moo's Mum  +, writes (6 June 2010):
 I think they are a gene related thing because my Mum, sister and myself all have them. Honestly I don't think you can ever get rid of them completely but if you want to cover them mine dissappear under foundation. Regular facials can help but they are costly. All you can do is have a good cleaning regime and squeeze out the ones that are READY to come out (the raised ones). Don't worry about them my mother's married, I'm married and my sister is as good as married so they don't put guys off :-) PS our hubbies are all very handsome :-)
...............................
|
