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.

To me this looks clearly like a freckle / mole . My daughter had one that size or a bit smaller on her forehead although it was a bit darker and seemed to appear overnight . I’m a go to the doctor as a last resort person but for moles I would always go . The GP referred her to dermatologist as it was out of keeping with the rest of her spots / freckles etc and he was in no doubt at all about removing it x

Looks like a blackhead to me. I remember dealing with similar in my teens. I’d go with giving it a really long steam and then using one of those tools that you use to press down around it rather than squeezing. If he finds sitting over a bowl to steam hard (I don’t like it) then send him off for a nice hot bath. You can keep adding hot water as you acclimatise. Obviously not as hot as actual boiling water, but it does work, just more slowly, and has the advantage of actually being pleasant.

I can feel the tension of Team Squeeze on here 😂

Search up Pore of Winer op.

Not read the whole thread so sorry if this has already been suggested, but a thick paste of bicarb and water may help to draw the oils out

It could be a cyst - you can get flat ones with black heads - if you are able to use one of the squeezing tools, it will push something out but will probably come back again.

Ah rugby. Well it could be dirt was embedded in his skin. Formed a scab, scab fell off leaving the dirt embedded. Used to happen to my two on their hands, arms and legs.

@Letmegohome oo I’ve got no idea! I got mine from Amazon probably about 3 months ago but it seems to have disappeared from my order history 🤷🏼‍♀️

@justasking111 could be-he comes home filthy from rugby so I wouldn't be surprised!

Squeeze it squeeze it squeeze it

Oh I would squeeze that. It looks like it may be an enlarged pore of winer and those get bigger and bigger the longer you leave it.

Team don't squeeze! I have acne (have done for years) and sometimes get those dark marks after a spot which can be blood pooling under the surface of the skin. With most acne best to be as gentle as possible and stick to topicals. Time is a great healer, and sometimes a bit of sudocrem goes a long way.

Squuuuuuueeeeeezzzzzeeeee please.

The only thing I'm taking from this is that my kids are neglected. I have 3 teens and none of them uses all this funky acid and stuff. I did foist some face washes on them at some point. I think one of them used them when they had a girlfriend for a bit. Do teens not just get spots any more without going to a dermatologist/beautician/buying the entire skin care counter of boots?

@OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea I'd rather he didn't have to put up with spots if I can easily give him products to clear his skin. I have a few friends who have deep acne scars as adults and again I'd rather he avoided that too if I can help him.
I'm a skincare junkie though and take my routines very seriously so I'm probably going for overkill here!

Me too it's so tempting

@Nost what can the gp prescribe?. My dd was given antibiotics and a topical cream but her back is scarred.
She still has a stubborn patch

I was absolutely thrilled when I found one last week just above my year old C-section scar never had one before and I hope it comes back I miss it dearly 😁

I've actually got a facemask on at the moment. My teens are perplexed. I don't think I'm cut out for beauty because as I wait for it to dry so I can peel it off I keep getting my hair stuck on it, keep scratching my nose and I really don't know how glasses are supposed to be worn but I can't see without them.

Anyway. I would squeeze it because I bloody love a bit of pus.

I need to blow my nose.

@ouch44 sorry what does your dd use? I googled the name thinking it was a product but it's a medical service? What product did they give you?

Op what products should anyone use?

It really doesn't

It's hardly acne is it?!
You will make the poor kid paranoid
Also if you are a "skincare junkie" you should have some idea of how to approach this , or you are just wasting your money on random products
( Most of which I presume are topical and do very little any way)

Go to local beauty therapist they do teen facials and will sort out the blackhead.

My daughter had one like this on her back.

she used a cream with salicylic acid but also now and then we’d apply an exfoliant cream I have and eventually it started coming to the surface and she picked it out.

Also, for acne on her face both a private dermatologist and then her GP prescribed Duac.

Duac Gel (3% & 5%) is one of the most popular acne treatments in the UK. It works by killing the bacteria that’s responsible for causing acne and is clinically proven to help reduce symptoms, ease flare-ups and prevent acne from spreading.