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.

My DC had pretty bad breakouts and we went to a dietician. After a complete dietary overhaul, it cleared up. There’s always a flare-up after we get back from holidays, when we let the diet slip.

Clay masks can be very good after a face is lightly steamed.
Pores open and on goes clay and rinse off in a shower with a gentle exfoliating soap.
Tell him picking will only leave marks.
I would definitely try a professional extraction if you can and it has potential to scar.

When it is fully healed, rubbing a little light cream or oil on the area, bringing blood to the area will help with any scaring.

look @sunshinechaser am I getting a video or not?

impatient 😂

OP isn’t picking it tonight! 😂

@FuckThePoPo you'd be very disappointed I'm afraid. He had a long, steamy shower and washed his forehead with a scrubby mit thing and salicylic acid face wash. Then tried to squeeze it for a few minutes. Nothing happened. It's stuck fast.
I've ordered a blackhead extraction tool from Amazon so fingers crossed it'll pop out tomorrow.

@sunshinechaser please do it carefully, if used incorrectly you are applying a lot of pressure to small area, which can bruise, or damage the skin. It should be sterilised, before putting anywhere near the skin

Yes I think the age rec is 16. DD was 15 when we first did it but we just lied. She got adapalene and niacinamide. Must use SPF. She's probably only had to use 3 vials over a year if not more! She had bumps under the skin nothing over the counter could get rid of. Probably ended up saving money as just buy simple wash now instead of all the Cerave etc she was trying.

I think it looks really deep and I think you should expect it to take some time. The skin around looks nice and clear and healthy and the blackhead extractor isn’t going to magically make a difference when it’s so deep. Good tips here: www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/deep-blackheads#prevention-tips

She gets adapalene and niacinimide. She uses it in with moisturiser. I think we’ve only paid for 3 months worth because it worked so quickly and hardly had to use it any more. She had stubborn whiteheads under the skin nothing else could shift

Looks like it could be a Dilated Pore of Winer as mentioned by@Cesarina. I looked this up when Cesarina mentioned it. I have one on my shoulder.

Doesn’t look like a blackhead to me. Looks pigmented. Just keep an eye on it.

I don’t think that looks like a blackhead. I think it looks like a little mole or freckle.

@Intensiv14 op has already decided it's a blackhead and bought a tool ... What could go wrong there? It's ok she is "skin care junkie " & ignored most sensible advice

No doubt it is easier for OP to see and figure out what it is in real life though.

Then why ask for advice to ignore it? @Piverlool

@Letmegohome
There is a lot of conflicting advice on this thread. It’s impossible for OP to follow all of it!

@Piverlool but if they dont know what it is, why go at it with a tool? It doesn't seem like a great plan . But not my "black head", not my kid not my worry .

Would it be a cutaneous horn our son suddenly got one when he was about 13 they had to freeze it off. A gritty scrub might help we used to use one called clean&clear. I don't know if they still do it or if it's the same formula hard to find a good face scrub. not cheap for full versions but I know they do trial sizes of Kate somerville exfolikate exfoliator. The best I have seen you have to leave on for a couple of minutes.

@ouch44 thanks so much. I'm going to do that. I love Dermatica for me.
@Peachy2005 great article thanks. Good advice there.

My eldest used to suffer with bumpy skin, we went to the GP, got the antibiotic cream etc but nothing worked as well as a prescription to Dermatica (think I've spent that right!). It was recommended on another thread here & we tried it. We couldn't believe the results! They somewhat tailor it for your needs & follow progression through online photos you send in to your account. We've stopped now as there's no need no for it, but it was around £25 a month, plus the face wash

@Emma330912 that's great to know thanks. I think it's a great service as there's no private dermatologists near me. Can you remember what the prescription was for your eldest?

Same here. I think we’ve had 3 subscriptions in over a year. First one was an offer. I reckon it probably cost less than all we were paying on Cereve, La Roche Posay etc.

A couple of suggestions here are unsafe. They no longer recommend steaming with your head over a bowl due to the risks of scalding.

The pore vacuums can damage the skin.

If he was mine I'd squeeze after he's had a shower. The most effective way is to open the pore with a sterilised needle and itch should come out easily.

When I trained as a beautician, although yonks ago, we extracted by softening the skin with a hot cloth first, then simply wrapped tissue around each index finger, not to leave nail marks and to grip around the skin, and then gently wriggle either side, it's never failed to bring one out.

...........Just a heads-up, if you squeeze and manage to remove a Dilated Pore of Winer, it leaves a hole which usually gets filled up with another one! The substance is keratin, and I think they have to be medically excised by a dermatologist to get rid of them completely. They're actually harmless and benign, but of course don't look nice!