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spacemonk... spacemonk...
 
January 16, 2009 05:31 PM

How do you get rid of blackheads?

Since the days of my youth (highschool, haha) my acne has mostly cleared up, with a zit or two every now than then due to regular reasons - lack of sleep, stress, etc.

But no matter what I do, I can't for the life of me get rid of the blackheads on my nose.  They're not inflamed or terribly noticeable, but it still drives me near crazy.  I've tried various combinations of blackhead strips, blackhead scrubs with the little beads in them, medicines, toner, those rip-off 3 step systems, and even somecrazy acne medicine from Thailand that stings your face when you use it (but works really well for pimples!)

So, anyone have a method that works for you?
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easyeboy easyeboy
 
 January 16, 2009 05:46 PM
A blackhead or a whitehead is not something you can get rid of overnight.  It takes time, and a process. A blackhead is caused by excess oil that has clogged a pore. This clog occurs when the built-up oil is unable to flow to the surface of the skin due to a misshapen or impaired pore and dead skin cells blocking the way. When the pore is open, the oil is exposed to oxygen, which reacts and turns it a dark color, resulting in a black head.  You should first start off with cleaning your face at least once or twice daily with a facial soap that is meant for oily skin.
Remember that hormones cause oil production.  Also, makeup can block your pores and is no good if you have these blackheads.
What I recommend:
1. You wash your face at least two times daily, morning and night with a quality soap.  The Body Shop makes a great product.
http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/bodyshop

2. In addition to washing daily, use a daily facial toner like one at The Body Shop.  The Tea Tree Oil Daily Facial Toner may be the one you should use, but be sure to go to your local store and ask.
To find a local Body Shop store, use its store locator:
http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/bodyshop/search/store_locator.jsp?cm_re=-_-Navigation-_-Store_Locator

3. Twice a week use a mask, a clay mask like the Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask from The Body Shop works well.
4. 2-3 times a week use an exfoliator on your skin.  I recommend The Body Shop products.
5. Take nutraceutical vitamins for your skin.  Vitamins like Murad's Pure Skin Clarifying Supplement may help you clear up your skin.
6. Drink a lot of water to flush out your system.
Over time, this should lessen the problem with blackheads.  Do not pick at or pop these blackheads.  This also may be because of hormones, which makes it harder to get rid of.  Depending on the time of your life, it may take longer.  
Follow the above regime, and I really believe in The Body Shop products.  They will have something for you.  If your problem is very extreme, visit a dermatologist, and you should seek further help from the doctor.  A doctor may be able to prescribe an appropriate medication or do a check on your hormone levels, which no skin product will be able to provide without a doctor.  Sometimes a prescription strength product is needed.
Source(s):
http://www.howtogetridofstuff.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-blackheads/



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carriep carriep
 
January 16, 2009 06:08 PM - New Source
Great advice, good answer. However I want to add info about moisturizer.

You also want to use a moisturizer of some sort at least once a day.

http://thebeautybrains.com/2008/09/20/beauty-q-a-whats-the-difference-between-oil-and-moisture/

http://thebeautybrains.com/2008/09/20/beauty-q-a-whats-the-difference-between-oil-and-moisture/

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carriep carriep
 
January 16, 2009 06:05 PM
I have similar problems with my skin. I have very oily skin, Mediterranean genes. I don't think there's much that you can do to completely eliminate blackheads. For me I still get a few pimples a week, despite my best efforts.

What has worked the best for me is to keep to a good skin care routine and to keep track of products or things that cause me to break out. For example, I got a product from Avon that I like the feel of, but when I use it I start to break out.

Everyone's skin is different, so there may be something in your product that is fine for most people but is causing you to break out.

The other thing to keep in mind is not to overdo it with harsh products. That can make your skin dry, which is no fun either. Especially if the blackheads are at the creases of where your nose meets your face.
Source(s):
http://thebeautybrains.com/2008/05/18/can-anti-acne-sticks-actually-make-ac...

and personal experience


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tracebooks tracebooks
 
January 16, 2009 06:26 PM
There is a method that works pretty well. I have oily skin and blackheads, and when I first heard of this I thought it was ridiculous. But then people I knew kept trying it with good results, so I tried it too. I've now been using it for a year, and my skin is much better than it ever has been, even using expensive boutique skin-care products.

It's called oil cleansing. The principle is that oil is the best solvent for oil. So you use a fairly heavy oil for its penetrating properties along with other oils for properties they have. You massage it in, twice a day, for five minutes each time, then expose your face to steam and massage just a bit longer, and then remove with a wet washcloth.

The blend is a castor oil base with olive oil (or coconut oil if you have acne). For oily skin, you use around 75% castor oil or more. For dry skin you use only 25%, and for normal skin about 50%.

You can get castor oil and coconut oil at most drugstores and natural food stores (it's from castor beans). Use a good-quality olive oil. I use Trader Joe's Trader Giotto Extra Virgin--inexpensive but good quality. You can also scent it with essential oils.
Source(s):
http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/

and one year of experience using it, and many years of experience using other methods which didn't work too well


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skin skin
 
March 23, 2009 03:04 PM
NEW Isolaz™ Acne Therapy
Isolaz treatment is painless, combining vacuum and laser to help destroy acne-causing bacteria. Other features are as follows:
http://www.sknclinics.co.uk/skin-conditions/acne-treatment.html

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