Why do people go to get their blackheads squeezed?

[WindAndWuthering]

I'm talking about the sort of videos where the person is covered in blackheads and sometimes more. First of all, why don't they just squeeze them themselves if it bothers them? It's not exactly hard...

But when they've obviously left them for years, why suddenly go to a dermatologist to try to fix things? Their skin is going to be scarred and pitted and still look really bad. Does actually removing the blackheads and pus do anything for the appearance of their skin? I can't believe it's much of an improvement at all. Why bother?

[HansSoloTraveller1]

Because a dermatologist can get to the cause of the problem and prescribe oral drugs to stop the over production of sebum. Because excessive blackheads and zits can really make your skin sore. Because once removed and a decent skin care and medical plan in place can massively reduce scarring and pitted effect. (Btw lasers can actually reduce pitted acne scars.)

[HansSoloTraveller1]

Your post seems really strange. You are judgementally asking why people with severe skin issues are going to see specialist skin doctors? You realise thats a dermatologists job? Their job isnt about maintaining already clear skin.

[WindAndWuthering]

I'm sorry the post seemed strange. I'm not trying to be judgemental, I genuinely don't understand.

"You are judgementally asking why people with severe skin issues are going to see specialist skin doctors? You realise thats a dermatologists job?"

But does squeezing spots actually improve the condition or appearance of the skin? From videos it looks like it is damaging the skin, the person is bleeding and it looks like their skin will scar.

[WindAndWuthering]

"Because once removed and a decent skin care and medical plan in place can massively reduce scarring and pitted effect. "

Thanks, I didn't know this. The people's skin looks so severely damaged in the videos that I didn't know anything could be done to improve it. I'd like it if they could follow up on the person in the video and perhaps show how things improved down the line.

[HansSoloTraveller1]

Sorry if i sounded short. I have terrible skin and its a never ending story. These severe cases (i cant watch them they make me sick) are from people who may be in a long term battle with their skin. Sometimes extractions and popping seems worse but it can relieve pressure from under the skin. The dermatologists know what pressure and tools to use to cause minimal damage than an untrained person squeezing with sharp nails.

[HansSoloTraveller1]

If you are interested you should look up laser and chemical treatments to reduce acne scars its fascinating.

[HansSoloTraveller1]

Thanks gardengeek

[WindAndWuthering]

Oh I'm sorry Hans. I can see the way I worded my post was insensitive. FWIW I have bad skin and lots of scars but not much on my face, so I am able to hide it. I have sympathy and I apologise for being flippant about asking. The extractions do look brutal sometimes and I feel like the person is going to be swollen and bleeding afterwards. I couldn't see what the advantage was of exchanging one lot of problems for another.

I hope you can find some relief for your issues. Thanks for explaining why dermatology can be useful.

[HansSoloTraveller1]

Op please forgive my snippiness im just ill and grumpy and feeling down i didnt mean to make you feel bad. But yeah dermatology is great for many people. I cant afford to go and my nhs trust wont send me again which is annoying. But for severe cases it can help with giving drugs like roccutane which is very strong prescription only. Drugs like that can help the underlying issues and the skin can be bruised and bloody after extractions but it mostly seems to heal ok. The pores shrink as well when not clogged. :)

[HansSoloTraveller1]

Also i just seen that still from the vid in aibu oh god i cant watch them. Dermatologists have strong stomaches. I can deal with other medical stuff but not that.

[NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1]

Perhaps they have visual impairment and can't see their blackheads

[wotsittoyou]

I imagine that blocked pores are not the reason most of these patients are seeing the dermatologist, and that the dermo asks them whether they can squeeze them in order to make videos for youtube as a favour while they're attending for something else. I've heard this happen several times in drpimplepopper's videos, to the bemusement of her - completely not bothered at all about blackheads - patients.

[WindAndWuthering]

"Op please forgive my snippiness im just ill and grumpy and feeling down "

No honestly hans, I reread my OP and thought it was worded inappropriately flippantly and can imagine how it sounded to someone dealing with skin problems. It's rubbish that you can't get further treatment on the NHS.

I'm relieved the patients in these videos heal OK. I hope it helps them!

"I imagine that blocked pores are not the reason most of these patients are seeing the dermatologist, and that the dermo asks them whether they can squeeze them in order to make videos for youtube as a favour"

Oh goodness, I can imagine that could be the case! That seems quite exploitative.