So starting in the middle of june I was fighting with a cluster of what seemed to be just non inflammed acne. small flesh color bumps. You hear alot of people complaining about them. Ive been getting them for quite a while now just here and there but it ONLY bothers me when they are in these clusters. For me the clusters only happened on the right side of my face where my bangs hung down. I mostly had them on my forehead as well. I was at the derm for another reason and I brought it up to him thinking he would tell me its just mild acne, clogged pores and to try SA or that he would try to give me differin or something. He said I think it isnt acne it is a skin yeast infection or Fungus. I know sounds gross! He said its a fungus that grows on all normal skin BUT when it over grows is when its an issue. It thrives on oily skin (which I have) and is very common in hot humid weather. It mimics small acne. It is specifically called Pityrosporum. SO, he said take these pills for 28 days and if it is Pityrosporum then it will disappear decently quickly. Ive been taking it for 2 weeks and pretty much all my tiny bumps are gone. The ones on my forehead are all gone. Just thought id share this since I know there are many complaining of these bumps on their face and forehead. Im going to try to find out more about it when Im done with these pills like,, does it come back.. do I need to do something to maintain it. Ive found a few articles on it.

here is part of an article.. "Pityrosporum folliculitis is a condition where the yeast, pityrosporum ovale/orbicularis spp. (also called Malassezia furfur), gets down into the hair follicles and multiplies, setting up an itchy, acne-like eruption."

Most article mention it itches sometimes. Ive read it does not have too, mine did not, but once I started taking the meds I felt like it did some, although I dunno if it was my imagination because I knew that is can itch LOL!

anyway, hope this can help someone.

Non-inflamed acne is acne that stays under the surface and does not get red at all. Some people talk about it by saying their skin has a "pebbly" appearance or that when they stretch their skin they can see lots of white bumps. Non-inflamed acne is also often accompanied by blackheads.

If you have this type of acne, I do think the regular Daniel Kern Regimen is worth a shot. It can be brilliant at preventing future blackheads. However, if you've tried the DKR without the results you'd like to have, Laura's regimen may be worth exploring.

Laura is an esthetician in the Bay Area who I have met several times and interviewed. She has a protocol for non-inflamed acne that is interesting. I'd like to hear how it works for people. You can find it here: http://www.acne.org/non-inflamed-acne-regimen.html

If you try it, please post your review/experience on this forum.

I thought this blog from my esthetician's website would be helpful to some of you. I see a lot of posts from people who may actually have sebaceous filaments, but think they have blackheads (usually they mention having lots of them, and that the spots either don't extract or they just fill up again the next day). Hope this helps some of you!



Those are not blackheads in your nose
…..most of the time.

Almost every day I get clients at my acne clinic that think they have blackheads on their nose. I know that what they see in their nose looks just like blackheads, but it is not. Those are what are called sebaceous filaments. They are basically the oil glands on your nose and in the chin area just below the lower lip. They are meant to be there and will never go away. Even if extracted, it still looks the same and it fills right back up again a week later.

Once in a while, someone actually will have blackheads in their nose. The picture below shows a client of mine who has blackheads in between the sebaceous filaments. Those definitely need to be extracted.

So, my rule of thumb is, if all the so-called “blackheads” in your nose are all the same size, then they are not blackheads. If, however, you have a “blackhead” that is bigger than the rest of the other “blackheads” in the nose, then it really is a blackhead and not just another sebaceous filament.

My clients tend to have a very disappointing reaction to my assessment of their “blackheads” on their nose. They, most often, desparately want them to go away. I reassure them that everybody, even people who have never had acne, have them. Everyone but the most oil-dry of skin does have them. When you are standing a couple of feet away from someone, which is the normal “space” between people, you can’t even see the pores on the nose. We are all so used to looking at air-brushed pictures of models in fashion magazines that have absolutely perfect skin with no pores showing at all. Unfortunately, this sets up an expectation and fantasy that our skin should look just like this. Sorry…… it’s just not real and I tell my clients that they are just going to have to accept their nose the way it is.

[attachment=21516:filaments.jpg]

UPDATE: This thread kind of wandered off course over time, so I've decided to close it. I have also rewritten this initial post to update and revise it based on current information and experience. If you have questions about the products I recommend, please feel free to PM me.


