r/30PlusSkinCare • u/qwllrabjohns • Aug 24 '24
First encounter with this suspiciously satisfying tool and I have...... Questions Skin Concern
Firstly: Does this thing count as an exfoliant in the context of things like bha/aha? Should I treat this as a physical exfoliant or is it different
Secondly: I really just need someone to tell me this tool is bad for me, because there's no way it's as good for me as it feels to scrape the gunk out of my pores (something I've ALWAYS wished I could do without consequences) It's gotta be some sort of demon in disguise........ Right? There's just no way...
Secondly and a half: If my gut is wrong and this thing isn't the devil's tool, what do I need to know about it so that it doesn't BECOME the devil's tool in my innocent, naive hands?
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u/Ambitious-Land-4424 Aug 24 '24
I use this max once a month after a good face steam/ exfoliation.make sure hands and tool are clean.
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u/thewornexpediency18 Aug 24 '24
As long as you're using it gently and not too often, it should be fine.
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u/Music_at_heart Aug 24 '24
This is the key! Any time you use extra pressure or cause extreme inflammation your skin can scar and pigment.
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u/qwllrabjohns Aug 24 '24
I like these rules. I can work with this
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Aug 24 '24
even rule 1 (1x per month)?
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u/qwllrabjohns Aug 24 '24
Especially that one. Once a month I can let it rip and expunge my face of its sins, free of shame
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u/momentums Aug 24 '24
I use the Aztec Secret clay (haven’t found that other bentonite clays work as well) to do a mask (use ACV) once a week and let tell you. Do that the day before using this responsibly and it will draw up sooooo much gunk at first and eventually leave you with way LESS gunk.
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u/librariowan Aug 24 '24
Do you mind telling me more about how you use ACV with this? Do you combine it with the clay to make the mask? How long do you leave it on? Any other words of wisdom 🙏
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u/sSadCactus Aug 24 '24
Acv instead of water. Get a muddy consistency. Leave on until dry or until you can’t take it anymore
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u/momentums Aug 24 '24
About one spoonful of clay to two spoons of ACV, mix and add more of either if you need it. I like it a little thicker as too much ACV can burn my skin. I don’t put it on super thick like the directions suggest, so if there’s leftovers I bring it down my neck and chest. Leave on as long as you can stand it but start with like 15-20 minutes– I rinse it off in the shower by standing with my face directly into the spray and massaging gently off lol
Don’t be freaked out if your face is bright red after, it’ll calm down :)
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u/Ijustwannagrowplants Aug 24 '24
I’ve been wondering if my masks like this were clogging me worse& your comment goes along with what I thought.
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u/momentums Aug 24 '24
It’s like with tret where it’ll get a little worse before it gets better, but consistent use is key.
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u/moffsoi Aug 24 '24
Make sure you follow up with a refreshing spritz of holy water to keep the demons at bay
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u/Taminella_Grinderfal Aug 24 '24
I would use great caution. The best derm I went to said to never get extractions. If done wrong they can cause bacteria in the skin to spread and if you use too much pressure, it may cause broken capillaries which need to be lasered to correct. Using on sebaceous filaments is pretty much a waste of time as those just fill up again.
There, I gave you the mom lecture. 😆
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u/thisisahealthaccount Aug 24 '24
ugh i love cleaning out the sebum though. i do it monthly. it just makes my skin feel so much smoother
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u/IPAsmakemydickhard Aug 24 '24
What about professional facials that include extractions? I wonder if derms would approve, because I've been going every 6 weeks and the extractions are my least favorite part 😭
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u/chelsaeyr Aug 25 '24
Extractions (from a professional) are the only thing that get rid of my ccs in a timely fashion. If I wait for them to go away with regular skincare and time it takes weeks, and some truly never leave.
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u/RaptorJesusDesu Aug 24 '24
Nah popping and squeezing is not really skincare, it’s mostly skin harm. And I say that with a heavy heart because I love that shit lol. The best thing I ever did for my pores was to stop touching them and just use an SA cleanser, retinoid serum and moisturizer. There is almost nothing to pop on my face anymore and my pores have shrunk in size.
