Deep blackhead on DS's forehead. Ideas for removal

[sunshinechaser]

My DS is 14 and has started getting bumpy, slightly spotty skin as he's going through puberty. He had a raised bump on his forehead which has now fallen off but it's left a really deep black mark that I presume is a blackhead. He's a bit self conscious about it so I wondered if anyone had recommendations for skincare for teens that might help.
He currently uses Cerave blemish face wash that contains salicylic acid and niacinamide and applies salicylic acid lotion twice daily. This usually keeps his skin in good condition but not sure how long this will continue to work as his skin gets spottier with age.

Get squeezing it! And video it

Take him to the GP. There's lots they can prescribe to help, which will avoid scarring etc. please don't take advice from randoms on the internet!!

Squeeze it and film it then stick it on Sporners corner, you may have to offer him money but it will be worth it!
Joking (sort of) aside you can get a special tool so as not to damage the skin but I am told that the u end of a bobby pin bent together or crossed works very well too, you can soften the surrounding skin with hot water first.

GP for a blackhead?

Yeah I'd definitely not recommend squeezing it! I presume this might leave a scar. It's honestly really not bad enough to warrant a GP appt I don't think. Using the face wash and SA lotion keeps his skin clear at the moment but if this stops working I'll def take him to get seen. I'm just wondering if there's anything else that might clear a single blackhead.

If he had a lump that fell off are you sure it's not a wart or verruca perhaps spread through a towel used to dry his feet or something?

It actually looks like a verruca. Can you get these on your face???!? Mind blown!

Can you post a pic with a ruler next to it so we can see the size of it?

I'll take a photo when I get home-I'm at work just now (on my lunch break honest 😂 )

Not sure you can but you can get skin tags and possibly warts on your face

if it is a blackhead, a hot flannel to really open up the pore beforehand can help before squeezing- covering the fingers with a bit of tissue can help with grip but less damaging than those blackhead remover tools that can be really painful and harsh. If you do manage to squeeze it out a really cold flannel straight over the area afterwards can really help the pore to shrink back, to stop any bleeding and reduce redness and swelling.

Use cotton buds. To squeeze it after a hot bath when the pores are open.
No scars

If I've understood correctly, he's 14, in puberty, with spotty skin and now what appears to be a deep blackhead on his forehead he's self-conscious about despite you supplying him with special facial wash. When this happened with my son, a GP visit got him a referral to a dermatology clinic. He got a short course of roaccutane, his skin cleared up and, when he went to follow up at dermatology, they discontinued the medication and signed him off the clinic. So I wouldn't totally discount seeking medical advice but only you know what the state of his skin is so go with your gut feeling

I would be itching to squeeze it 😂

As a teenager (a long time ago) the only thing that kept my spots at bay was the Clearasil pads.

@GranPepper I will take him to see the GP if his current skin care stops working but he really doesn't need it just now. His skin is completely clear apart from this black mark. If however he forgets to use the face wash or SA lotion, his skin is covered in greasy bumps. He's good at remembering it thank goodness.

@StormingNorman yes I remember using these too! I think they are just acid and alcohol which is kind of what he's using at the moment anyway. I'll keep an eye on it though and get him on the stronger stuff if it gets worse. I use tretinoin so I'm wondering if I should dot that on the black mark....

Acid and alcohol sounds about right. They were brutal 😂

I think it was the scratchy side that made the difference for me. Do you have a scrub he could try?

Waiting for the photo before commenting … 😏

I say this as someone who has suffered with life long skin issues. The OP would be better off going private to see a dermatologist or aesthetician for treatment for her son.

What about a trip to a beautician that does extractions?

If it's a blackhead get those strips you wet and put over it until it dries then you peel it off and the blackhead comes with it 👌🏼

Except they’ve never worked for anyone have they?

Waiting for photo

I don't think a beautician would touch a child's face for a blackhead extraction. I saw that Boots do a private acne service and supply all the prescription only creams needed after you upload a photo. The only problem with that is I'd need to tell him to stop his current regime so he got spotty enough to warrant the stronger stuff!

One of my DCs has had some deep blackheads in the past (Cerave currently keeping them at bay).

To clear them I put a flannel soaked in hot salt water on first, to soften them up and then gently squeeze with tissues on my fingers or with cotton buds. Then cleanse again afterwards,

It's old school but it works and never any scarring. Once a blackhead has built up I don't think any products will clear it. Needs a squeeze.