For those of you who don't know me: I have had acne since I was 12 or so, and I'm now in my mid-40s. Information I came across on this board has enabled me to clear up my mild/moderate acne to the point where no one ever realizes I have acne at all. And after spending a lot of time and money trying out various products, I'm finally down to a pretty simple regimen that is working well for me.

So ...... if you have primarily comedonal acne (clogged pores, whiteheads & blackheads), here is what I have found to work:


PAULA'S CHOICE BHAs (available at www.cosmeticscop.com)

Great product, at a very reasonable price. On the whole, I think this should be your first line of defense. I never thought salicylic acid would work on my face -- I've had horrid reactions to other SA products -- but this stuff is awesome!

I used the 2% BHA gel. The 1% wasn't strong enough for me; I think it's probably for people with highly sensitive skin. There's also a 2% liquid and a 2% lotion.

I recommend trying this product first because it is CHEAP -- about $15 for a 4 oz bottle, which will last you for months. You can get sample packets extremely cheaply if you want to try out the different formulations before placing a full order.


GREEN CREAM/DIACNEAL/Other mild OTC retinoids, such as Jan Marini and Vivant products

If the BHAs aren't quite enough to purge your pores, or if you want to improve the overall quality and radiance of your skin, I recommend these products. They are not cheap. GC goes for $40-50 per bottle, and a bottle lasts 4-6 weeks .... but it is one of the best products I have ever run across. It really works. There's a long GC thread in the OTC forum, and there's also a product website & message board: www.greencream.com

I buy my GC on amazon.com, but there are plenty of online sellers. Look for a list on the product website. Most people with normal skin can start with Level 6; if you have very sensitive skin, you may want to start with Level 3.

You can layer GC on top of BHAs. After cleansing, apply a thin layer of BHAs all over your face, wait 30 minutes, then apply Green Cream.

I did use Diacneal for awhile, and found it effective as well ... but GC just made my skin look prettier. If you live in Canada or Europe, Diacneal may be easier for you to get your hands on. It is made by Avene. And of course, there are other OTC retinoids as well: Vivant Vitamin A products, Jan Marini, Skinceuticals, etc.

EDIT: Just wanted to add that for people with mild acne, these OTC retinoids can actually be more effective than the stronger prescription products because the irritation factor is so much lower. I used Retin A for awhile, and although it cleared my pimples, it made my skin look horrible .... red, oily, and irritated. It's great for moderate/severe acne but I think it may be overkill for mild.


MANDELIC ACID

If your skin doesn't like BHAs ... try mandelic acid. It is awesome against blackheads especially, and there's a long mandelic thread in the Blackheads forum if you want more information.

If you have oily skin, the best mandelic product is probably the 15% Vivant mandelic serum, available at www.dianayvonne.com (I think she sells samples). If you have dry or sensitive skin, or are using topical retinoids, you are better off using the 10% or 15% alcohol-free serums from www.gardenofwisdom.com. Another wonderful formulation is made by Face Reality, but I think you have to be under their care to buy their products. You might check out their website: www.facereality.com

It's possible to combine mandelic with retinoids, but the peeling can be quite annoying. Best bet is to start with mandelic for a few months and ease into the retinoid after your skin is fully adjusted to mandelic.

Wow ... this stuff is really, truly, honestly amazing. I just had to let you all know about it.

After 4 months on retinoids (Green Cream, Diacneal, Retin A), I have managed to get rid of all of my old bumps and inflamed acne ... but the pores in my T-zone were still getting badly congested every couple of weeks, resulting in blackheads and microzits. Since I'm a habitual picker, and my skin is currently very fragile from the retinoids, these clogged pores were creating a real problem for me.

As soon as I started reading about mandelic acid, I knew I had to try it. The trouble was, the first MA product I tried really does not work well with Green Cream -- and I LOVE Green Cream and will not give it up! I could see that the MA was zapping the blackheads and tightening my pores, but unfortunately it was also burning my skin -- which is not supposed to happen. Mandelic is a very mild AHA.

Anyway, I finally found a new MA product that I can use with retinoids, and I am just loving it. My pores are tighter and clearer than I ever thought possible and my blackheads are almost entirely extinct.