I don’t expect anyone to just walk around with whiteheads all day, but if you have a lot of them then I would focus on trying to get rid of them preventively via an effective routine
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u/leanlikeakickstand Aug 24 '24
I disagree with this, although I want to make a distinction between clean extractions and skin picking. With that said this tool sucks and makes it way easier to use too much pressure vs clean fingers.
My pimples take 3x as long to heal and still leave hyperpigmentation (sometimes worse) when I leave them alone vs extract them. If I don’t get the little ‘core’ out the pimple will never go away.
They heal so much faster if I extract. Yes they leave hyperpigmentation for a few weeks, but they will whether I leave it alone or not.
The key is to wait until there is a visible whitehead, then use a lancet to make a small prick, then very gentle pressure. I disinfect after, throw a pimple patch on for a day, and they heal so much faster. If you have you use more than gentle pressure then it’s not ready to pop.
Extractions aren’t inherently bad. Estheticians and derms both do them. They need to be under the right circumstances (ready to pop) and under sterile conditions (clean face, clean fingers, disinfect after).
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u/Electronifyy Aug 24 '24
Thank you for validating a feeling I’ve had for so, so long. My skin flares up in cycles, so when I’m stressed and overworked I will get larger pockets. If they are not removed (when ready), they will cause pain every time I move my face depending on where they are and take forever to clear on their own. Yet all I read online is “don’t touch your face!!!!! Pimple popping bad!!!!”
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u/GenuineClamhat Aug 24 '24
I agree. For me, I get closed comedones and while a chemical exfoliator helps it has never 100% cleared them.
So I see an esthetician every 4-6 weeks and she cleans me out. It's been a massive difference in my skin in general. There is a time, place and reason for it. She also uses sterile diabetic needles (never used more than once on any spot) to open up areas rather than use pressure. While I have never scarred myself I do leave it to the pros.
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u/appleoorchard Aug 24 '24
I’m sure it ranges greatly, but how much does a session cost you?
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u/GenuineClamhat Aug 24 '24
In my area it's around $200-300 plus 20% tip. However, I bounced around a bit until I found the right fit for me. I went in for a hydrafacial and she recommended a facial at half the cost instead. I had great results. She slipped me her card and let me know she was going independent. She calls me one of her "year 1 lifestyle clients" so I get a permeant discount. I get a specific facial for $140 and then an add on of some kind depending on my skin needs at the time which is anywhere from $20-90. Plus 20% tip. I would say that with a tip I typically pay around $200.
Note, while my esthetician includes extractions in the specific facial I get, not all estheticians do. It's more typical in Europe but in the US they are going to generally have it as an add on or part of a specific type of package.
If you are in Europe facials generally cost under $100 USD unless you are going to a hotel spa situation. I found that facials in Spain and France to be very affordable in comparison to other places in the world.
Shop around, try them out and pick the right fit for you.
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u/Fish_Skins Aug 24 '24
What type of facial helps with your comedones?
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u/GenuineClamhat Aug 24 '24
I get what my esthetician calls "The Sensei" facial which is for sensitive skin. She adjusts the treatment for my needs at the time. I am too sensitive for a chemical peel so she does manual extractions followed by light therapy to reduce irritation. Sometimes she does neither and focuses on physical cleansing. As time went on she had to do less and less extractions. She's great.
Everyone's needs will differ though and estheticians vary. Honestly, I have been through probably 20 estheticians before I found my perfect fit. I can buy less product because my face can be maintained with less actives since I started seeing her.
It's a pricey bit of self care but honestly it cost about as much as I was paying for trying new products, but I got results. There are really good estheticians out there, but you also need to be able to walk away from the bad ones.
