Help me to be cured of blackheads.

martin · #1 (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 09:05 AM

I have been facing problems of blackheads and they seem to be getting worse. It really makes you look ugly and I am worried that if they will ever go away. If anyone of you has been in a similar situation or may be if you people know the cure for this, please let me know.

Joan.of.the.Arch · #2 (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 10:10 AM

Salicylic acid (also called beta hydroxy acid or 2-hydroxybenzoic acid) in a low pH solution applied directly to the skin and left there until next washing. Use daily. Takes weeks to make a big difference and must be continued indefinitely, as it is not a one-time cure, but an ongoing treatment. Read about it at Paula Begoun - The Cosmetics Cop - Paula's Choice (I have no financial interst in this commerical website) and at Salicylic acid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

MonkeyMama · #3 (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 01:24 PM

I actually get blackheads on my nose and use "vanishing cream." I believe it is Clearasil. (Trying to remember the brand off the top of my head).

Mine aren't too bad and this medicine is strong so I usually do okay just using it once or twice a week. But agreed with Joan - they will come back unless you continue the regimen.

jIM_Ohio · #4 (**permalink**) 03-13-2008, 01:27 PM

I heard pimples etc are a sign of stress. Maybe relax, have a beer (or two or three) and just keep good personal hygiene.

MonkeyMama · #5 (**permalink**) 03-14-2008, 05:46 AM

I think blackheads are a different animal. LOL. For me they are just always there unless I zap them. Pimples are a completely different story.

Aleta · #6 (**permalink**) 03-14-2008, 12:49 PM

I would say that if you have been having this for a long time; it might be time to go visit a dermatologist. They are pretty good at diagnosing these things. You might look at stressful days to see if you break out morel Keep a journal and even write down what you eat and when.

PrincessPerky · #7 (**permalink**) 03-15-2008, 07:44 AM

whatever you do, be consistent...occasional use means occasional improvement, but it can't 'cumulate' so find a product you like, pick a routine and stick with it...but don't over do the drying products (or you will end up with pimples as your body over produces oil to compensate)

I had constant trouble with black heads and acne, till I discovered a sugar scrub..really sugar, white sugar. but then thinking more was better I went and used it every day...ended up with a burned face..how one can burn their face with sugar I don't know, but I did. now weekly seems to keep the black heads down, without inviting burns...though stress does bring on some pimples still.

Aleta · #8 (**permalink**) 03-15-2008, 08:02 AM

Princess Perky: I think that sugar is considered acidic. Some products use fruit products for sloughing off the dead skin cells. Milk is an acidic product as well.

jasanderson · #9 (**permalink**) 03-16-2008, 08:25 PM

There is a difference between blackheads and pimples. Blackheads are generally the result of dirt, skin cells and oil blocking your pores (think of a cork plugging a hole - same concept). A pimple is actually the pore getting infected.

Good hygiene is your best cure for blackheads. It is very important you wash your face in the morning and then again before you go to bed with a cleanser designed for your face and use a facial astringent to slough dead skin cells. Do not use bar soap as this will actually dry your skin out which can irritate it or in some people make you produce excess oils and then you will be more prone to getting pimples. You need to use a good facial cleanser to dissolve the excess oils on your face and wash the dirt away.

You didn't mention but i would assume they are on your face. Most people do not recommend this but it probably wouldn't hurt for you to buy a blackhead remover (beauty section of target/walmart etc.). It's basically a tool that has a hole on the end you put over the blackhead and push down and it pops it out. You need to keep a proper cleansng ritual or it will clog back up again. If you just leave them they will either keep getting bigger or eventually get infected and turn into a gross pimple.

PetMom · #10 (**permalink**) 03-17-2008, 09:40 AM

I like Princess Perky's tip, I too have used sugar and also cornmeal as an excellent and super cheap homemade microdermabrasion type thing.

You have to watch out for bacteria forming so you keep it in a jar in fridge or just set out a batch for a day or two.

Sugar dissolves as it gets wet making it a bit milder. Also the most pleasant one to use in terms of scent.
Cornmeal stays the same texture when wet, smells like cornbread.
Do not use Salt ever - ouch!

And I have even made a homemade coffee grounds body scrub with cocoa powder/vegetable oil that was wonderful (and a great use for leftover coffee grounds). Messy but effective and smells great.

Always use very gently when starting with scrubs but I love them! Really deep cleanses the pores and the effects are great - radiance without the high price tag meaning you radiate more as your bank account is not ransacked.

Aleta · #11 (**permalink**) 03-17-2008, 12:24 PM

Coffee grounds and baby oil mixed together and rubbed on the area with cellulite is great. You can see a difference automatically.

LuxLiving · #12 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 10:01 AM

Up your zinc levels via supplementation and wash face w/HOT water. I use Redkens beauty bar (pink) get it at a beauty supply house (actually redkens may no longer make this but ask for a beauty bar and they'll have an equivalent. Then rinse w/diluted apple cider vinegar & water. Rinse two or three time w/the HOT water. (no not scalding, but hot.)

This is the regimen I used w/my teen boys and people were always asking me why my kids had no zits and blackheads.

mackybethsmommy · #13 (**permalink**) 04-04-2008, 07:30 PM

I used St. Ives medicated apricot scrub. I works great and it only costs a couple of dollars and lasts a long time. It is strong enough to clean your pores and prevent black head and acne breakouts, but gentle enough that it doesn't dry out your skin.

Tim_1983 · #14 (**permalink**) 04-18-2008, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aleta

Coffee grounds and baby oil mixed together and rubbed on the area with cellulite is great. You can see a difference automatically.

Doesn't caffeine have a dehydrating effect though?

cindyg86 · #15 (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 07:13 PM

i gently exfoliate every morning. while it hasn't gotten rid of my blackheads completely, it has definitely helped to reduce them!

Aleta · #16 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 09:52 AM

Tim 1983: I'm sure that is a long-term effect, but not for the short term. You mix the coffee grounds with baby oil and apply it to the area and rub in a circular manner. Wait a little while and rinse off.

Two days ago they were talking about adding caffeine to suncreens, so we can't be too far off.