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Original poster

Four year old with blackhead!! Advice please!

83 replies

crystalpony · 12/03/2007 15:59

My gorgeous little girl has what looks like the start of a blackhead smack bang on the end of her nose. Obviously, we wash her face a few times a day and she's clean so I'm not sure where it's come from but I was wondering if anybody could offer any advice as to how to clear it. All the usual methods I would assume are too abrasive and rough for such soft baby skin and I certainly don't want to risk scarring her by extracting it with my fingers. Any other ideas please, thanks x

OP posts:
Enid · 12/03/2007 16:06

leave it

it will go

don't squeeze it whatever you do

you wash her face a few times a day

bluejelly · 12/03/2007 16:06

I'd leave it alone, blackheads are so small it's not exactly unsightly is it?

bluejelly · 12/03/2007 16:07

Was also shocked at the washing of face more than once a day!

JackieNo · 12/03/2007 16:07

I assuem she means wiping her face clean after meals. Not actual cleanse, tone and moisturise.

JackieNo · 12/03/2007 16:08

assume, even.

Enid · 12/03/2007 16:08

not cleanse tone and moisturise?

Enid · 12/03/2007 16:09
Wink
Original poster
crystalpony · 12/03/2007 16:10

I mean I wash her face in the morn before school, at bathtime and anytime in between as necessary (ie if food misses mouth or paint misses page etc)....am I freaky?

It's not unsightly but in my experience (I'm a beauty therapist)it could stay there for ages and just become more congested and hard over time. I've no idea how come she's got one so early in life.

OP posts:
Enid · 12/03/2007 16:11

I think they just go though dont they?

Original poster
crystalpony · 12/03/2007 16:11

Yes, Jackie, that's what I meant and No, I don't practice my acid peeling on her before bed or anything!!

OP posts:
JackieNo · 12/03/2007 16:12

. Would a very gentle rub with a flannel once a day be too harsh, do you think? Might encourage it to go?

Posey · 12/03/2007 16:13

My ds has one on his cheek. He's 4, and clean(ish!) Am hoping it'll disappear in due course but just leaving it alone.

Original poster
crystalpony · 12/03/2007 16:14

I've been kind of doing that with her at bathtime so far, trying to free it a bit of it's own accord. (probably a old blob of permanent marker or something - I'm kidding!!)

OP posts:
Whoooosh · 12/03/2007 16:14

Sorry-think I would just have to squeeze it

bluejelly · 12/03/2007 16:14

No not freaky don't worry! Totally normal when you put it like that.
I see as a beauty therapist it must be v difficult to just let nature take its course, but can't see what else you can do

Original poster
crystalpony · 12/03/2007 16:15

Whoosh, I'm sure that would scar her - the pores are so tiny. I was quite tempted to stick a Biore on her when I did mine!!

OP posts:
Whoooosh · 12/03/2007 16:32

Not suggesting you should crystalpony-just confessing that I would probably give in and do it....

stressteddy · 12/03/2007 16:35

whooosh - I'm ashamed to say that's exactly what I thought I would do too
Just couldn't resist it I'm afraid!
God help my ds when he gets older!!

mears · 12/03/2007 16:38

I am afraid I am a squeezer - expert one at that too

How does squeezing a blackhead actually cause scarring if you don't mind me asking? I tend to find the gunk comes out and the blackhead is gone. I don't squeeze boil like spots though.

Original poster
crystalpony · 12/03/2007 19:35

Whooosh, I'm with ya, I'm always at my face and get terrible blackhead envy when I see my teenage nephews!! But at college we were taught only to squeeze in a certain way to try to avoid scarring and I think her skin is so delicate at that age (unlike my leathery mug!) that it would be basically unavoidable.

Mears, basically with a blackhead the pore is already expanded more than it's natural state IYSWIM and any pressure around it could result in scarring if too rigorous. You are supposed to press down around the blackhead and kind of wiggle it out, whereas most dedicated squeezers (me included) would just go for the ultimate force SAS style of eradication which can leave you with visible wide open pores that are permanent.

OP posts:
ScottishThistle · 12/03/2007 19:39

Blackheads scar?

I'd put a hot cloth on it then squeeze!

jodee · 12/03/2007 19:42

DS is nearly 7 and has had a blackhead since about age 4 right in the crease inside one of his ears, impossible to get out!

Original poster
crystalpony · 12/03/2007 19:43

Squeezing them the wrong way can scar, yes. But your right about the hot flannel thing, to open the pores up. Still don't think I will squeeze it though. I'd be gutted if she ended up with a mark.

OP posts:
mears · 12/03/2007 19:43

I tease them out gently to savour the moment

Overrun · 12/03/2007 19:47

Could getting her to put her head over a bowl of steaming water with a towel over her help? I know you would have to be careful with her, but people are advised to do this with children for congestion problems (then up put eucalyptus oil in) so it might help?