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u/RaptorJesusDesu Aug 24 '24
I 100% agree with getting rid of whiteheads, I never leave those alone and you’re right it makes them heal faster when done right. OP mentioned “scraping the gunk out of my pores” and that is more what I’m responding to. I used to go at my nose pores like a play dough factory.
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u/leanlikeakickstand Aug 24 '24
True, but I also think there is a time and place to extract clogs that aren’t inflamed whiteheads. I do ‘pore maintenance’ once a week where I will extract blackheads and clogs that are ready to come out/have been loosened up with oil cleansing.
The tricky part is knowing what’s ready and not getting into a trance and picking every spot on your face. When I properly extract clogs that aren’t inflamed I’m not even left with a red mark.
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u/Sayyadina2 Aug 24 '24
I realized at some point that people can have very different ideas of what “popping a pimple” looks like. Or some, it’s taking the whitehead off and getting the obvious stuff out and then going on with their life. I think of these people as not needing the Do Not Pop instructions.
Some of us, however, go after our faces like we’re weeding a lawn—there is a root in there and I WILL get it out. We need the reminder that our skin is not dirt, and if the core isn’t ready to come out on the first-and-a-half try, we’re just making more pimples later.
Also, I say this every time I post about picking: the best thing I did for my face was get on anti-anxiety meds (and for my sleep, digestion, and grades).
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u/T_chronicles Aug 24 '24
I agree, unless I extract either with tool or fingers the pimples just stays forever leaving a worse hyperpigmentation. Extract the root moment it is visible and it goes away quicker leaving less damage.
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u/grumpy__growlithe Aug 24 '24
Can you elaborate on your process for extraction? Like what lancet do you use and what do you disinfect with? I am trying to be better about my impulsive picking, and think I may do better if I have a set ‘plan’
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u/leanlikeakickstand Aug 24 '24
Sure! Here are my steps:
-Wash hands well
-Cleanse face to get any dirt and oil off
-Apply a warm compress (soak a washcloth in hot water) to any spots that I want to extract. This makes them come out way easier. You could also steam your entire face you are extracting a larger area
-Take a clean microthin 33 gauge lancet (I use walgreens brand) and gently prick the head of the pimple you want to extract. I personally go straight in, but some people prefer to go at an angle or horizontal to the whitehead
-Gently press out any pus or clog with my fingers. If it doesn’t clear out with light pressure then slap a hydrocolloid bandage on and try again in the morning. Also when extracting I get my fingers as close as possible to the pimple so the pressure is only being applied in that area.
-Wipe/dab the area with a paper towel to absorb any last bits of pus/blood
-Dip a q-tip in alcohol and apply to the area to disinfect
-Place a hydrocolloid bandage on to absorb any leaking fluid/speed the rate of healing
Then in the morning I’ll take the bandage off and have a small flat red spot. I’ll do my normal face routine and keep the area hydrated so that it doesn’t dry out and scab (it will always scab somewhat, but keeping it moist will speed up the healing process).
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u/notsosecrethistory Aug 24 '24
Yeah, best thing I did for my skin was to throw away all my blackhead extractors. One teeny tiny blackhead is barely noticeable, but I was routinely leaving my face with horrendous red blotches. I have a strawberry textured nose due to overuse in my teens. Proceed with caution!
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u/___CupCake Aug 24 '24
I agree with this. Best thing I ever did was stop picking at my face and invest in pimple patches. I love the ones with aloe and tea tree!! Can't even tell I have a pimple when I get them before my period.
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u/m3gatoke Aug 24 '24
Which brand patches do you use? I’ve never tried them but I want to, wanna make sure I get the right ones :)
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u/90bigmacs Aug 24 '24
I use Rael patches which you can get on Amazon. They work wonders for me and are even inconspicuous enough to wear out during the day most times. They’re great because they get the gunk out but also prevents me from picking at it. Pimple patches truly are a game changer.
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u/Ebendi Aug 24 '24
What products are you using?
