To want a solution to my whiteheads.

[ChooksAndBooks]

Posting here for traffic.

I had horrific acne as a teenager but I was never taken to the Dr and didn't realise it was something that they treat.

Now that I'm 30 I rarely get spots but I do have lots and lots of whiteheads that give my skin a really bumpy and uneven look, even with make up.

I went to my GP about it a few years ago and she said that it was a type of acne and gave me some topical cream to apply. She told me to come back if it didn't work and she would try me on a contraceptive pill.

The cream made my skin very dry and tight and flakey and did nothing for the whiteheads at all. We were TTC so I didn't go back for the pill and then by the time I got pregnant and had my baby lockdown happened.

My skin is really getting me down. Is there anything I can buy that would get rid of them? I can't afford a private dermatologist at the moment as I've just started a new job.

You can ask the GP to refer you to dermatology on the NHS.
There will be a waiting list but maybe worth a try.
My DS waited about 5 months for his referral but it was worth it in the end.

What is your current skincare routine like?

When you say whiteheads are they the spot kind or milia?

I can help you 🤪 Christ I'm the acne expert tried every topical cream on the market and course of roaccutane .

I'd recommend joining Dr Sam Bunting Skincare club on fb posting pics and they will give you a budget focused routine

You do NOT need to spend much money to get good skin and do not let anyone tell you otherwise .

Also follow Dr Natalia Spierlings on Instagram .

Happy for you to send pics and can advise .

But I'd typically recommend depending on what it looks like ;

Signing up to Dermatica if you can afford it - derm reviews your photos and prescribes monthly topical .

Acnecide if you haven't tried benzol peroxide before from them chemist

Salicylic acid

Routine free of oil / fragrance / botanicals

Also a LOT of people are extremely happy with Dermatica on the style and beauty threads.

The first month is also free just pay postage :)

Try some salicylic acid - Paula’s Choice is excellent and you can buy a small size to try.

It’s transformed my skin - improves texture, clears pores and exfoliates.

Just scratch the skin off and squeeze them out. They look worse for a few days cos they are not easy to get but then they don't come back.

I've never heard of Dermatica and am looking at the website. Do you have to be over 18? I was looking at the terms and conditions and can't find an answer. I'm just considering if it might be a possibility for my daughter, but she is under 18.

Roaccutane, and similar, is a serious risk if taken during pregnancy.

Dermatica - can be used by under 18s to my knowledge .

Roaccutane is a risk in pregnancy yes but you are monitored and given relevant pregnancy prevention support . Low dose roaccutane also has extremely reduced side effects .
But if someone gets to this point they will be monitored by a derm :)

Scratching and squeezing can lead to scarring 😡 that's terrible advice .

Use hydrocolloid spot plasters

Derma Rehab Spot Repair Hydrocolloid Patches Targeted Defence Against Pimples Spots Blemishes Blackheads Pack of 36 Gel Patches https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0156LJM5Q/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_CU1uFbWN7MNPP

Squeezing them absolutely increases the chance they will come back. If you had one that didn’t come back you’re very lucky.

Definitely white heads and not just large sebaceous filaments?That's what I have and the best I can do is reduce the appearance with exfoliation and toner but sadly it's just the way my skin is with massive pores.

You could also get glycolic acid peels. Cheap to buy on the internet, just be careful to follow the instructions. You’ll need bicarbonate of soda to make a paste to neutralise it afterwards (start by leaving it on for two minutes, build up by one minute weekly - do the treatment once a week for six weeks then take a break of six weeks).

Sorry but the that is horrible and dangerous advice .

Gycolic acid doesn't really have much benefit for acne either .

@xtinak

Definitely white heads and not just large sebaceous filaments?That's what I have and the best I can do is reduce the appearance with exfoliation and toner but sadly it's just the way my skin is with massive pores.

Have you tried Niacinamide

I was going too say it sounds like milia rather than typical whiteheads. The latter sort of resolve themselves. The former are trapped under the skin and stay put. If I get noticeable ones I make a hole in the skin with a sterile needle and gently press them out with tissue over my nails. I know people in this thread are saying "don't squeeze" but if you went to a beautician/dematoligist, that is how they will remove them. Just be gentle!

anonacatchat I have sebaceous filaments (I only found out what the are recently) both on my face and my body.

I don’t have any skincare routine, although I usually have Clinique products but am very lazy. I have dry skin on my body so only use moisturising shower products.

Can you please suggest a routine for my face to reduce the appearance of the filaments, and suggest a product for body? Currently tend to use Dove or Nivea

My current routine is that I use cetaphil to cleanse and dermol 500 to moisturiser morning and night and I exfoliate once or twice a week. It hasn't helped the whiteheads but my skin is in much better condition than before when I was using lots of products that were aimed towards spots.

@honeylulu

I was going too say it sounds like milia rather than typical whiteheads. The latter sort of resolve themselves. The former are trapped under the skin and stay put. If I get noticeable ones I make a hole in the skin with a sterile needle and gently press them out with tissue over my nails. I know people in this thread are saying "don't squeeze" but if you went to a beautician/dematoligist, that is how they will remove them. Just be gentle!

The fact is that the people you mentioned are trained to do so . Milia removal yes I'd do that myself too . Pricking with a needle isn't squeezing but most people go way too far with it :) you clearly know what you are doing most people don't

Sebaceous filaments look black, not white and not filled with pus.

@AuditAngel

anonacatchat I have sebaceous filaments (I only found out what the are recently) both on my face and my body.

I don’t have any skincare routine, although I usually have Clinique products but am very lazy. I have dry skin on my body so only use moisturising shower products.

Can you please suggest a routine for my face to reduce the appearance of the filaments, and suggest a product for body? Currently tend to use Dove or Nivea

For sebaceous filaments I would suggest a routine that involves ;

A Niacinamide serum ( I like the ordinary and paulas choice)

BHA - love paulas choice .

Retinol if you can tolerate it . I use prescription retinoid from Dermatica . You might want to go straight to that or you could try something otc first - let me know your budget.

Ultimately you will never get rid of them . They are a feature of normal skin but you can reduce their appearance .

I would likely use Hydrating serum and spf in morning then alternate retinol and bha on alternate nights. I always take a night off actives on a Sunday to do Avene tolerance mask for extra hydration .

Also I've recently learnt the joy of just going to bed with Vaseline on my face it's amazing 😂

For body I love CVS ointment as recommended by my derm

QV Intensive Ointment 450g https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0085U7ZIW/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_4x2uFbWFG93EH

Thanks everyone. I've signed up to dermatica. Hoping it'll help!

Anonacatchat thanks for those recommendations, I’ll take a look.

You mentioned CVS ointment for someone else which I looked at, I forgot to mention I have psoriasis. I had a small patch on my face which has just cleared (2 weeks off work, not calling it a holiday!) but a new one is starting by my waist.