Blackheads on Lip -- so frustrating

Wow,

I think I've had a trouble spot right about my lip line for years. It's like a plug that never goes away. Lately it has been inflamed a lot more than usual. It's been driving my absolutely crazy. I can always feel it tickling my lip like some kind of evil quiver -- almost makes my eyes water sometimes.

I've eliminated chapstick/balms completely. This has seemed to help. Also steaming with hot showers.

So today after a hot shower, I noticed the bump had a whitish head -- tiny head though. I was trying to be real gentle with my fingers. The skin got bloody and inflamed and to my dismay nothing came out. Again, I know i've been dealing with this spot for years -- disappearing/reappearing etc... trouble pore perhaps??

Anyway, so I'm about to give up. I'm so pissed. Well, I decide to give it a better push. I kid you not -- lifted one knee up on the sink, bent my elbows in a different direction and gave it a good knock. Finally -- a little chunk came out. Albeit dry -- not a satisfying whitehead take down or anything, but something!!! finally something. It feels as though some pressure is revealed.

For some reason I feel this is not the end of the battle. How can I prevent this from coming back?

Vitamin E as a Topical

Is Vit. E good for a topical on a mark/depression that is 1-2 months old?

Scar Prevention

Hi,

I haven't been around these parts for a while, but I'm back with a question. Around 3 weeks ago I had a swelling on my temple that was either some type of insect bite or an allergic reaction. Hell, it might have been a nasty cyst. It pretty much swelled the side of my face up. It was first drained with a needle and then flushed with salt water to dry out the infection (doc reccomended). It took a few days to dry out completely.

Anyway, up until about this time last week I had a small scab on it. Well the scab fell off and left an indentation about the size of an eraser on a pencil. It was also quite red, and still is a little.

What are some tips to help this thing properly heal up. I've been applying zinc-based ointment to it (very similar to Neosporin) at night with a bandaid and have noticed some nice improvement in the last week. I can still feel an indention with my fingers though -- kinda getting me down. Is there a point where Neosporin is a bad idea? Also, should I be taking a zinc supplement? Perhaps Vit E or C?

Thanks, I'm looking forward to some advice.

Small victory in scar war?

I have this scar typed pore from a trouble spot from about 2-3 months ago (when the trauma occured).

It has gotten a lot smaller since it first happened and I just noticed that in the last day or 2 a hair (whisker) is coming up STRAIGHT through the scar.

Is the hair a good sign? Or doesnt it make a difference?

Retin - A

There has been a lot of talk about Retin-A and Retan-A micro lately.

Some people have said that it did a lot for them, and I've heard others say that it didn't do anything noticable.

I've also heard that Retain-A "eats away scar tissue," while others claim that the improvements will disapear when you discontinue use. Which is true? Which is not?

Can everyone please post their experience with this topical? Maybe we can get all the info in one place (here).

Thanks in advance.