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418 replies
sunshinechaser · 27/11/2024 13:28
My DS is 14 and has started getting bumpy, slightly spotty skin as he's going through puberty. He had a raised bump on his forehead which has now fallen off but it's left a really deep black mark that I presume is a blackhead. He's a bit self conscious about it so I wondered if anyone had recommendations for skincare for teens that might help.
He currently uses Cerave blemish face wash that contains salicylic acid and niacinamide and applies salicylic acid lotion twice daily. This usually keeps his skin in good condition but not sure how long this will continue to work as his skin gets spottier with age.
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GreenFritillary · 31/01/2025 16:22
Hold a corn pad or similar over the blackhead while you paint the gel on it, without getting it on the surrounding skin.
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rach7979 · 31/01/2025 16:46
You need Dr Piimple Popper!! Is there a UK version of her??
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CerealPosterHere · 31/01/2025 17:31
dermatologist?
no idea if these guys are any good but they charge £90 https://sknclinics.co.uk/jccp-and-skn
JCCP and sk:n | sk:n clinics
JCCP and sk:n: championing regulation and patient safety in the aesthetics industry sk:n is proud to have been a JCCP partner since 2016. Together we are striving for better patient safety and the development of strict, accredited regulations for the a...
https://sknclinics.co.uk/jccp-and-skn
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CerealPosterHere · 31/01/2025 17:31
rach7979 · 31/01/2025 16:46
You need Dr Piimple Popper!! Is there a UK version of her??
Ha ha, I'd just googled that and apparently it's this person https://www.dremmacraythorne.com/about
No idea about prices though.
About | Dr Emma Craythorne | Dermatologist London
Find out more about Dr Emma Craythorne, The star of Bad Skin Clinic on Quest Red, Consultant Dermatologist, Dermatological Laser Surgeon and Mohs. Read more.
https://www.dremmacraythorne.com/about
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TheFormidableMrsC · 31/01/2025 17:32
There really isn't an option other than squeezing it out. If you're not prepared to do that then see a dermatologist. Nothing you put on his skin is going to remove an embedded blackhead.
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BurntBroccoli · 31/01/2025 17:46
Can we have a photo please?
Perhaps steam the skin first so the pores open. Then get a blackhead remover tool and gently press. You can also get a needle type tool that you can pierce a hole with before using the blackhead remover. Make sure you sterilise it first with surgical spirit.
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sunshinechaser · 31/01/2025 18:01
@BurntBroccoli we have tried that lots of times over the last month or two and it's just not budging.
I have attached a cropped photo but it's difficult to see clearly. We've just come out of the salon with the therapist picking away at it with her tools so it's a bit red.
Dermatologists-we live in Scotland and I'm not aware of any private dermatologists that I could take him to. I see a private one for my moles and I really think he'd just be able to prescribe a prescription strength cream for my DS. I think online acne services (Dermatica, Superdrug etc) would be just as good. I've just set up an account at Superdrug and requested Differin so fingers crossed this works.
I can't see a private dermatologist having any other specialist 'tool' to get rid of it but maybe I'm wrong. The therapist we saw today said she didn't want to dig in any more as he'll scar or risk an infection.
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amoreoamicizia · 31/01/2025 18:10
That doesn't look like a blackhead to me. I'd ask for a dermatologist referral from the GP or pay privately if the wait is too long (it's about 12 months plus in my location, I don't know about yours).
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sunshinechaser · 31/01/2025 18:18
@amoreoamicizia it's definitely a blackhead. It's really hard to photograph but looks 100% like a blackhead in real life. It's red as he's just out of the salon and the therapist was using lots of blackhead removal tools (in vain).
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Mumof2girls2121 · 31/01/2025 18:33
My daughter had a small cyst on her face looked like a white head, doc said it wouldn’t go would need surgery etc, it was getting bigger she’s 12, after a hot bath we crossed it and scratched it down and then popped it out, Took months though of trying all sorts
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Craftymam · 31/01/2025 19:04
This is going to sound really weird but have you tried a needle and actually hooked it into the blackhead and pulled out. You need to go quite deep. But if you can get it into the dense bit then it pulls out like a little teardrop nugget. It’s very weird and very fascinating.
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sunshinechaser · 31/01/2025 19:44
@Craftymam I haven't but I'm tempted now!
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PebbleDashAtOne · 31/01/2025 20:33
Yeah I’d be sticking a needle in it!