So here are my product recommendations:

If you have oily skin and are NOT using retinoids, you should be able to use the Vivant mandelic acid serum sold on the Diana Yvonne site. I suggest buying a sample first to try it out. This is probably the purest, most powerful and effective mandelic product out there.

If you have dry or sensitive skin, are using retinoids or other anti-acne products, or just find that you can't tolerate the Vivant mandelic, you are probably better off going with the alcohol-free mandelic acid serum made and sold by Garden of Wisdom. They make a 10% version and a 15% version. Sample sizes are available. I use the 10% if I'm layering it under retinoids and 15% if I'm using it by itself.

Mandelic acid needs about 30 minutes to absorb into the skin and "do its thing" -- so you should apply it to clean dry skin, and not apply anything else for at least 30 minutes.

A little more info about mandelic acid: here's a quote from Deb, the Forum Host at the Diana Yvonne SkinCare Board:

It works in the same manner as salicylic acid, except it cannot penetrate as deep into the pore as salicylic acid. Thus, it increases cell turnover within the pore, causing the release of comedones. As soon as you stop using it faithfully, just like salicylic acid, back they come!

I think the reason people rave about mandelic acid is that it is an AHA with some BHA properties. As well as being antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and lipid permeable (thus the pore exfoliation), it is a gentle 15% AHA at a low pH. AHAs exfoliate the epidermis much better than with salicylic acid, which cannot penetrate very deeply into the epidermal layers. So, the skin is smoother, tighter and more even in tone. Thus, the AHA activity combined with the lipid permeability aids in the appearance of smaller pores.

CHECK IT OUT!!!!!!

I've heard a lot of talk about glycolic acid and mandelic acid on this site. It's supposed to be good for clearing clogged (but not inflamed) pores such as white heads, flesh-colored bumps and blackheads.

I've seen links to online websites that sell these products, but does anyone know of stores that sell them? I've only been able to find Reviva at Whole Foods, which is a glycolic acid...but it's not in a pure form. Preferably I'd like a simple cream low in strength to put on at night instead of a fancy mask, wash, or anti-aging treatment.

Anyone?

I've have moderate acne and have had it for a few years. Most of the big, inflamed acne is pretty much under control but I have a lot of blackheads on my cheeks, nose, and chin. I've asked my dermatologist what i can do to get rid of the blackheads and he says that they'll eventually just go away. I'm not sure they are, though. Is extraction a good idea? they're fairly easy to extract myself, there's just so many.

I started out with some clogged pores on my nose and chin, which concerned me, so I started to use a pore unclogging scrub and some other acids and stuff to kill them off. Instead, my white/blackheads have increased exponentially. The skin on my entire face is suddenly bumpy and scattered with all sorts of nasty skin-colored, white and black plugs. I am also getting cystic acne here and there, when these new bumps become irritated.
The majority though is non-inflamed sebum filled plugs that cause tiny bumps all over my skin.
So, question:
Do acne creams, or acids draw the stuff to the surface? I'm sure I've been clogged this whole time, but the bumps are new, and extremely irritating. Is this the products working? Am I supposed to gently empty out the bumps, or something? I preferred smooth skin that could be easily hid under some makeup. This is unbearable.

Hi everyone,

So i've been clear of cystic acne for a 3 of months, hooray, and in the last month i haven't had a single pimple to my utter amazement and gratitude!
But recently i also had to stop using differin, as i am trying out retinaldehyde for the scars. Though i've haven't been deligent with the retin A , ussually only putting it on my scars and not my entire face.

There are blackheads and white heads all in the area where pimples used to appear, I think the differin was keeping them at bay but now they are everywhere and i'm affraid that they are all going to explode into cystic pimples like landmines waiting for you to rub them the wrong way.

What do i do? what do i doooo? Its taken all my will not to pick them out, all of it. But i'm still itching to..... Do you guys thing i should just pick them all out? Do you think that would be better than letting them turn into cysts?

I'll try to be more deligent with the Retin A, though i heard it could cause pimples? If not i may go back on differin... But till they begin working is there anything you can reckomend?

