Blackheads are very annoying to me. I’ve successfully gotten rid of all my acne, except for the stubborn blackheads on my nose. I’ve tried all sorts of things, but at most they go away for a day and then come right back. What works the best for me is the Philosophy The Microdelivery Peel
I even had Photo Facials, which I thought could possibly help with the blackheads. While you can’t exactly shrink pores, Photo Facials supposedly stimulate collagen, which will supposedly minimize pore size. I thought if maybe I had minimized pores, my blackheads would be gone, but the Photo Facials didn’t seem to make a difference on the blackheads. So, that’s where I’m at! I need to find a product to use every day. At the Med Spa I worked at, the estheticians used something called PCA Detox Gel. I heard it works well (from like one person), but who knows, and I can’t buy it cause it’s part of their professional line. Help! Any advice to get rid of blackheads and keep them away?
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August 29th, 2007 at 8:37 am
Hi,
I was fascinated by your dissertation on blackheads. Firstly what you describe on your nose are really not black heads per se they are enlarged pores that are full of sebum. You can either get used to putting on a little light cover stick daily to hide the effect of them or use a good warm wash technique twice a day of your nose. This is very effective at opening up the pores on your nose and allowing the built up sebum to flow out.
Alternatively I had an aggressive peel/resurfacing done on my nose which effectively reduced the pores to a minimal size for many months. They returned! Genetics plays a major on how your nose pores work and if you are one of those with enlarged pores on your nose they will constantly return. I find the hot wash most effective. The more you attack the pores with black head removers etc…. the more enlarged they will get. Wait for the black heads to really be black before dealing with them like that, but if you keep to the regular cleaning routine they should stay flesh coloured and diminish in size.
Incidentally I tried Tazorac and it only has a very temporary effect.
If you are going to try the hot wash you need to use a soft facial brush with the cleaner of choice and just pop into the wash room for a quick wash from work…. likewise if you’re going out on a summers evening after work do the same thing. It takes just a few seconds and leaves you feeling very refreshed.
Thank your lucky stars that you sweat like that only from your nose and not from all over your face!
August 29th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Hi Maria,
Thanks for the info! I was just about to google “dissolve blackhead sebum” or something similar, when I got your comment.
October 6th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Instead of the glycolics, try a FRUIT ACID gel-mid strength.
January 12th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I have tried the Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips. They do work right then and there, but of course as the week progresses, you’ll have dirt build up in your pores and the blackheads return. You would have to use the pore strips once a week if your blackheads are really abundant or just use it whenever you see a lot of blackheads.
I wonder how models & celebrities keep their faces so flawless. >_
January 21st, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Oh my goodness! Today, I’ve just tried a product called “Clearskin Blackhead Clearing Cleanser” from AVON. I’ve bought it months ago thinking it’s the same as the other cleanser on the market, so I didn’t think of using it anytime soon. I’ve been looking for a product to treat blackheads for a while, but none of them ever work. I just happened to remember it the other day and gave it a try today. I’ve used ONCE so far, and for the first time EVER, a product does what it actually it would do! I’m ecstatic!
Anyways, I just wanted to share that with those looking for a product to try. ^_^ I’ve been on the Avon Web site but didn’t find the EXACT product that I have. :( I did find something though, “Clearskin® Purifying Astringent Blackhead Clearing Formula”. It doesn’t look like the product I have, which has a structure like a tube of lotion, but I’m sure it’ll work the same.
http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.asp?pf_id=6538&from=search&find_spec=blackhead%20clearing%20cleanser&camp=200803&dir_delivery=1&rep_delivery=1
Best of luck!
Aquafina
January 21st, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Aquafina,
Do you know what the ingredients are that are in the Avon cleanser that you have? Does it say on the bottle? Thanks!
January 21st, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Here are the ingredients:
-salicylic acid (2%)
-glycerin
-sodium hydioxide
-benzoic acid
-ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE
-CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER EXTRACT
- SODIUM C8-16 ISOALKYLSUCCINYL LACTOGLOBULIN SULFONATE
etc. Basically, it contains A LOT of the same ingredients here: http://shop.avon.com/shop/ingredient_popup.asp?pf_id=6538&campaign_no=200803&name=Clearskin%AE%20Purifying%20Astringent%20Blackhead%20Clearing%20Formula but not EXACTLY all of those listed on that Web page.
January 21st, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Aquafina,
Thanks! I’m wondering why that cleanser works better than others that contain 2% salicylic acid (the only active ingredient in the cleanser). I’ve used several different products with 2% salicylic acid, but none of them have worked on my blackheads at all! I’m glad it’s working for you!!!
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Yeah, I find that the salicylic acid stuff is in most of my acne treatment products. O_O It works way better than benzoyl peroxide in Proactiv. >__
March 12th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
apparently sacilic acid is a BHA and is fat soluble which is different from AHA which are water soluble. thats why its good for those that have clogged pores and black heads because it works with ones facial oils to clear the skin. Thats what Ive read before anyways.