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.

If his current skincare regime is working, other than this blackhead, then I wouldn't advise changing anything. You've been given some excellent advice on scar-free blackhead removal, so I would get rid of it, so he's no longer self-conscious.

Sorry but Roaccutane would be complete overkill for a blackhead. It is a very serious medication with potentially very severe side effects.

I'm so jealous of all you people whose dcs will let them squeeze their blackheads

Blackheads sometimes can work their way out with salycilic acid products (they sort of exfoliate from the bottom of the blocked pore upwards - the plug of dead skin cells and oil shrinks and falls out - but sometimes the 'owner' has to wear a face of extruding blackheads while it happens) or tretinoin.

BUT: I'm a squeezer, and I point, in my defence, to the many dermatologists that DO squeeze because, left in place, a blackhead can become inflamed and infected, and you end up with a bigger cystic spot.

So watch and wait on this one. See if hot showers and compresses, and salycilic products help it along.

And if you think that your son might need a harder-edged prescription treatment later, download the NICE guidelines on acne, which sets out the different NHS treatment pathways.

Use blackhead removal tools to ease it out. Cleanse after with salicylic acid products. Blackheads of size done disappear by themselves- and they only get bigger if left.

Good call as you know as his mum

It wasn't for a blackhead. It was for spotty skin that was bordering on acne that would have been at risk of leaving scars

I'm here for the photo

< rubs thighs >

You can get a kind of face hoover, it's amazing on blackheads. You just hold hot flannel on it to open the pores, prick it with a sterile pin a couple of times then run the face vacuum slowly over it until it pops out. It catches it on a little sponge too so you can see your prize!

My DD had a big one on her nose which just got larger and larger. It started to look as though she had a piercing. In the end I put warm flannels on it for several minutes and then touched it with a blackhead removing tool and it basically popped straight out of her face. Most satisfactory.

I'm wringing my hands in anticipation

Clearly, I was referring to the OP's son ("would be"). That is obvious.

@sunshinechaser
This is unlikely, but have a look at images of a Dilated Pore of Winer, (no, I'd never heard of them either). They can look like blackheads but aren't.
You can Google them, and also you may find some examples on Mumsnet's Sporner's Corner.
I say unlikely because it's usually adults that suffer with them.
As a sidestep, my son was plagued with awful acne in his teens. The only treatment that worked was Roaccutane.
Yes, it did very much have side effects including causing his mood to be very low, but he persevered and the condition never returned.
Only a consultant dermatologist, or a member of his/her team, can prescribe this, and the pros and cons were carefully explained to him.

Where’s the photo?!

The teen in question probably got (rightfully) suspicious and wouldn’t allow photo to be taken 🤣

My DS used to have quite bad skin and I used the blackhead removal tools sometimes, soak the area first to soften it, they were quite good.

Black head removal strips

Don’t squeeze with your fingers. My DS had a massive one on his nose. I couldn’t look at him without looking at it too! It drove me to distraction. I tried the strips, charcoal face mask to pull it out, little bit of squeezing etc. I think it was the blackhead remover tool that got it in the end. It seemed to be stuck under a layer of skin. Anyway, there is a slight mark/hole on his nose but thankfully doesn’t seem to have refilled.

Well, I was the person who said a short course roaccutane helped my son who was in puberty with spotty skin (which OP suggested her son was experiencing) and then you posted that roaccutane wasn't suitable for a blackhead. I said I wasn't talking about it for a blackhead. I have said OP knows the situation about her son's skin and should follow her gut. It really wasn't obvious or clear you were referring to the OP's son. It appeared to be a reaction to my post referencing roaccutane (which was intended to be helpful in case it helped OP). The OP has made it clear this is not something she thinks is necessary atm and I am in agreement because OP knows her own son and his skin.

Buy one of those pore suckers from Amazon!

It'll have to be squeezed out. Blackheads don't go by themselves and can get huge if left. I speak as somebody who had dreadful acne as a teen that required a dermatologist. Warm the area and cover fingers or use two cotton buds or a blackhead remover tool. It won't leave a scar. What will leave a hole is if it's left to keep getting bigger and deeper and it'll also end up being a repetitive problem. Get it out, cold water or ice straight after and some aloe gel.

DS17 has been using face wash with salicylic acid in and neat salicylic acid cleanser. It doesn’t make any difference and his skin isn’t that bad.

Pics or it didn't happen....and tell him I'll pay him to get my thumbs on it.

How are you not a 'random' on the internet?

I would try steaming his face every day for a couple of weeks and seeing if it works it's way to the surface.