Is salycilic acid useable with retin A? i know you're not supposed to tuse it with diffferin

I started steaming my face a few months ago with on of those cheap face steamers you get at walmart... I started it trying to help my cystic acne and added a big tablespoon of 100% sea salt to every steam.. After about a week of this I was using one of those lit up magnifying mirrors to pluck my eyebrows, got a glance at my nose and I had not a single blackhead. My nose has been covered with small blackheads since I was 12. I still have the large pores where they once were, but that's it.
I would give steaming a try if you have tried everything else..really worked great for me.

Salicylic acid can be solved in alcohol and in oily substances....so why are all salicylic peels just basically alcohol and salicylic acid instead of solving the acid in oil? I know 10% salicylic acid added to vaseline has been reported as an effective wart treatment, so if we're using this on warts why are we putting aggressive alcohol solutions on our faces?

If one used a salicylic acid solution based on oil like Jojoba, emu oil or just ordinary vaseline, wouldn't that irritate and dry out the skin less then alcohol? Wouldn't the oil actually preserve more moisture in the skin and thus actually have a positive effect?

People use vaseline (petrolatum) on wounds because it helps the healing proces, so wouldn't those traits actually be ideal for a peel?
Triple Antibiotic ointments are often petrolatum based, so what if we would just add 2%-5% salicylic acid (depending on how much you can tolerate) to them and maintain a ph between 3-4, wouldn't that be a lot more effective?

If the skin would be less irritated, heal very fast and more moisture would be preserved.

Why doesn't this exist? Am I overlooking something? Is a an alcohol-based solution just a lot more effective at penetrating the skin? If so, we could just add more salicylic acid to oil-based solutions.

Having them beside my nose and couple around my mouth..they are not that visible but gliding over my skin while cleansing i can feel those bumpy whiteheads...no nice I'm having only two active pimple on my face..can i exfoliate? I'm worried i'll irritate my skin

which one is better for clearing blackheads as they are appearing on my face.. mainly my cheeks and forheads.. thanks

sick of them now

Hey everyone, yes I got PF at first I was happy that I have that instead of acne... but now I just feel sad..... Ever sience I am taking med for PF I just want sweets all the time! I had an craving ever sience last night for cookies, and 10 mins ago I had taken a run to the nearest whole foods (that is 5 mins away) to get TWO cookies. Is this normal? Should I worry about eating sweets? What are your diets while dealing with this thing? Someone write me their experience please! Oh yeah I have these old make up brushes that I have used while having PF..... should I throw them away? What would you guys do? I also have this eye brow make up powder that I have used while having it... should I still use it?
Thanks I am paranoid and I without money to buy new stuff!

For the past year or so I keep getting all these little white/transparent balls all over my cheeks and chin. They are especially apparent after showering in the morning. Which is when I usually have to scratch it off gently. But I was wondering are these blackheads? I seem to get them every single day and it's nearly impossible to scratch all of them off. It's starting to drive me insane because of the amount of time spent trying to remove them on a daily basis. It can take up to an hour for me to remove most of it. So, does anyone else have a similar problem and know how to effectively remove them? Or stop them from forming in the first place?

I know that Jojoba oil has been hailed as a great noncomodegenic moisturizer, however, has anyone had any experience in using it to treat blackheads? A lot of the reviews I've read mention that the congested pores and blackheads seemed to be helped by this. I justed wanted to hear some first hand accounts from you guys since many you have similar skin to me.

I have millions of non-inflammed comedones on my skin. Its quite annoying really. I was wondering if anyone knows any procedures that can be done to get these extracted? I'm already using exfoliants every day. Also does anyone know where I can go to get this done in the UK? Thanks

I've just read all 45 pages on mandelic again (I purchased in Sept) and havent used it yet and was wondering if it will eliminate and prevent whiteheads? I saw how it will almost release a blackhead but what about whiteheads? They seem to be much more stubborn. I have tons in my chin area and you can not extract these no matter how hard you try. any ideas?

im sick of my gross blackheads
nothing works for me. i was wondering if anyone has tried blackhead dissolver? if so what were your results. i'd like to know if it's worth giving a shot..

for more info google "blackhead dissolver" and click the first link

"The Blackhead dissolver contains extracts that reduce excessive production of skin cells and shrink tissues to keep follicles open. Some of these same extracts are used for the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, dandruff and similar conditions of excessive cellular proliferation. Some of the extracts are able to soften and break down lipids, like the dry sebum that form the blackheads."


anyway, thanks in advance to anyone who replies

I just received my first bottle of mandelic acid, I went with the Vivant brand 15%. It comes as a liquid with a dropper. I've used the paulas choice BHA's for a long time and they spread easily. This mandelic acid has the consistency of water though. Is there a trick to applying it? It's $70/oz and it feels like I need to use a lot of it because it absorbs into my skin so quickly. Before I even have a chance to spread it. Is there a trick to it or are you guys using a bottle every few weeks?

