Blackheads - help!

[buildingmycorestrength]

They are slowly getting worse and spreading outwards from my nose. What should I do besides squeezing them?

I try to do a weekly face mask - the ones that go on, dry like a film and then are peeled off are pretty good for black heads (or get a blackhead remove tool from boots - it's a metal implement that helps you squeeze the black head out (most satisfying!))

Do you have blackheads or sebaceous filaments? Most people think that the filaments are actually blackheads.

An article about blackheads and sebaceous filaments: voices.yahoo.com/sebaceous-filaments-no-they-arent-blackheads-6387426.html?cat=69
And here's an article with pictures: customskinsolutions.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/the-truth-about-blackheads/

I rarely get blackheads, but have sebaceous filaments, and they seem less visible if I cleanse my skin well every day. I use a Clarisonic and Clinique anti-blemish solutions cleansing foam (I use the 3-step system) in the morning, and in the evening I either use the same cleansing foam or some makeup remover wipes from the local supermarket.
Using pore strips just irritates my skin and the black dots comes back in a few days after using them, so it feels a bit pointless.

This mask is great for blackhead elimination

www.amazon.co.uk/QUEEN-HELENE-Original-MASQUE-226-8G/dp/B005J4P2TG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1371339384&sr=8-2&keywords=mint+julep+masque

this has really helped her rid of my blackheads

Thanks everyone. They are not the proper blackheads (the kind that look like black pepper on your nose and are visible from a distance). I guess, they are sebaceous filaments. Or maybe just enlarged pores?

I use an exfoliator daily and Nivea Q10 moisturiser. They're just getting worse...maybe just age!

Will try a peel mask and maybe the scrubs recommended....thanks!

Watching with interest - I have the same problem.

I had no.idea about sebaceous filaments. All these years I've thought I suffered from blackheads and actually I rarely get them at all. Time wasted worrying about my terrible skin which is actually ok.

I blame the beauty/magazine industry...you never see them saying 'oh, most people's skin is ok and doesn't need expensive miracle products'

vibbe i think i love you! All these years wasted trying to squeeze my face pointlessly! I will accept and leave well alone :)

Oh my goodness - another one who thought she had terrible blackheads, but it turns out they're sebaceous filaments. So I might as well stop squeezing them. But a blackhead by any other name will look as grim, unfortunately. My nose is a totally covered in the things.

I use neutrogena as well, it helps. I leave it on for a minute or two around the nubbly bit of me face and sponge it off with vigour, takes a lot of crap with it.

Vibbe thank you!!! Another one who thought she had blackheads and doesn't, how about that.

It sort of explains my 'solution' though -- I used to have terrible 'blackheads' until a few years ago, when I started using La Roche-Posay micellar solution (it's like toner for sensitive skin, Avene does one as well). My skin looked loads better within a couple weeks, I don't really have a problem with 'blackheads' now, though I see this is probably just because I'm getting a better cleanse than when I was just using cleanser.

So just cleansing well is the answer?

Well, you learn something new everyday, I thought my nose was full of blackheads, and it isn't!!! Thank you Vibbe!!!!!!

OMG this is a revelation!!