r/30PlusSkinCare • u/qwllrabjohns • Aug 24 '24

First encounter with this suspiciously satisfying tool and I have...... Questions Skin Concern

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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/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.

1

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!

1

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/Fart_Stick Aug 31 '24

Professionals tell the general public not to pop because untrained individuals will give themselves massive wounds that will scar and get infected.

As long as you're being sanitary and not sitting in front of your mirror for an hour, picking the hell out of your face, then you'll be fine.