Spots

[Dom]

I've been lucky in that even in my hormonal teenage years, I never really suffered with acne or had very bad outbreaks of spots on me mush, so I've not had to deal with it.

But over the weekend I developed (what I consider) an almighty great spot that I'd like to do something with as soon as possible. And by "something", I mean "get rid of".

So has anyone got any miracle cures for getting rid of single spots on their face? Generally I just leave them if ever I do get one, and that's probably why I still look about 12 despite being 27, but I thought I'd ask some more... experienced... spot annihilators if they had any advice.


APPETITE LOSS WARNING AHEAD...

So far I have actually managed to clear it up quite a lot. It got to the stage where it was a lovely white head, ready for the poppin'. So I steamed my pores and then gave it a good ol' squeeze. That got  rid of the puss, but it's still a bit sore, although it's only really a red mark now.

Is there any more I can do with it, or should I just leave it be? I've done everything I can think of to clean it up, so I'm happy to leave it if need be, but I thought I'd ask in case I missed something.

Cheers, and sorry for putting you all off your breakfast.

[Steve Lampkins]

I think I've read that people put toothpaste on them before going to bed, and it somehow dries them out...

Don't blame me though if it opens up a wormhole to another dimension in the middle of your face.

[Dom]

A wormhole to another dimension, or some toothpaste on the pillow - it's all pretty much a muchness. Perhaps I'll give it a go.

I may also go to bed with a few garlic cloves and a silver cross. I shall also dangle some black cats out of the window, just for good measure.

[robwhizz]

Do you have access to a burr drill and acetylene torch?

[Dom]

Might take a couple of days, but I could get them.

[sarahA]

Shouldn't this be in practical advice...? 

[Marge]

Do not squeeze or pick at spots! This can create scarring and allow infection in.  Also if steaming the skin only do so for 10 minutes tops or the sebum glands go into over production.

Use a little tea tree oil or distilled witch hazel to calm the spot down.  Make sure you cleanse, tone and moisturise your skin morning and night(this is not only for us girls!)  If you are wary of using moisturiser then use an oil free one.  You don't have to use expensive products either.  Australian Bodycare Tea Tree is a good range.

Another point is when applying moisturiser or tea tree oil or anything to spotty skin use the lightest touch.  Do not be rough with your skin. 

... I never thought I would be posting beauty tips (or should that be 'handsome' tips) on a forum like this 

[Johnathan]

Marge is probably right about not picking it but who am I to listen to other peoples advice?

I used to just scratch them off with my nail and put the blue liquid Clearasil on it, dried it all up and was fine by the next day.

[Johnathan]

Also ignore the rest of what Marge said about moisturiser. I will judge you if you use it.

[Rosco]

Ah, the age-old zit problem...

Solution: Punch yourself in the balls, then cry about it


Rosco,
been waiting for five years ago to come back!

[Jem]

Marge: I have dreadfully greasy 'orrid skin, what moisturiser would you recommend? I currently do absolutely NOTHING with my face except scrub it in t'shower every morning.

 

[Steve Lampkins]

If you're scrubbing, that's probably why it's glowing like that.

[Dom]

Thanks for the advice Marge! I have to say that I did squeeze it, but only after I saw that it was ripe for the squeezing, and then only after I'd steamed my face for a couple of minutes. I've found that as long as you don't need to squeeze too hard, it's OK to squeeze them, but don't pick them or they turn into scars like you say. Thankfully I'm scar-less due to spots.

And Johnathan - I think you're supposed to use Clearasil before it gets to the picking stage.

PS. I never use moisturiser, so judge all you like. It'd be kind of like when I judge you for buying/using an iPad.

[Marge]

Jonathon you dare mock the advice of Margerina Queen of the Kitchen!? 

Now listen blokes you are not a big girls blouse if you use moisturiser!  Sir Sean Connery the best Bond ever has always used skin care products, and if it's good enough for him then it's good enough for you! Also if you shave then you are making your skin sensitive as well so no skin care routine means being an ugo!