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Rina66 · 31/01/2025 21:15
This Dermalogica spot gel is very good, they also do a black head clearing fizzing mask...
https://www.spacenk.com/uk/skincare/treatment/blemish-acne-treatment/deep-breakout-liquid-patch-UK200039463.html?istCompanyId=0e8ad2cd-a29f-4f10-aa02-bfe7beec114f&istFeedId=4dabe32f-dcf8-4bb2-893d-2b02fd2dd75d&istItemId=lxqixqmwl&istBid=t&utmsource=google&utmmmedium=ppc&utmcampaign=snk-uk-shopping&utmmterm=alwayson-all-mixed&utmcontent=mixed-restofdesigners-static&gclsrc=aw.ds&gaddsource=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD9ohPrPwPwrzSBgHa3iT88GzJCSF&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInsjie-giwMVpYtQBh3PVSqoEAQYASABEgIiEED_BwE
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FridayNight1975 · 01/02/2025 19:00
about the needle… when you see blackhead extraction videos youtube, for the big ones, they always prick them first, so as long as you sterilise it first, i would try that too.
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soupfiend · 01/02/2025 19:14
Havent even tried a needle yet?
Oh OP!!!
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TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 01/02/2025 19:15
Looks like a mole to me. If you have them are you quite sure?
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sunshinechaser · 01/02/2025 19:34
@TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams it's definitely not a mole. It doesn't show well on photos but it's a deep black dot.
I have had my moles checked by a private dermatologist yearly for the last 10 years or so-I know moles!
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sunshinechaser · 01/02/2025 19:40
@soupfiend 😂 I've bought sterile needles from Amazon so I'll try it once they have been delivered
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BurntBroccoli · 01/02/2025 19:53
Yes you definitely need to put a hole in it. I have one of these kits - it has a really sharp needle with a hook on it to pull out the plug as it were.
Don't forget to take a photo 😁!
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SeamsLegit · 01/02/2025 20:10
My daughter (not even double figures years old!) had a blackhead on her nose.... I wasn't even sure it WAS a blackhead for a good while, it was smooth but dark. I tried several times but there was zero movement. Eventually, not wanting it to develop into a dilated pore, I pierced it with a disposable needle and I SQUEEZED a giant blackhead out! I couldn't believe the size!! Her nose looked raw for a week but it's healed now and no large pore. Giddamn I wish I'd filmed it, it was impressive!!!!
Have your son breathe OUT as you apply pressure, that helps.
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FagsMagsandBags · 02/02/2025 07:02
It looks like what Dr Lee calls a Dilated pore of winer. A sterilised needle will help, even better the full kit that @BurntBroccoli has shown. Dr Lee uses local anesthetic so it might be a little bit painful but you'll need to go in deep to get it out. I don't think beauticians are allowed to do that because it's seen as a medical procedure. If you get all of it out, including the root and use antiseptic and keep an eye on it it's unlikely to get infected but in the small chance that it does a pharmacist should be able to help and if not your GP. If it is a Dpw then the pore will be stretched at first because it's being stretched by the DWP and once that's out the empty pore will look big, but it will shrink back. Once it's gone he needs to start using the cleansing and toning products others have mentioned to help him stay blackhead free.
And yes, I watch far too many of pimple popper type videos and dilated pores of winer are my favourites. If you watch one (or more) you'll get a good idea of how to do it. Search for Dr Sandra Lee or Dr Pimple Popper on YouTube. All of the above is stuff I've learned from her.
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Viviennemary · 02/02/2025 08:47
Craftymam · 31/01/2025 19:04
This is going to sound really weird but have you tried a needle and actually hooked it into the blackhead and pulled out. You need to go quite deep. But if you can get it into the dense bit then it pulls out like a little teardrop nugget. It’s very weird and very fascinating.
This sounds like a very bad idea. You might leave a scar or cause an infection.
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sunshinechaser · 02/02/2025 08:54
I actually don't think I can watch any of those videos showing blackhead removal. I searched on YouTube but even the little photos of the a scene in the videos were making me feel sick. There's no way I could watch a whole video, even to help DS!
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FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 02/02/2025 09:03
sunshinechaser · 02/02/2025 08:54
I actually don't think I can watch any of those videos showing blackhead removal. I searched on YouTube but even the little photos of the a scene in the videos were making me feel sick. There's no way I could watch a whole video, even to help DS!
But... they're so good.
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