Maybe I should go with another brand if there's one with more of a gel consistency.

Recently I broke out bad as I became resistant to lymecycline antibiotic. Now I am on minocycline. Have been taking them for about a week and a half. Doing great for the inflammatory acne but I have all these small white bumps under the skin. Are very small, can only see them when I hold my face up to the light. Is this the antibiotic pushing everything to the surface? Previously I used a 2% BHA while on lymecycline and it worked great on these little white bumps. Is it because I am now on minocycline it is getting rid of everything deep down and thats what these tiny white bumps are? My skin also seems really oily. If anyone can shed light on the situation that would be great. Thanks.

I suffer from cystic acne, and I've been looking for something that clears blackheads that is also noncomedogenic.

I picked up a bottle of Clean & Clear Blackhead Clearing Scrub the other day, which does not claim to be noncomedogenic.

I got it anyway because I was having a hard time finding anything for clearing blackheads that was labeled as noncomedogenic, and I didn't know if all noncomedogenic skin care products always state that they are such.

Sure enough, a few days after I started using it, I started having a little breakout.

So is anyone aware of any effective over-the-counter or homemade noncomedogenic preparation that clears blackheads?

I should probably add that I'd prefer something readily available over something hard-to-find/special order - and the cheaper, the better.

Thanks for your help in advance.

Hey,

I was wondering if any of you could recommend some good Salicylic Acid products that you can get at a local drug store. If looking for Salicylic Acid without any other things like moisturizer or some other crap in it.

Thanks

I'm new to the boards (hello!) and I'm sure this topic has been discussed in depth and I apologize in advance!

I used to have sort of mild acne, but then got put on a fantastic regimen-- minocycline 100mg every night and a sulfur acne drug called Prosacion have really done the trick. I also have stopped using facial scrubs as I've heard they are generally bad for you. What are the thoughts on facial scrubs on these boards? I was told that using Cetophyl gentle cleanser is better and not to mess with over the counter facial scrubs since they are just irritating and don't help.

Anyway but to my real question. I'm not sure I have "acne" per se anymore-- my skin luckily is very smooth, but whenever I look at my face in a makeup mirror, or in any mirror where there's high lighting like a hair salon, I HATE IT. My skin tone is generally uneven, and there's quite a few (not a lot though) marks from old acne. I've always been a big tanner and like to lay out in the sun and I'm sure that's why the acne marks have stayed for so long-- so I put on an SFP 15 moisturizer from neuutrogena in the morning to improve the sun damage and protect my face.

But, my question is-- for uneven skin tone and red blotchiness from old acne (again, it's not major at all and I only notice it looking in a mirror close up) what do derms usually prescribe? Will they prescribe a retinol or retin-A?

Generally for these types of drugs, for someone on an antiobiotic like minocycline and for someone who doesn't get so many pimples (maybe 1 or 2 every so often), is the risk of an "initial breakout" that bad?

Thanks guys. I wish everyone the best luck with their regimens!

Does anyone know what this might be?? I'm having some gritty stuff - feels like sand or glass coming out of the pores on my face. It's really small so I can't see it too well, put it under a small magnifying glass last night and all I could see is a very tiny whitish piece that felt real hard when I rolled it with my fingers. It really felt and looked like a tiny piece of sand, well it can't be sand so wondering if anyone knows what it is or if anyone else has this. This started after I began putting coconut oil on my face and leaving it on - this seems to help the blackheads and makes any pustules come to a head faster but now I have this stuff.

I'm pretty new to the boards, been lurking a while, but here's my story.

I usually get really big inflammed acne around my period that takes forever to heal and I pick at them so that makes others appear. Well I've almost got that under control. I've been taking Vitex for two months and I've seen an improvement in quantity and duration and I suspect that within another month or so I may be free or almost free of hormonal acne. When I do get the inflammed acne I will pop it a the appropriate time and then cover it in neosporin and it's usually gone in a few days. I'm still looking for complete relief from the hormonal acne, but that's another post.

