16 replies to this topic

[acne_is_going]

arent you on tane missyjean? just chill and sit back and they'll come out its freaky what the tane does to blackheadsa

[Ryan Cheese]

I remember a long time ago this thing was advertised on TV that sucked out your blackheads like a vaccum!

Is it still around?
Is it gentle and effective?

Are there any other at home extraction tools that a gentle and effective? I'd hate to keep making facial appointments.

I use a comedone extractor. From what I understand, dermatologists use it on their patients. I ordered mine off of the internet, and I think there's a good bit of legitimate sites that you can get one from. I haven't heard anything negative about them yet, but maybe someone knows something I don't.
Anyway, you just apply some light pressure and drag the loop across your blackheads and it pulls them out and collects them around the loop.
My camera can take closeups pretty well, so I like to take pictures of the loop after use. Here's an example of what it looks like:

[LongfellowDeeds]

the manicare conedome extractor is the only thing which really works, but to use it correctly it does hurt

[everyskyisblue__]

Comedone extractor is the way to go. That's the only way I ever remove blackheads.

It's reeeally good for popping any zits that have come to a head, as well.

[creamspliter]

Comedone extractor is the way to go. That's the only way I ever remove blackheads.

It's reeeally good for popping any zits that have come to a head, as well.

At first i thought "wow all you guys are idiots to buy this tool. Its just a loop on the end of a stick?!" So i thought id try this by fashioning my own loop from a paperclip. when i tried it out i was amazed?! I mean so much gunk was removed almost instantly. I was one of those guys with tons of whiteheads on my chin when it was stretched out. Now?! Its completely gone! it inflamed after though but from what i read your gonna be red at least for a while. I take back and apologise for what i thought. This stuff isn't as half bad as i thought. The only problem is it didnt do much for my skins smoothness (not that it would) and extremely stubborn comedones. Id like to know if the extractor has a thinner metal on it then a paper clip since this would make alot of since for improving its effectiveness.

[BerryPop]

that looks scary, haha.

does it actually work to get rid of blackheads?
What if the blackheads are really close to the skin?

[Ryan Cheese]

Id like to know if the extractor has a thinner metal on it then a paper clip since this would make alot of since for improving its effectiveness.

Yes, it's much thinner, and a lot sturdier than a paperclip I'm sure. Also there's sanitation to keep in mind, which is why I don't know if a paperclip is the best idea. My tool's instructions say to sanitize the tool each time before you use it (by boiling it in water or maybe just cleaning it with isopropyl alcohol?), and cleanse the area you used it on afterward. It is even recommended you put a cold rag over the area afterward to close your pores since removing the blackheads opens them up.

that looks scary, haha.

does it actually work to get rid of blackheads?
What if the blackheads are really close to the skin?

Yeah it really works. It's also the best way to see the blackheads coming out of your skin. I would always use a face wash and never really noticed a huge difference. But with this, you actually find your blackheads so that you can go in and physically remove them right before your eyes.

I'm not sure exactly what you mean with blackheads being close to the skin, but I'd imagine that they would come out much easier than blackheads that are deeper in your pores, if that's what you're getting at.

And there is a little pain associated with it, depending on how hard you press. But it's worth it when you see a whole bunch of blackheads come shooting out and the ring collects them all.
If I don't wipe the blackheads off of the loop each time I run it across my nose, they build up so I can really see how much I'm removing. Just by looking at how many build up, I've estimated around 150-200 blackheads on the ring when I'm finished.

[chipperf]

Good Lord,
I've been reading the post, and I must say, it has really freaked me out. But I really want to try this. Two Questions:

1. Where could I get this tool? And how much does it cost?

2. And I don't exactly understand what you do with, could someone please explain? Or give the steps or something?

[whoalisa]

I agree. If that picture was what I think it was (all the collected gunk from your skin), then I am thoroughly disgusted and totally convinced to go out and buy one of these right away I think you can buy them from walgreens, no?

but yes, if someone could give some clear instructions as to what to do. Does it only work for blackheads, or other gunk lodged in your pores as well?

[Stu2u]

http://www.acne.org/messageboard/redirect....v%3DEcPGKYslrJo

One in use

[Stu2u]

this one is scary, not for minors or those easily scared

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ainqVMlMfj4&...feature=related

[Ryan Cheese]

Okay first of all, the tool I'm using does not involve the following:

• Needles or puncturing
• Blood
• Or spider eggs hatching in a pimple that cause you to break your face on a mirror in terror and die (Thanks for that, lovely way to start my morning)

I'm pretty sure the video (http://uk.youtube.co...h?v=EcPGKYslrJo) that Stu2u posted shows a good example of how the tool works. Now, like I said above, I don't ever use any kind of puncturing device. But apparently dermatologists do for deeply clogged pores or whatever else proves especially difficult to remove. And I know you can buy tools like mine that have the other end as a lancet if you find it necessary.

Anyway, if you'll watch that video from 1:05 to 1:10 (and other sections where it occurs again), do you see how he presses down around the area and drags it across? The slight, but direct, circular pressure squeezes everything out, and by dragging it across, you pull whatever remains on the very inside out and collect it around the loop. It's a very efficient tool, even for blackheads that aren't punctured.

I don't have blackheads like the ones you see on Youtube where it literally looks like little worms or something coming out of the person's pores. (search: blackheads guy) Mine are smaller and more shallow, but a decent amount build up over time. So, I find a concentrated area of blackheads on my nose, press down, drag it across with the same amount of pressure, and most of them come out. The best areas for me are what I've heard called the "sweat beds of your nose", or the areas to the left and right of your nostrils. Using the tool in that locations causes dozens of blackheads to come shooting out as I drag it across, and I usually get a bunch that weren't even visible to me.

1. Where could I get this tool? And how much does it cost?

Personally, cause I'm cheap, I bought mine off of eBay. And it actually ended up being from a guy in the UK who sold it to me so it was like 3 pounds, and ended up being about $5 (USD), so with shipping made it like $10. I don't know if they sell them in stores, like at Walgreens or wherever. Personally I've never seen them. So if you can't find one, then just use the internet.
Here's one similar to mine listed at $15.50, so maybe you'd pay closer to $20 with S&H.

(http://www.betterhea...actor-tool.aspx)

Does it only work for blackheads, or other gunk lodged in your pores as well?

The looped end on mine works for blackheads, and I'd imagine it would pull other stuff lodged in your pores out too if it wasn't too deep. But maybe you'd need one of the tools with a lancet on the other end instead to get deep things out? (I'm not too sure how the lancets work exactly though)
See, the other end of my extractor has a dip in it and there's a hole in the bottom of the dip. I'm pretty sure you position the hole over the head of your pimple, apply pressure, and drag it across to remove all the pus inside the pimple. I haven't done this too often, though, so I'm not sure how well it works to really neutralize a big, explosive pimple.

[Stu2u]

Good informative post Ryan.

A lancet is only needed for enclosed comedones or spots that are covered in a thin layer of skin, and is used to just pierce the skin and thus allow a way out for the sebum.

[omega23]

anyone recommend one off of amazon? does it matter on the quality? there are some at local drug stores for like 5 bucks too...

http://www.londondrugs.com/Cultures/en-US/...mp;ProductTab=3