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.

Lol - I'm just imagining pouncing on my son as soon as he comes home from school... hey dear, can you stay still whilst I take a pic of your spot for strangers on the internet. He'd roll his eyes so hard they'd dislocate!
(I'd also very much be a spot photographer!)

If it's a blackhead, the only thing to remove it is literally removing it. Creams etc won't work.

No wonder anybody can get an appointment. SURELY a pharmacy should be the first port of call?

tbh, the people asking for pictures of a child are a bit creepy really.

No, a beautician (if the acne is generally mild) for an extraction, or a consultant dermatologist if the acne looks more serious. Pharmacists are not allowed to do blackhead extractions!

But theyre not, they are asking for a photo of a zit, the owner of the face its on is neither here nor there. The same question would be asked if it was a middle aged woman and a very old man.

Can I ask if your son had to go through the process of taking antibiotics first, before being prescribed roaccutane? Thanks

No, you're wrong.

It can be VERY drying and destroy the skin barrier so use it with caution. Perhaps once every few days.

For blackheads you could try azelaic acid, something like Skinoren cream which is prescription only. The online acne clinics in Boots and Superdrug are usually for over 18s I think, so if I were you, OP, I'd do an e-consult with your GP if possible and send a picture. If you've already tried OTC benzoyl peroxide don't be fobbed off with another prescription of that. Ask to try Skinoren maybe.

As far as I'm aware magnesium sulphate paste isn't recommended anymore and is probably discontinued.

@sunshinechaser Magnesium sulphate used to be THE ''go to'' stuff for splinters in fingers and stuff in dog's paws- DS had a monster raggedy oak splinter in his hand that had to be cut out with a scalpel blade- it rose up like Excalibur, such was the infection behind it. But the paste helped soften the skin first. Healed without issue.

Wish I'd videoed it for sporner's corner.

Shame it's been discontinued.

You can buy azelaic acid on Amazon for about £6

Waiting in anticipation

It was a light hearted jokey reply surely you can see that

Steam/sauna?
Ds 15 skin is better since he's been swimming every week tbh

He did not, no. I took him to GP, they looked at my son's face, they referred him to dermatology. He got prescribed roaccutane. He took it for a few months. His face cleared up. This would have been around mid 2000's. I was very grateful my son got sorted and had no acne scars visible

Just here for the pic.

Op you should move this to Sporner Corner, you'll get more suggestions for sure. I agree that the only way to deal with it is extraction creams don't get rid of the plug of grot.

Did no one ever

Was it, ok then, good

Absolutely this!

I'll be furious if I find out people are making and getting GP appointments for spots when Ive struggled for about 6 weeks to see an actual doctor anywhere

I wouldn't recommend this. Apart from the fact that you could be buying any old shit, proper prescription strength cream, 20%, is what you need.

You sound very creepy the way you have phrased that. Quite inappropriate actually.

I have to have my lumps and bumps regularly recorded - I always tell the photographer how much I envy his job!

It's such a relief for teenagers that there is much more help for severe acne available now.

Wrong! 10% is the recommended strength
edited over the counter is 10%
Stronger is prescribed

You can buy strips that stick to the black head and it pulls them out. I think it is biore?