For oily skins the best skincare products are:
1. Liz Earle for Men range (excellent products, not the cheapest but worth it)
2. L'Occitane, Cade range and Verdon ranges (pricey)
3. Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Oil range (available at Boots and budget price)
4. SBC gels (available from QVC and their own website www.sbcgels.co.uk), in particular the cucumber gel, collagen gel, and propolis gel.  These gels are oil free and sink straight into the skin.
5. Tesco Skin Wisdom for men range, (very cheap and works well)
6. Clarins for Men range, (pricey but very good)
7. L'Oreal for Men

[Dom]

A cinema attendant assumed I wanted a child's ticket for Harry Potter a few months ago, despite me being 27 years old. I don't think I have a problem with youthful looks to be honest.

But it's a good list, though! Here's a question - how do you clear the pores on your nose? I've used those strips that stick to your face, and then you pull them off, but I'm pretty sure they're not that great for your skin. And they're expensive too, so is there anything you'd recommend for blocked pores?

[Marge]

I forgot to add some product advice for the ladies too:

1. Liz Earle range (not cheap but very good, especially Skin Repair Light Moisturiser, and Cleanse & Polish)
2. Australian Bodycare Tea Tree oil (excellent quality and better than inferior tea tree oil brands), also does a nice simple face cream too.
3. SBC gels.  I use a mix of the collagen gel and cucumber gel as base under make up too.
4. Mally Evercolour Poreless Face Defender (from QVC, not cheap but replaces translucent powder and really keeps shine off your face.  I bought some as part of kit and would not be without it now)
5. L'Occitane Ultra Matte Face Fluid (not cheap but very good).
6. Tesco Skin Wisdom (the whole range is cheap as chips and works very well)
7. Clarins Ultra-Matte Rebalancing Lotion - Oily Skin  (from Boots, not cheap but very good and a little goes a long way)
8. Distilled witch hazel (available from most chemists), also orange flower water too.
9. Boots own brand Clear Skin range

... and lastly a bit of advice, do not wash your face with soap!  Always use a soap free wash!

Marge has spoken ... OK, typed  

[Marge]

For blocked pores use a gentle facial scrub once a week only.  If you follow a proper cleanser, tone, and moisturise routine you will fine you get fewer blocked pores.

[Dom]

Ah. I think they got blocked once, and I've yet to unblock them. It's only around the nose area that I tend to get them.

[Johnathan]

And Johnathan - I think you're supposed to use Clearasil before it gets to the picking stage.

PS. I never use moisturiser, so judge all you like. It'd be kind of like when I judge you for buying/using an iPad.

You are but then it takes more than a day, picking it and putting it on dries it up and stops it from growing into a spot again.

[Jem]

Ah. I think they got blocked once, and I've yet to unblock them. It's only around the nose area that I tend to get them.

That's about right. My nose is dreadful. If I give it a squeeze I get little 'worms' of gunge.

I know, you're impressed.

[Dom]

I am, but mostly because of the description. I too have that exact same thing, but I'd never in a million years thought to have called them "worms of gunge" lol. I am officially impressed.

[Steve Lampkins]

Oh get a room, you worms of gunge lovebirds.

[Marge]

Thank goodness I didn't read any of these latter postings before lunch!

A gentle facial scrub once a week and a simple beauty/handsome routine should see the end to this problem.  If you want to be even gentler but more frequent then apply a rich cream cleanser to dry skin, take a rung out damp muslin cloth or flannel and carefully wipe away the cleanser, ring out the cloth again in hot water and go over the skin again gently.  Apply moisturiser.

[Jem]

And how long before I lose my worms?     (Seriously.)

[Marge]

I would give it at least a week if not two.  Be patient and give the skin time to rebalance ... I sound like one of those posh adverts  

[Dom]

This isn't just a gunge worm remover, this is a delicately fragranced, aloe-vera sensitive, M&S gunge worm remover.

[Marge]

 

[familychoice]

I've got lovely skin, HTH

[Steve Lampkins]

Everybody has one saving grace.



Mine, of course, is being a great poster.

[Dom]

Hehe. I've got nice skins too, generally. I mean, I'm not that hairy, I don't have scars and spots and whatnot, and apparently my skin is soft (as blokes who never use moisturiser go).

Spot Update: After the squeeze I gave it the other day, the spot is almost gone. It's basically just a red mark now, that'll fade with time. Now I can go back to looking like the Adonis I used to.