Pore Problems

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If you have clogged pores (blackheads) it means that you are not exfoliating

enough/properly and/or you are not mosturizing enough/properly. A

combination of those two things is what is required to make a blackhead

(oxidized sebum). If there is bacteria involved then acne is what you'd call

it.

The material in there will definitely make your pores appear larger and the

dryer your skin is the harder it is going to be to remove this material. If

it feels almost crusty and dry on the top then you should work on softening

up your pores before you try and get the schmutz out.

Exfoliate your blackheads - Use enzymes to digest them, chemicals to

dissolve them, or scrubs to physically remove them from your face. I use a

combination scrub and enzyme mask w/ steam to keep my face totally clear. I

can't use any type of AHA or BHA - too harsh for me. You should think of

this as a very gentle gradual process not something for overnight.

Moisturize those blackheads - Wherever YOU are prone to get them spend an

extra amount of time massaging your cleanser (lightly) in that area - an

extra 30 seconds or so each wash just making sure everything is nice and

clean. Move your nose to the side if you need to so you can really get in

the corners well. Then spend an extra amount of time massaging in your

moisturizer in those areas as well. The thicker the cream the better to

accomplish this. If you skin wasn't too dry in the first place the oil would

not have gotten trapped inside of there - being soft and supple it would have

streched when needed to accomodate your fluctuating levels of sebum

production.

Most people unless they get facials a lot would try and dry the heck out of

the area because it looks oily to them. Unfortunately that is the WORST

thing you could do and actually makes the blackheads you have get larger and

makes more of them.

Extract those blackheads - USE EXTREME CAUTION

Once you have softened things up after a week or so of this regimen take a 10

-15 minute warm shower then either immediately afterwards or while you are in

there - with your face out of the water extract the blackheads using VERY

GENTLE pressure. DO NOT try and force anything that isn't ready to come. If

it won't come out it is only because it hasn't been properly prepared - it

should really just bust out with very little effort. Don't ever use your

bare hands no matter how clean. You can use clean latex or vinyl exam gloves

or fold a kleenex into fourths and then wrap that around each of your pointer

fingers or use gauze or cotton pads or paper towel - just something so your

finger(nail)s aren't coming into contact with the skin you are pressing on.

You want to very gently go around all sides of your nose slowly. If it is

ready when you start to barely squeeze your fingers together a " white worm "

will come out. I have also seen yellow and green worms but only on people

with acne. The worm could possibly be 1/2 " long and a varying diameters. If

your clogs are really bad you could have them refill fairly quickly. Once

you have the stuff moving it is really easy to manage. I have never ever had

one client tell me this routine did not work for them. On the sides of your

nose it is actually easier if you try and make the skin bow out instead of in

by using your thumb and index finger in the shape of a C and squeezing

instead of a V and pointing under and up. Some people keep one finger

stationary and kind of twist and press on the other side of the blackhead

kind of like pushing it out. When all done - never spend more than a few

minutes doing this once you've left the shower because your pores will no

longer be properly prepared and you will risk damaging your fragile little

capillaries. I can't stress enough how gentle you must be. I do this all

the time on people with very sensitive skin and have never left any marks,

thanks God. Make sure you wash your face really well afterwards and the

again moisturize well especially in problem areas.

Go get a facial - call around first and ask for estheticians to call you back

to discuss treatment options. Wait until you find someone you click with. I

work with 2 other ladies and we all have different philosophies, practices

and personalities. So call back and talk to someone else at the same

location if you don't like your initial contact. I can honestly say that

blackheads are a condition that can superficially be cured in one treatment

and proper home extraction techniques can then be demonstrated in person.

Ask them specifically about their experience with rosacea. Besides helping

your skin and helping you to help your skin at home a facial usually provides

a foot, hand, arm, face, neck and shoulder massage - so there are definitely

worse ways to spend an hour! Don't knock it until you try it.

If your experience with dermatologists has been like mine you always feel

rushed and like the symptoms are being treated very impersonally.

Estheticians provide the exact opposite of that. An esthetician is someone

who will listen to you and answer your questions in a nurturing private

environment for an hour. The closest experience I can compare it to is the

difference between seeing a midwife vs. an OB. If your symptoms are mild to

moderate then an esthetician is definitely the way to go. For more severe

cases a physician definitely needs to be involved.

Sorry this ended up being so long.

Jana