blackheads

[enidroach]

My teenage daughter has had a rash of spots which we have managed to clear up. However, she has quite greasy skin and very large pores - the blackheads on her nose are very visible and someone said something cruel at school, so now after a lot of apathy about skincare she is desperate to get rid.

What works? - does anyone steam and squeeze anymore? or is that a big no no? Do pore strips work and which are best - biore, witch, t-zone? face washes and scrubs seem to have had no effect (used L'occitane rice, REN (blue one), Nutrogena etc Have read good things about Kiehl's but don't want to buy an expensive one again if results not great.

Any advice greatefully received

Take her to the GP, they may prescribe an antibiotic cream or a course of antibiotics. Far more effective than anything you can get over the counter.

Daily gentle exfoliation is a good start. Facials would help with the blackheads too. Antibiotics probably won't do much for the existing blackheads but would help with the spots and possibly prevent future blackheads so definitely worth a shot.

If you are going to look for somewhere to have a facial make sure you say it's for blackhead extraction and break outs as they will recommend the right type of treatment. High Frequency Facials, Galvanic Facials or Cathiodermie are all good for congested skin. Steaming and squeezing is part of the treatment but they do it very gently. If she does it herself she may agitate the problem further and cause more breakouts. If you can't afford regular facials (they can be rather pricey if you have to do them every 2 weeks) see if you can find a training school that has a student salon. They do treatments at very good prices and are just getting some experience at the end of their training. I have been to the London Esthetique just north of Oxford Circus a few times.

I have bad blackheads and facials works best for me. Monthly if I can afford it. What they do for me is use an exfoliator, steam my face then do the extraction. I can't be as forceful on my nose as they can - easier to let others inflict pain on you than do it yourself I find . Anyway it is a bit painful but gets rid of them and they do stay away a while but I am rubbish with my skin and also smoke so I need the facials more often.

Thanks everyone - may have trouble getting her to a beautician on her own or the GP (she is very resistant atm) won't even go to hairdressers anymore. May get her a facial etc along with her older sister as an end of exam treat and then see if we can progress from there.

Any daily advice for keeping things ticking over.

Thanks again

Another vote for facials here, with the extraction. I love it when I have this done She does need to be careful afterwards, not touching her face too much etc, as to avoid infection, causing spots.

Dermalogica do a treatment that you put on overnight that helps to break down things like blackheads. I can't remember what it's called right now, sorry. Daily stuff to help make them stay away would be an exfoliator that is gentle enough for daily use. Again, Dermalogica has one that is bloody marvellous. I don't work for them, honest!!

I second Dermalogica for young skin (not cheap but does work). Products you could look at are:

Special Cleansing Gel or Demal Clay Cleanser
Skin Prep Scrub
Medibac Overnight Clearing Gel
Active Moist (if you're looking for a moisturiser, you may not be)

Have found Dermalogica facials excellent too.

thanks will go and have a look at local Dermologica salon

Tweezerman blackhead remover. Steam first to open pores and away you go. DD1's nose is FINALLY clear after using this, but my god, the gunk that comes out!

Sanctuary spa do a thermal detox mask with charcoal which is quite effective; it warms up to open pores, and the charcoal and clay soak up the excess oil. You can get it in boots and it's not expensive.

Squeezing etcetera may just damage and stretch pores, making the problem worse in the long run.

I saw the tweezermans on Amazon - but it looks a bit scary!Good to know they are effective.

Alfafa - will have a look in boots at the mask - the dermologica stuff others have recommended looks great but is a bit pricey atm for us so Sanctauary stuff would be a good start.

Thanks

Take her for an extraction facial and to the GP.

My DSS1 has quite bad blackheads and acne, and a combination of regular extraction facials (for the blackheads) and antibiotics (for the spots) does wonders.