Best advice for 8yr old's blackheads :(

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hi,

I came here because posters are so knowledgeable about skincare and have recommended stuff that has helped MY acne a lot over the years!

I have an 8yr old dc who's unfortunately started to get blackheads :( I'm so unsure about the best way to treat this, if I google I see lots of recommendations for facewashes, scrubs etc BUT I was also an early starter re. blackheads and I'm convinced all the early facewashes and squeezing my mum did (as per advice at the time) just aggravated things in the long run.

Is she better off cleansing with a balm or lotion and hot cloth like I do? I occasionally put a thin layer of Effaclar Duo on the blackheads but they're neither worse nor better. I also put a thin patch of clay mask on overnight about once a week, just on the small area. Again this hasn't made things better or worse.

I know there are countless teen/preteen products out there but from personal experience I'm just not sure they do much good in the long run. Would so appreciate advice from any skincare gurus.

bump

She needs to drink plenty of water to flush trapped oil from her skin as a long term solution. Get her a recyclable bottle and give her a target (depending on size) of how many bottles to drink a day.

In the short term, I'd get some Tea Tree Pore Strips from Superdrug, then ensure face is kept clean.

Overall, I'd be mindful of relating these things (particularly drinking water) to health. 8 is far too young to get caught up in looks and potentially developing a complex.

I wouldn't do anything to make an 8 y o think they look imperfect in any way. I would not mention it to her or do anything to her skin except keep it clean.

Are the blackheads on the nose?

Are you sure they aren't sebaceous filaments?

If so, please don't worry about it and don't make her think there's anything wrong or that they need to be picked at.

Thanks very much all. They are blackheads, not sebaceous filaments, and yes, they're on the nose. The tip to really up the water is excellent.

I wouldn't do anything to make an 8 y o think they look imperfect in any way. I would not mention it to her or do anything to her skin except keep it clean.

Okay, so I understand why you said this, but simply her skin is getting oily (we also have other signs of early adrenarche) and the overall 'about keeping clean' business is going to have to start a little earlier than it would with an older preteen. I am EXTREMELY mindful of not starting a complex, but I also know that it's not always helpful to ignore the issue completely.

That probably didn't come across very well in my OP but I'm certainly very aware of it. Really I just wondered what the best way to cleanse very young skin like this is.

I had this with my dd at the same age. She started using Cetaphil gentle foaming cleanser and her skin is clear now. Its really mild and PH balanced so suitable for young skin. The ones she did have came out really easily with these www.k-beauty.co.uk/products/skin-care-k-beauty-uk-cosrx-blackhead-silk-finger-ball?variant=16429970685998&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2020-07-22&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtsv7BRCmARIsANu-CQdN2Gqnq7xz2M_cnoB-eCPztwrV8r2-10Cv7TDOGy_14xzNFQdKlYgaAvFWEALw_wcB

XiCi, I have never seen those things before! Wow, they're cool. Thank you for the Cetaphil recommendation - that's great.

Yes the cetaphil is great, it really made a difference. Please dont use those pull off strips ether. They're really harsh and can damage the skin

I know you said they are blackheads and not sebaceous filaments but I’ve yet to see anyone with actual blackheads on their nose let alone a child.
Anyway, I would recommend salicylic acid on the nose. Will help to clear out the pores. You could use a scrub on it aswell.

My dds blackheads (only a couple of them) were at the side of the nose in the crease where people usually get blackheads. I've never in my life seen a child with sebaceous filaments.

I’ve yet to see anyone with actual blackheads on their nose let alone a child
Your photo to illustrate this shows blackheads on the nose

I started mine with the cheap aldi wipes at that age, they are sensitive and biodegradable.
That helped, but my now 11 year old has just started with spots. So I’ve upped now to ones with salicylic acid in. They are “yes to tomato wipes”.

It’s made the world of difference. I’ve been really trying not to squeeze, which is a shame as it’s my favourite past time.
Although those silk things Linked above look brilliant.

I decided wipes are a better option for my eldest as I know she’d moan about “my face is wet”
“My pyjamas are wet”
And the risk of not washing it off properly But yours may be more sensible!

Thank you EvilPea yes I totally get where you're coming from re.'my pyjamas are wet' I'm glad it's not just mine that likes to moan!

For us I think wipes however gentle will be too harsh, as dc's skin is, like mine, sensitive.

I am really grateful for all the tips and shared experiences.

Doesn't every parent squeeze their child's black heads. My mum did. I loved it!

Please don't squeeze your child's blackheads. My mum did and it was utterly traumatising and shaming. Awful thing to do.

Nope, no squeezing. As per my op I don't think it's helpful.

From the bottom of my irrelevant heart, Thank you

OK, I understand why no squeezing but my 15 year old has the most terrible deep set blackheads. Some of them come out like a maggot of hard dirt. He doesn't have acne, just an be arsed to wash his face. I don't see any other option but to squeeze them out. I usually do about 1 a week. I have told him that if he doesn't wash his face, then I am squeezing them out.

Do those silk things really work? Would they work on deep blackheads?

You do know that blackheads are not caused by dirty or unwashed skin, right?

If he wants to squeeze them let him squeeze them himself. Don't be that mother, and for goodness sake don't make him feel bad about his skin. It can happen to anyone, and it doesn't define him.

And, over cleansing the face can actually make them worse, so be careful with that.

I Have this problem too, my son is 11

We are
Upping the water intake and reducing dairy and sugar without being over the top
He is washing his nose with a face wash for teen skin
Once a week I let him do his nose with one of my nip and fab pads

He brought to to my attention because it was bothering him.

I’ve always had similar issues with my nose and no bugger thought it mattered so I do think it’s important to sort it out

www.boots.com/clean-and-clear-deep-cleansing-lotion-for-sensitive-skin-200ml-10001767?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc--PLAs--(GB:Whoop!)+Clean+%26+Clear-_-(GB:Whoop!)+Boots+Shopping+-+Category+-+Beauty+-+Mobile&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6t6YwfiQ7AIVTM3tCh0KfAdBEAQYASABEgLBQPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

This has really improved DS’s skin. He uses it every evening and no irritation.

Also Wokes, it’s good for the lazy! DS wipes it over his face on cotton wool pads in bed. It’s salicylic based.

Reading with interest. I have always had very bad blackheads or Sebacious glands or whatever they are from a very early age. my DS1 has had them since the start of secondary and my DS2 has had them in the last couple of years of primary.