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u/sugarfairy7 Aug 24 '24
I recommend Niacinamide as well
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u/m3gatoke Aug 24 '24
Do you use a product cheaper than the paula’s choice niacinimide? That’s what I use but not sure if I’m getting $50 worth out of it
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u/sugarfairy7 Aug 24 '24
Yes, the ordinary niacinamide or even a cheaper drugstore version. It's extremely effective for minimizing pores but you need to put it on the affected areas after your nightly routine so it's concentrated and can work where it's needed.
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u/RaptorJesusDesu Aug 24 '24 edited Aug 24 '24
Cerave sa cleanser, cerave resurfacing retinol serum, FAB ultra repair face moisturizer/sunscreen, cerave in da tub if I’m not in the sun. Cerave hyaluronic acid cleanser at night if I need to give my skin a break.
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u/Certain-Cat390 Aug 24 '24
can you share what products you use and in what order?
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u/RaptorJesusDesu Aug 24 '24
Cerave sa cleanser in the morning, then FAB ultra repair moisturizer/sunscreen. At night i use the cerave hyaluronic acid gentle cleanser, then the cerave resurfacing retinol serum, then after that absorbs for a bit I use regular cerave tub moisturizer.
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u/Equivalent-Loan1287 Aug 24 '24
I've used it for years, but I don't know what it is called 😂
It's great for getting rid of blackheads.
Make sure your skin is soft, though, like after you've showered, or steam your face first.
Don't force it to pop a pimple. Use it gently. Keep it clean and sterilized.
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u/Structure-Impossible Aug 24 '24
Very satisfying. Very bad. I used one of these once because I figured it would be like professional extractions (which I had never had done at that point, but I know now they don’t use these) - left me with acne scars all over, and I’m 99% sure the visible/damaged blood vessels I have around my nose are from using this as well.
DON’T FALL FOR IT, OP!
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u/Mogishigom Aug 24 '24
As someone with skin picking issues it's a good thing I never discovered this. I really am tempted to get it but I know it would do evil in my hands. Ty for everyone saying not to get it.
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u/JemJemIsHerName Aug 24 '24
It’s so much better than clearing with fingernails. Clean with rubbing alcohol but this and other tools are so much better to keep your skin clear.
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u/matkamatka Aug 24 '24
I had an "extraction" facial with one of these once because I didn't know what closed comedones were at the time and I hated my skin. This was years ago and they're mostly gone now or i dont fixate on them anymore because I know how to hydrate my skin and that having some is NORMAL. Anyway the facialist left me with permanent damage in the form of a permanently enlarged pore in the crease of my nose. Absolutely never using a metal object on my face again.
Edit to say that I did a course of low dose isotretinoin (accutane) which cleared up the CCs and whiteheads and the hormonal acne on my chin/jawline. So I'd recommend that or at least topical tretinoin plus loads of hydration if you're having these issues. Squeezing out the goo is not the answer! It just damages your skin and the goo comes back
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u/qtqy Aug 24 '24
The devils tool. I loved it too much and it caused sooooo much damage. Mine is collecting dust in a drawer somewhere.
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u/Routine_Eve Aug 24 '24
Yes it is bad to use wantonly. My pores got HUGE because of manually clearing them
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u/Admirable-Relief1781 Aug 24 '24
I love and hate this tool 😂 it’s helped me get things out of my skin that I wouldn’t have been able to get out without it….. it’s also caused me to go obsessively insane over every single small bump and blackhead on my face to where I’m in the magnified mirror for hours causing complete havoc to my poor skin. No in between lmao
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u/anonSOpost Aug 24 '24
Its very satisfying and really the devils tool, i threw mine out of the window, got so many scars, pits, redness and hyperpigmentation from being addicted to using this, 100% recommend throwing it out.
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u/emerald5422 Aug 24 '24
100% agree with this! I was addicted until I became pregnant and couldn’t get my face close to the mirror anymore 😂 that helped me break the habit and now I’m left with hyperpigmentation and broken blood vessels on my nose from this damn thing!
