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.

Still feeling weirdly invested in this 🍿

@NoStyleLeft he’s just steamed his face again and I tried to stick a needle in it. There’s just no way-it’s not like an adult’s blackhead. His pores are tight and tiny. So tiny you can’t see them. I have open pores and blackheads on my nose and the pores are big so easy to stick a needle into. His blackhead is totally flat on the surface so I’d need to break the skin and I think I’d make a mess of his skin.

You'd have to take him to a dermatologist to get it professionally removed.

I personally would get some tweezers and use it to cut the skin and then pull the blackhead out. A needle is too thin to do anything.

I was just about to suggest tweezers instead, sharp ones with slanted ends. Use the sharp end to gently break the skin. Don't forget to sterilise both the tweezers and the skin with isopropyl alcohol beforehand.

Try a medicine syringe. Put the opening over the blackhead and gently pull back the plunger, worked a treat on DS's blackheads. And quite satisfying!

Obviously only do this if you have had it checked. Posted again below!

Sure this has been mentioned, but have you seen a medical professional to make sure it is actually a blackhead because from your pictures, I am not so sure it is and mucking about with tweezers etc is a bad idea.

Ooh I love that idea!

the syringe that is

I’m sorry, but I don’t think this is a blackhead. Faffing about at this point is dangerous.

Yes, I don't think it's a blackhead either.

Dp has one of these on his shoulder, it’s been there for years, so I’m watching with interest

What did the beautician think it was?
I appreciate it's hard to take a photo of, but it doesn't really look like a blackhead to me.
Anyway if it is a blackhead, you will have to pierce the skin in one way or another, it's not going to go away if you don't!

@wandawaves the beautician agreed it was definitely a blackhead. We saw her twice and she tried to dig about with her tools get it out but she couldn’t manage. She didn’t want to risk scarring his skin.

That really looks like a freckle !! They can just randomly appear can’t they

Pore of winter. Google it. Looks the same

Winer not winter

It looks nothing likeva dilated pore of winer, it's too small and too light

Oh it’ so does!

A beautician isnt the person you need to see. GP first, just to be on the safe side. Its the second photo that makes me think it isnt a black head. I really wouldnt risk it without seeing a GP.

Any update?

@Christmasbear1 😂 no unfortunately not! He has been applying The Ordinary salicylic acid charcoal mask every single evening and it’s possibly raising it a bit. It maybe is cleaning the top layer ever so slightly but it’s still stuck fast.
I also ditched the Differin (adapalene) as it wasn’t making any difference at all and he’s now applying my tretinoin 0.025% every night. Not making much difference yet though.
He has a GP appt next week but I’m 50/50 if I’ll take him as I’m really not sure what they can add-he’s on the strongest topical treatment as far as I’m aware so don’t think they will be able to prescribe anything stronger.
I’ve also booked him a private dermatologist appt next month but again I’m 50/50 if we’ll go as it is one blackhead so seems a bit over the top. It’s £350 and DH thinks I’m being ridiculous. Plus the only paediatric derm I could book states he doesn’t ’do surgery on patients aged under 17’ so again I don’t know what he’ll be able to add. I wouldn’t be keen on DS taking any oral treatment as the rest of his skin is completely clear.
Thanks for asking!

If it was on my own face I would be sticking the pin through, I would go through the side to try and get underneath it then give it a good squeeze. It’s obviously not what a dermatologist would recommend but I would rather risk a small scar than live with the blackhead.

Have you tried the black head suction tools?

Or the blackhead plasters that pull off?

Both cheap.

@Silvertulips we’ve honestly tried everything. The Biore strips didn’t work. Also have a blackhead ‘toolkit’ type thing which didn’t work. He’s tried piercing it with a sterile needle each night before steaming it-didn’t work. Tried oil cleansing and the Dots for Spots sticker things-didn’t work.
Tried strong salicylic acid face peel (10%) and benzoyl peroxide cream-useless.
Took him to a teen beautician twice and she couldn’t get it out.
It’s completely stuck!

I’m really worried that it’s not a blackhead. Don’t skip the GP.

@BettyBardMacDonald it’s 100% a blackhead. It’s really obvious when you see it in real life. It doesn’t photograph well on my Apple phone at all.