Blackheads help please?

[Pomi]

Hello everyone

I've switched to a completely new skincare routine two weeks ago and it's been wonderful.
My skin isn't red and irritated anymore, the few pimples I had are clearing up, and it looks somewhat human now!!! I'm thrilled!!!

The only thing that hasn't really improved is my blackheads...
They're all over my nose (I have a few on my cheeks as well but they aren't quite as bad and I'm afraid to try and get rid of them because I don't want to worsen my rosacea -- especially since it's improved so drastically now)
I've been using the Pore Refining Toner but it hasn't changed anything... Altough I might not be using it right because I was confused about the "skin scraping" thing in the description...
I ordered a FS of the BHA since that looked like the next logical step to unclog my pores, but after reading that some people reacted to it, I'm a little scared.

Here is my routine :
Morning : Clean face with MU remover (used to use the PRT but I stopped), apply serum (Green Tea & Aloe or Super Serum), moisturizer (Jojoba or Hemp), Zinc powder, apply make up
Evening : Wash face in the shower with a foaming cleanser, dampen a cotton bud with the PRT and gently scrub my nose with it, apply serum, moisturizer, lash gel, ULTP.
Two to three times a week : Microdermabrasion cream under the shower, after face wash and before PRT.

I hope someone can help
Thanks!

[karen]

Blackheads just aren't fun...Apricot Cleansing oil can loosen them up, BHA gets into the pore to clear them up, or just squeeze them out like you would a pimple- they fly right out if you do it after a hot shower. It's not the sanest thing to do, but once or twice in your lifetime isn't going to hurt. Then go over the area with the pore refining toner to shut the pores down.

There are a lot of Youtube videos on the subject...if you watch some people do it, there's just no way a topical product can go that deep and dissolve all that gunk. Some of the videos are pretty gross.

Here's one of the better videos- it's done by a professional and about the least gross of any of them:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=508Owe4-tiQ&feature=fvw

If you really want to see what you're up against here's this video...warning- it's bad, but I've seen similar things in real life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzwncLxFBlk

[Silverfern]

OMG that last video is AWESOME. I'm so gross, and so is that. I abused my poor husband's skin so much before it cleared up.

But from what I understand, when you get a professional facial you can ask them to do "extractions", which is just a fancy way to say "pop blackheads after a hot shower." So you could have a pro do it if you're worried about causing scars or making it worse.

[feyith]

Popping blackheads is so gross yet it's so satisfying to finally get the gunk out.

I abused my poor husband's skin so much before it cleared up.

LOL! Is it just me or do all boys' noses look like an ad for those pore strip things?

[lilychemgirl]

My dh uses nothing on his face (literally nothing except shaving cream) and he has the best skin, he is forty one and I am 28 and he has fewer wrinkles than me It is not fair. I think he has some blackheads though (and he does get the occasional zit).

[lwoodall10]

OMG that last video is AWESOME. I'm so gross, and so is that. I abused my poor husband's skin so much before it cleared up.

But from what I understand, when you get a professional facial you can ask them to do "extractions", which is just a fancy way to say "pop blackheads after a hot shower." So you could have a pro do it if you're worried about causing scars or making it worse.

That video was so disgusting, but somehow I couldn't quit watching it MY DS thinki I am sick because I am always trying to get his blackheads, but he won't let me near him anymore. He says I have issues...maybe

[sewwies]

Hehe another picker! I'm terrible... a few years ago I went out with a guy who'd let me get his 'wormy' ones. Whenever he made me mad he'd always end it with, "do you want to check my back?"

[Silverfern]

Hehe another picker! I'm terrible... a few years ago I went out with a guy who'd let me get his 'wormy' ones. Whenever he made me mad he'd always end it with, "do you want to check my back?"

O damn, that guy is a keeper! hahah (well I hope he didn't make you too mad

[Pomi]

I just got the BHA toner in the mail today!
So how often should I use it?
I'm thinking every other day instead of the Pore Refining Toner, after my shower.
Would it worsen my rosacea a lot if I used it on my cheeks?
And how do you apply it? On a cotton bud?
TIA!

[Ghost]

I don't know what's wrong with me lately but I must be getting squeamish in my old age (or it could be because I just ate) but I could not watch the second one all the way through.

I used to be know as the gore queen when I was younger and I can still watch horror movies with a smile on my face . But for the last couple of years I seem to be getting squeamish about things. I just couldn't watch that second video all the way through, I even had to ran to the bathroom And when sarah (sewwies) was talking about wormy ones - ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!! not judging sarah, just feeling squeamish - pinkie swear (that's right gore queen said pinkie swear)

It must because I just ate, cause I'm not going to lose my horror movies, gore queen status just cause I'm getting older!!!!! I don't want to miss out on all the grossy, wormy fun

And Karen you really have a warped sense of humour to troll through youtube to find that video - LOL LOL LOL LOL