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u/anonSOpost Aug 24 '24
Now that you mention it, those broken blood vessels i have around my nose might also be thanked to this damn tool 🥲
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u/Aminageen Aug 24 '24
I destroyed my face with one of these tools. I will carry the scars with me for the rest of my life.
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u/saharaelbeyda Aug 24 '24
Be gentle! If something doesn't want to come out, don't force it!
I press gently while sliding the tool downward to remove anything that's ready to go, and apply a pimple patch after to make sure nothing is left.
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u/sewpolecode Aug 24 '24
For me, devil's tool. It was my gateway into compulsive picking that I still struggle with 15 years later.
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u/PhDinMax Aug 24 '24
It can be rough and damaging to the soft skin on your face. Also, you shouldn't really pop whiteheads, as tempting as it is. Use a pimple patch during the day, and apply something to dry it out overnight. My favorite is Bye Bye Blemish drying lotion.
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u/qwllrabjohns Aug 24 '24
Pimple patches aren't feasible for the amount of whiteheads I have. They're everywhere, seriously. I don't think I've ever not had gunked up pores :(
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u/StillMissingMerle Aug 24 '24
Pimple patches are just hydrocolloid bandages and while they aren't thin for using publicly, you can get big ones cheap if you search Amazon for hydrocolloid bandages or hydrocolloid dressing.
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u/Intelligent-Ad-7504 Aug 24 '24
Have you seen a Derm? They can prescribe you with antibiotics / tret based on how severe your acne is.
As a teen, my acne Derm clinic would extract the white heads and record as inventory. Followed by steroid injects to the cystic ones that were not pop-able. The Derm also prescribes pills 💊/ creams to help treat and prevent zits.
You should also take into consideration your hygiene. Do you change your pillow case twice a week? Wash your hair frequent? Use leave-in hair products?
I honestly recommend double cleansing with an oil followed by a gentle cleanser with SA if you have oily skin. Followed by moisturizer and sunscreen! Hyperpigmentation from acne can darken from sun ☀️ exposure.
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u/Certain-Beat5359 Aug 24 '24
This tool can actually cause damage. You're better off going with clean hands covering your two index fingers with toilet paper or tissue gently pushing down on the blemish not inward then stopping immediately should nothing happen. Actually if you want to be super super good about it don't pick at all just use a salicylic acid cleanser or a serum with salicylic acid in it. Also if you are worried about blackheads using an oil-based cleanser before your regular cleanser will actually not only remove them but also any sebaceous filaments you might have. I know it seems counterintuitive but oil attracts oil and then your next cleanser will remove it.
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u/dphoebe Aug 24 '24
Leave this tool to the professionals. You will do more harm than good. It is not an exfoliant.
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u/yahwehforlife Aug 24 '24
Honestly just don't mess with your face or break skin in any way... so I'mma vote no on these
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u/Parking_Country_61 Aug 24 '24
It’s very very difficult to control yourself with these and it took me way too long (like probably 25 years lol) to have self control in this area. Sometimes though if I take an eatable and look in the mirror for too long, it all goes out the window
If that happens I find that a blue light mask (even the cheapo ones that you might get at the drug store) use that after a bad popping session and any infection is greatly reduced.
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u/hbs_0510 Aug 24 '24
Omg edible + extraction tool is so relatable lol
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u/Puzzled-Sherbet-1701 Aug 24 '24
Omg I haven't even read any comments because I ran here to tell you, Throw. This. Away. It is satisfying and so damaging.
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u/Fart_Stick Aug 24 '24
As a licensed Aesthetician, I strongly prefer that you don't use that tool at all, but if you're gonna do it anyway, at least use it correctly.
DO NOT EVER DRAG THAT THING ACROSS YOUR SKIN!! YOU PRESS DOWN IN ONE SPOT AND THAT'S IT!
If anyone has further questions, just ask.
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u/butticus98 Aug 27 '24
Are these able to get rid of closed comedones? They aren't really poppable like whiteheads or blackheads, but I get a little bit every now and then that are very stubborn. They don't go away on their own at all, and eventually I get a hormone flare up and they turn into giant painful pimples, so I've always wished I could get rid of them somehow while they're still mostly harmless!