Now, however I also have non-inflamed acne mostly in the chin area. I refuse to use BP and have been having some limited success with AHA/BHA and a Glycolic Acid gentel peel used 1-2xs a week. I'm also using Olay's Regenerist line. In general my skin looks much healthier and most of the bumps I had on my checks are gone and my forhead is looking better, but when you pull the skin around my chin or I smile and you can see TONS of bumps and if I push on them stuff comes out ALWAYS. If I would just leave them alone, no one would probably notice unless they were up close, but because of the inflammed acne I'm always in the mirror so I end up picking at them.

I'm also looking to get rid of some of the minor scaring (it's coverable with makeup but I'd like to feel good without makeup too) so I've been reading up on Mandelic Acid and Retinoids (Green Cream) and not sure what to try next or what actual product is best. I also don't know if I start one of these do I need to stop the AHA/BHA and/or Glycolic Acid peel? I'm also looking for something that doesn't cost to much but does the job. So what do you suggest, MA or Rentinoid, which product is best and can I continue the AHA/BHA and Glycolic Acid? Thanks!

I wanted to add that I've only been using the AHA/BHA and Glycolic Acid for about 3 weeks, and I can't remember how long you're supposed to give each system before ruling out that it doesn't work. Do you think maybe I ought to give it more time before moving onto something else?

So I used to apply 2% BHA morning and night then put moisturiser over the top. I also took one lymecycline antibiotic to keep my inflammatory acne under control. This kept me 99% clear, with only a few non-inflammed spots, but you couldn't really see them at all. I have now developed some resistance to the lymecycline so my doctor has switched me to doxycycline.

This seems to be working well for my inflammatory acne, but since I developed antibiotic resistance to the lymecycline my doctor said its best I use benzoyl peroxide to reduce the chance of resistance while on minocycline. Because i'm using BHA once in morning and BP at night now I have millions of non-inflammed bumps. I really need to be exfoliating twice a day.

I wanted to see if theres any sort of exfoliator as good as BHA that is able to reduce antibiotic resistance of the bacteria? If anyone knows of anything like this that would be great.

p.s. I used to use Diacneal but it didn't really do anything for me. So i'm thinking its not as good as BHA for me.

Hi, my problem is a lot of blackheads on my face. They just keep coming. Especially the forehead/temple area. I want these blackheads to go away and stay away. I very rarely get inflamed acne. My problem is blackheads/clogged pores.


In the pinned topic "A non-inflamed acne regimen", it is recommended that an exfoliate be used in the day, and a Benzoyl Peroxide Gel be used at night.


I just started applying PC BHA 2% daily, and am wondering if I need to add a Benzoyl Peroxide Gel? What other products do i need to add to my regimen? The only topical I am using is the PC BHA.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks

Hello,
I’m Asian, 27, and finally have most of my other acne under control. However, I have never been able to clear up the blackheads that are on my nose. I have tried everything, from Biore nose peels, to scrubs, to physical removal, but most of the solutions are ineffective, and NOT long-lasting.

Please see the picture.

I do NOT have a specific treatment for blackheads on my nose.

But this is the rest of my treatment regimen.
Daily face wash morning and night (Anthony Logistics for Men GLYCOLIC FACIAL CLEANSER)

Toner at night after face wash (Lar Roche-Posay/Laboratoire Pharmaceutique Product name = EFFACLAR/Lotion Hydratante Clarifiante)

Differin adapalene Gel 0.1% Liberal application on my chin area, on my upper lip area (not on nose)

Neutrogena Rapid Clear® Fight & Fade 2-In-1 Gel


As mentioned, I currently do NOT have a treatment plan for the blackheads on my nose. What would you suggest? I’m not sure why I’m not applying Differin on my nose, but I have heard that Differin for blackheads is ineffective.

I’m looking for two things
1. Reduce blackheads
2. Tone/reduce pore size


Help! And Thanks!

Is this sunscreen moisturizer good for the face? I just bought and because i need a moiztusrizer after applying Retin-A..has anyone used this on their face?