STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

how about steaming your face, then using origins clear improvement charcoal mask and then using tweezerman pore extractor? i had problems and this has helped tremendously. i do it every sunday morning.

DESCRIPTION Used by professional spas for facials, this dual-purpose skin care tool by Tweezerman is a must for clean, clear pores. (#3648) BENEFITS This stainless steel tool has a flat side to press out blackheads and an angled loop to roll out mature whiteheads. Squeezing blackheads and whiteheads with fingers aggravates skin and makes it susceptible to infection while possibly damaging or scarring skin. Put an end to that with Tweezerman’s Skin Care Tool. USAGE Disinfect tool with cotton and alcohol before each use. Blackheads: Evenly press flat side down directly over blackhead to gently force sebum out of the pore. Whiteheads: Wait until whitehead breaks open the skin. Then gently roll wire (from angled loop) over whitehead.

Be careful not to apply too much pressure as this could cause infection and scarring. Disinfect area when finished. For best results use after opening pores and softening comedones with a steamy shower, facial steam bath or hot towel. PRICE $9.50

Origins Clear Improvement® - Active charcoal mask to clear pores

Activated Charcoal acts like a magnet to draw out deep pore-clogging impurities while White China Clay absorbs environmental toxins to give skin a deep-down cleaning. Best for oily and combination skin. Use once a week, more if skin is oily. Layer on to clean skin, allow to dry, rinse well. 3.4 oz.

also the Mario Badescu GLycolic Foaming Cleanser is really good for deep cleansing.

Soothing herbal extracts from Chamomile, Yarrow and Sage make this cleanser ideal for all skin types in need of deep cleansing without causing dryness associated with a foaming cleanser. Glycolic Acid helps break down the build up of dead skin cells that can dull complexions, cause pimples and draw attention to fine lines and wrinkles. For dry skin, this cleanser should be used alternately with a milder morning cleanser. For oily and congested skin types, this product is recommended for nightly use.

-- Edited by mikacat at 13:29, 2005-05-30

I think I know what you are talking about.  They are not blackheads, but "brown heads" rather.  And they aren't the same as a blemish, although you can squeeze oil out of [most] of them.  They are all over your nose, perhaps a few down the sides of your nose as well.  If these are what you have, then they are just oil.  You have the largest pores on and to the sides of your nose (right?), so those large pores are just resevoires for oil. They aren't clogged or anything, just brown because oxygen has reached the oil and turned it brown.

DO NOT USE A PORE EXTRACTOR ON THESE; YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO DO MORE HARM THEN GOOD AND THEY WILL COME RIGHT BACK ANYWAY. 

I lived with this problem for most of my life and have only recently gotten rid of the problem, and on accident at that.  I'm not sure exactly why they have finally gone away after about 15 years of plaguing me, but I am following a new regimen. 

http://www.acne.org/regimen.html

 Try this regimen, but only on your nose if that is only where your problem is (and I would recommend going very light on the BP; I only give a quick sweep of the BP on my nose area).  I found it a little over a month ago and am very happy with the reduction in my acne problem (this after two rounds on Accutane). 

Basically you use a mild soap to cleanse, then follow with BP, then an oil-free/non-acnegenic  moisturizer.  I also use a wet cotton ball with a few drops of pure Tee Tree Oil (this may be a major component!) as my toner.  One note about Tee Tree Oil; it is very strong scented and bothered me A LOT the first time I used it as I am sensative to smells (cannot under any circumstances stand perfumes), but after the initial shock I adjusted and use it daily to treat acne. 

This is a lot of info, but I included it all because I am not sure which is the key component for getting rid of the brown heads.  All I know is that since I switched to this regimine my brown heads have disappeared. 

Drew- what is the difference between blackheads and brownheads?  Maybe I actually just have brownheads.

lynnie wrote:

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Drew- what is the difference between blackheads and brownheads?  Maybe I actually just have brownheads.

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They are both sebum filled pores, but the difference is that the blackheads have hardened, making them easier to extract (although you should still be very careful).  Brownheads are soft sebum and should not be extracted because they don't come out easy and you are far more likely to cause damage without doing any good. 

Cricket wrote:

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Drew-  Do you use BP AND Tea Tree Oil?  BP first?  What strength BP?

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I use TTO first; I put it on a wet cotton ball and wipe it all over my face, concentrating on any blemishes.  Then I use a good dose of 2.5% BP.  I use the one they sell from acne.org, because you get a whole lot and cheap.  I don't know if this makes a bit of difference or not, but I wait at least ten minutes before putting on moisturizer (all the products I use are recommended by acne.org).