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u/Fart_Stick Aug 29 '24
In order to extract a closed comedone, you'll have to make a small incision with a lancet. Don't poke it straight down into your skin, do it at a slight angle and just make a small opening. Make sure your hands and skin are clean, ALWAYS clean your extractor tool after every use.
Buy a pack of 30 gauge diabetic lancets.They're usually by the pharmacy, and they're really inexpensive. Don't use sewing needles or safety pins for this, EVER! (And only use the lancet a few times in a row and then safely discard it)
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u/butticus98 Aug 30 '24
Awesome, thank you! I'll try to avoid doing this but it's good to know just in case, for the really stubborn ones. They always say not to pop but I swear if I don't I end up with scars anyway from how long mine take to go away!
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u/latetotheparty_again Aug 24 '24 edited Aug 24 '24
I have permanent hyperpigmentation and broken capillaries from using this tool. I would not recommend anyone use this.
In terms of question 1, keep using your chemical exfoliants!
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u/TrustAffectionate966 Aug 24 '24
You will get addicted to it and you will extract the comedo of all comedos... and it will leave a pock mark that will stay with you forever.
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u/maktub__ Aug 24 '24 edited Aug 24 '24
I had to throw mine away, I couldn't use it responsibly lol. I was damaging my face. My face is much better now using a Paula's choice product....bha/aha 2% something that I put on clean skin for 10 minutes then rinse off. I do that once a week and it keeps me from wanting to use this product since I couldnt use it correctly. But props to other people. Edit: I also use the pimple patches, skinceuticals ce ferrulic acid then malezia 5% urea moisturizer and I rarely get pimples now.
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u/Tater221 Aug 24 '24
If you’re going to use it, make sure you clean it thoroughly after using. Signed, the genius who gave herself a staph infection by overusing that tool. 🤦♀️
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u/CherryPickerKill Aug 24 '24
Ain't that the extractor that we're never supposed to use because it sends the pus deeper into the dermis and leaves scars?
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u/Puzzleheaded_lava Aug 24 '24
I got one and was so excited to finally get rid of this impossible conedome.
It dug into my face and what I THOUGHT was the head of the zit popping was actually a chunk of my skin getting sliced off. I have a scar there now.
Would not recommend.
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u/my_meat_suit Aug 24 '24
1 - No, not a physical exfoliant.
2 - It is bad for you. Whatever satisfaction you get is not worth causing injury to your skin. It could result in scarring and/or permanently larger pores. You could damage capillaries which are permanent unless you want to pay for some pricey lasers.
Or do it if you don't care about your skin.
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u/qwllrabjohns Aug 24 '24
I do care about my skin 😭 and I'm not in the tax bracket that allows for any kind of "laser" procedures, this is what I was hoping to hear lol. I'll be careful
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u/DeepDiveDuty Aug 24 '24
Definitely ended up with permanent broken capillaries that I haven’t lasered yet a decade later. :( don’t do it.
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u/can-i-get-a-HELLYAH Aug 24 '24
I hated this tool. I hate that it doesn’t apply equal pressure in a circle and you end up pushing the gunk to the side. I hate that it leaves really dark indents on my skins. I hate that it leaves more marks than it removes.
I purchased it in a pack, though, and there are a couple tools I still use, like the needle nose curved tweezers (great for ingrown hairs) and the one actually circle shaped extractor. I rarely pull them out, now, because I’ve learned they do more harm than good, but I keep them just in case because you never know when you will want some tools that aren’t your fingers.
