6 replies to this topic

[CelineCarey]

I'm not even sure how to ask this questions. This pimples on my face are really weird. I can feel more pimples (when I am washing my face) than I can see :-s . And they feel hard (like the heads are dry or something) but no matter what I use or what I don't use the inflammation won't go away. I don't want to start popping them (actually that's exactly what I want to do :-$ ) because I don't want a bunch of dark spots all over my face where the pimple use to be (I'm getting dark spots anyway even when I leave my pimples alone ). Any suggestions on products or regimens would be appreciated.

[SkinXpert]

Those hard little bumps are probably milia, little balls of hardened sebum that get trapped under the skin. If you are getting dark spots I assume your skin tone is medium to dark, this skin type tends to hyperpigment more easily than fair skin. You can try steaming or warm towels on your face, then cleansing with a an AHA/BHA cleanser to mildly exfoliate. Don't try to pop them or squeeze them, they can be very difficult remove, you can cause scarring or dark spots if you bruise the skin. Stay away from strong Glycolic peels, a Lactic or Salicylic would be much safer, even a mild TCA peel might help. TCA peels ( even mild ones do require downtime) they really cause your skin to peel. A professional esthetician either at your Derms office or a skincare salon can remove these safely if your home treatment doesn't help.

[SkinXpert]

Those hard little bumps are probably milia, little balls of hardened sebum that get trapped under the skin. If you are getting dark spots I assume your skin tone is medium to dark, this skin type tends to hyperpigment more easily than fair skin. You can try steaming or warm towels on your face, then cleansing with a an AHA/BHA cleanser to mildly exfoliate. Don't try to pop them or squeeze them, they can be very difficult remove, you can cause scarring or dark spots if you bruise the skin. Stay away from strong Glycolic peels, a Lactic or Salicylic would be much safer, even a mild TCA peel might help. TCA peels ( even mild ones do require downtime) they really cause your skin to peel. A professional esthetician either at your Derms office or a skincare salon can remove these safely if your home treatment doesn't help.

[CelineCarey]

What about using one of those comedone extractors?

[SkinXpert]

Comedone extractors are OK for whiteheads that are at the surface. You should never put excessive pressure on the skin. Usually excessive sebum and surface comedones are extracted with very light pressure. Milia are deeper and the sebum has hardened into a tiny lump that is almost like a grain of sand, so they are harder to remove. Most times a lancet is necessary to open the outer layer of skin to allow the lump to be removed. this should be done very carefully or it will scar. Acid peels help exfoliate the tougher layers of skin then the milia can be removed more easily. Always steam or place warm towels on your face first to soften the skin before trying to do any manual extraction. Just always remember to be gentle !!

[CelineCarey]

That comedone remover is a joke! How the heck are you supposed to use that thing? Fortunatly I bought it from CVS and they have a pretty lenient return policy. But any way, I used a lancet (the pin thingy diabetics use to prick themselves) to provide an escape route for the gook to come out of my pimple and get this, not a single one had any pus in them! A few even bled! What is that all about?

[SkinXpert]

There is no pus in them because they are just milia not pimples. There is a build up hardened skin oil not pus in them. I would recommend you see your dermatologist or skincare professional before you try to remove anymore yourself.