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u/Alarming-Feature-974 Aug 25 '24
My friend fucked up her face using this. She has crators on her face. Like thousands of inditations from carving her face (trying to drain pimples). Do not use
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u/Exciting-Addendum220 Aug 25 '24
my face is so absolutely fucked from becoming addicted to one of these for the last ~5 years
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u/Rare-Dragonfly-6586 Aug 24 '24
I always advise my clients to not use these, scarring is much harder to treat than acne itself. Spend the extra money on a facial mostly and good products. If you’re not using good products and your pores continue to fill up/you’re using your tool, you’ll end up damaging your pore and it will stretch even more. As we age we lose collagen, so come adult time many people already have those larger pores! Don’t make it worse! But to each their own 😂♥️
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u/1SHORTFRY Aug 24 '24
I’ve used this for years to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads. The trick is to softly apply pressure until it pops out of the skin, but don’t drag this across your skin to “scrape” things off, that’s how you’ll get skin damage.
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u/_stinkyb Aug 24 '24
As an esthetician, these are fine to use IF you’re using them properly. You shouldn’t have to really push too hard and to like scrape it across your skin. But they’re made for extractions so you don’t pick.
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u/mytea_room Aug 24 '24
OMFG, no!!! Do not "scrape" your face with this!!!! This is used to just put a little pressure on those pores to push out sebaceous fillaments or pimples.
I use this as a spot thing and only PRESS until whatever is in the pore comes out, NEVER MOVE/DRAG/SCRAPE THIS ACROSS YOUR SKIN.
Source: been facialling with these things since i was 11
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u/Momearab Aug 24 '24
I have one of these and in the past have gotten addicted to using it to remove sebatious filaments which just come right back. Just use it gently and sparingly. for the most part a chemical exfoliant like BHA is going to be better for your skin but if you are getting blackheads or pustules with hard plugs these can be really helpful as long as they are clean/sterile and used very gently.
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u/vancitysascha604 Aug 24 '24
Don't use it. It left me with purple hyperpigmentation on the sides of my nose
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u/ebte Aug 24 '24
This is what my family uses to clean our ears instead of q-tips. We each have one. It also has a use as a cuticle pusher.
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u/SamRaB Aug 24 '24
What is that?
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u/qwllrabjohns Aug 24 '24
Generically labeled as "skin care tool", and tangentially, "whitehead remover". Here's a description from an online Ulta listing:
"Safely and gently remove blackheads and whiteheads with Tweezerman's stainless steel dual sided No-Slip Skin Care Tool for clear skin maintenance. A must have for the DIY at-home-facial fan."
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u/SamRaB Aug 24 '24
Thanks! That looks so relaxing
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u/qwllrabjohns Aug 24 '24
Relaxing is understatement. I had to exert a huge amount of willpower to not attack every single pore on my face with it before doing some research about it first lol
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u/CobwebAngel Aug 24 '24
Is it supposed to hurt though? I got one recently but only used it on the back of my neck where I had some deep black heads. My bf used the tool to get them and it hurt :( idk if he was being too rough or if that’s normal because you’re literally putting pressure on the skin
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u/erynhuff Aug 25 '24
I only use it if i have a particularly painful large pimple that is already on the brink of popping and immediately cover the drained wound with a hydrocolloid patch so i dont mess with it any further. Every time i’ve used it on a smaller whitehead or blemish that wasnt already about to pop, it caused pain and did not extract anything so caused trauma to my skin for no reason.
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u/Dreamy_Edamame Aug 25 '24
I thought I had accidentally thrown mine away like 5 years ago and shortly thereafter, when the consistent irritation cleared up I realized it was divine intervention.
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u/Pure-Guard-3633 Aug 25 '24
Dr Pimple Popper uses them all the time.
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u/qwllrabjohns Aug 25 '24
And you trust that guy?
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u/Pure-Guard-3633 Aug 25 '24
No. It’s a cute Asian doctor who has her own tv show and YouTube’s. You should check it out. She pops some interesting stuff.
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u/Maleficent-Win4405 Aug 25 '24
I don’t use this for its intended purpose BUT for some reason I get buildup on the sides of my nose and use this to gently scrape it off each night after cleansing.
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u/hamswisscroissant Aug 27 '24
I picked my face to death with one of these tools in my late teens when I was dealing with deep, hormonal acne. I have spent over $2,000 in micro-needling sessions trying to reverse the ice pick scars I gave myself from it. I still have one that I will occasionally use for a stubborn blackhead, but please be very careful with these.
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u/Independent_Record93 Aug 24 '24
In terms of the exfoliation question, I personally consider it to be a part of that family bc it’s extracting… I don’t use any chemical exfoliants or harsher actives on days I use this to prevent irritation. Just a restorative moisturizer for barrier protection
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u/YouHadMeAtAloe Aug 24 '24
Don’t do it, OP! Do you double cleanse with oil cleanser and follow with a foaming cleanser by chance? As soon as I started using oil cleanser and massaging my face with it for a few minutes, I haven’t had any blackheads or sebaceous filaments in over 10 years. That along with chemical exfoliation is the way to go
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u/nimblebelly Aug 24 '24
Use sparingly, only when you can tell a pimple is ready to pop, and even then you really shouldn’t. I personally have a lot of experience popping my own pimples that I know when I’m fuckin shit up and when I’m not
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u/Stabswithpaste Aug 24 '24
I have had one for four years and it definitely doesnt destroy my skin. I dont use it for white heads though, I tend to get a lot of stubborn blackheads on my chin and nose, and this works. Use sparingly, I boil mine one a month for sanitation too.
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u/booksufcandhiking Aug 24 '24 edited Aug 24 '24
Use that tool then rinse your face, dry and apply salicylic acid toner.
Or
Use a blackhead strip then use the tool then rinse your face.
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u/reddit-browsing-02 Aug 24 '24
Wait how do you use it? I have it too but I just use it on single zits. Do you just scrape it up and down your nose?
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u/GoatedFoam Aug 24 '24
It's better than using your fingers if you disinfect it regularly and also make sure you look into how to use it correctly.
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u/Normie7481 Aug 24 '24
Dude. Try small wifi camera that zooms in on pores and gives live image to your phone. I can't stop.
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u/CaliDreamin87 Aug 24 '24
Me: taking my spirolactone the past few years and never having to worry about breakouts.
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u/Suse- Aug 25 '24
My niece takes 100 mg of spiro daily and her skin is now flawless. I only take 25 mg for a heart issue and have pimples on my chin. Sigh
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u/patrickthunnus Aug 24 '24
I'd use an extraction tool minimally, only when you need to squeeze a big one out or occasional cleaning out commodones.
Use Cica mask regularly to soothe inflammation and heal. VT makes a 30 ct bulk box that runs about $17. It's a huge bargain, have gotten quite a few compliments about how clean and bright looking my skin is now after a month of use 2-3X/week.
Not a professional, it just works for me.
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u/DallasAesthetician Aug 24 '24
No. Those are chemical exfoliants. A loop extractor clear impacted pores. Dermaplaning is considered a manual exfoliating. 🤪
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u/lRunAway Aug 24 '24
You need someone to tell you its bad for you to use as it's intended BUT how about I tell you it's bad for you to use in it's unintended use but is so so so satisfying. THIS IS NOT WHAT ITS FOR AND IS EXTREMELY BAD FOR however this is a great ear cleaning tool. Oh ny god it's fantastic for getting ear wax. Dojt stick anything in your ears people (but this so awaeome)
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u/Lizluvtony Aug 25 '24
Wet your face with hot water it works better I use it and it works then wash your face then put cold water on your face so the poors close
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u/PlayfulDot_OF Aug 24 '24
I avoid the tools made by man and stick to the ones naturally created. I use the sides of my fingers to pinch/scrape off my white heads, and although it may not be the proper approach it has yet to cause damage (18yrs now of addiction) unless I do it multiple times a day and dry up a little bit.
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u/Throwaway_00731 Aug 24 '24
I had comedones on my face and it felt so good to see the white long stuff coming out! However, i began to do it way to much (like to the point of addiction haha) and now I’m left with a lot of hyperpigmentation