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Wed Jul 26, 2006 6:54 pm  |
I bought Self Magazine (July) the other day and saw some information on there about acne and the best way to extract blemishes.
I thought I'd repeat some of it here because I know I've been confused in the past! Reading it, I realize those hard bumpy things I sometimes get on my chin (like the one I have right now  ) are actually called cysts. I always called them "boil things". 
Here's the descriptions:
A slightly raised bump that's white or flesh-coloured.
What it is: A whitehead
As we age, dead cells slough off more slowly, forming a thin film that traps oil in pores.
A flat, blackish dot, usually along the oily tzone.
What it is: A blackhead
This is also an oil filled pore, but unlike a whitehead, it remains open. Air oxidizes the oil, causing it to appear dark.
A white-capped dome with a red, inflamed base.
What it is: A pustule
Pustules begin as whiteheads. Over time, bacteria grow and white blood cells appear to fight infection, inflaming the area.
A large, swolen mound that's red and very deep.
What it is: A cyst
Cysts, too, start as whiteheads. But growing amounts of bacteria cause the pore to spill into the dermis, skin's lowest layer so the pimple becomes embedded.
THE PROPER WAY TO EXTRACT:
1. Cleanse the area and wash the hands.
2. Hold a hot, moist cloth over the spot for two minutes to soften the dead-skin plug and the pore's contents.
3. Isolate the pore by placing the opening of a comedone extractor over the pimple. Push straight down until it pops. Don't force it or you'll risk scarring.
Now you know, I realize that when I have tried to extract things myself that I, #1 usually don't cleanse the area before (because usually when I see it, I have to get it out NOW!), #2, I never place a hot cloth over it, and #3, I have that comedone tool, however if it doesn't come out right away I'll DRAG it a bit.
Geez! No wonder my chin keeps breaking out!!!
If anyone is interested, these tips, plus some more about things that can help acne are on page 114 (Self/July issue). |
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Wed Jul 26, 2006 7:09 pm |
| This is really good advice. I follow pretty much the same procedure, generally with very good results. I typically follow the extraction and cleansing by putting something soothing (balm) on the area to assist in healing. |
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Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:47 pm |
| Any recommendations for a good extractor? |
_________________
*¸.·´¯)¸.·´fair/medium, tans easily; combo but mostly dry, sensitive skin¸.·´¯)¸.·´* |
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Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:56 pm |
| I have a tweezerman one and like it a lot. I haven't really seen too many varities... |
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Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:56 pm |
Aaagh, I always drag the extractor too. I also don't apply a heat compress beforehand. I had no idea I was doing it wrong, but it explains a lot.  Thanks for the info, Moonstarr! |
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Wed Jul 26, 2006 9:13 pm |
| I think the last step - not mentioned above is to clean the area after. I usually do a compress with my Emulsion Pure. Others clean with toner and dot the area with whatever acne topical they're using. I think it's very important to sterilise the extractor tool as well. |
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Thu Jul 27, 2006 12:34 am |
You know.....when I was training to be an esthetician, I watched a very cool video show the "proper" extraction method.
She used a lancet and held it horizontal to the white head, inserting it just a tad to create a little hole. And out it came.
With blackheads, she held the lancet perpendicular to the pimple and gently, inserted it just an itty bitty tad. And out it came.
I started doing the same and I gotta tell you, it works miracles. I do it on all of my clients and they heal so fast, leaving nary a mark.
I've tried almost every extractor out there and ALL pale in comparison to my cheap, disposable lancets. |
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Thu Jul 27, 2006 12:45 am |
| Mehaz (german brand) makes awesome pimple extractors. |
_________________
about to hit my 40s, retin-a user, differin, LRP |
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Thu Jul 27, 2006 6:43 am |
I would love to get a lancet, but I've never seen them for sale here. Of course, in my hands and my magnifying mirror, it may be dangerous!
My extractor has the loops on the ends, however one time I saw online I think it was an extractor with one end that had a completely round hole and the other end had the lancet. If anyone knows where these can be purchased (either in Canada or online), please let me know!  |
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Thu Jul 27, 2006 7:27 am |
Hello
Great topic, can I ask though: Am I the only one who has NO success with the extractor tool. Unless my blemish is already ready to squeeze, meaning large whitehead (which is really easy to squeeze without any tools) any other type of blemish or zit does not get extracted with the tool. It does not help. I am better off to warm the area with a cloth and gently apply pressure with my fingers. I can get blackheads (most), whiteheads and clogged pores this way, with NO left over scar or mark. That tool just leaves marks and NEVER EXTRACTS THE BLEMISH. |
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Thu Jul 27, 2006 9:25 am |
| After you do an extraction, use a little tea tea or lavender oil on the spot. They are both anti bacterial and gentle on your skin. They can help reduce the risk of the mark getting infected. |
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Thu Jul 27, 2006 9:29 am |
This is the nasty little secret thread...except here we can come clean.
I've found much better success after using the OCM. I think it is a combination of the oil and warm wash cloth that allows 'stuff' to come right out! I bet using an extractor and not my trusty bobby pin would work better, eh? |
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40. Routine: OCM, ThayersRoseToner as needed, Dr. Denese Dream Cream and Eye Cream |
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Sat Jul 29, 2006 12:45 pm |
I use lavender oil too. It's brill. I use it neat.
Only one thing I didnt know till yesterday. My facialist said that to only do this at night. if you do it during the day, the essential oil is so strong it will react in the sun = scar  |
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Sat Jul 29, 2006 2:33 pm |
| Moonstarr wrote: |
I would love to get a lancet, but I've never seen them for sale here. Of course, in my hands and my magnifying mirror, it may be dangerous!
My extractor has the loops on the ends, however one time I saw online I think it was an extractor with one end that had a completely round hole and the other end had the lancet. If anyone knows where these can be purchased (either in Canada or online), please let me know! |
Moonstar, I didn't even know what a lancet was so I looked it up on ebay and found what you are looking for. If you search for extractor lancet plenty of these come up.. extractor on one end, lancet on the other, and they're under ten bucks. |
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24 years old...Please click to Fund Food for Animals at the AnimalRescueSite! http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3 |
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Sat Jul 29, 2006 9:36 pm |
| When I get facials, they use individually wrapped, disposable lancets. I'm not sure if you can buy disposable lancets that are specifically for the face, but I bought a box of lancets that are for diabetics. (the fine gauge ones) |
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*¸.·´¯)¸.·´fair/medium, tans easily; combo but mostly dry, sensitive skin¸.·´¯)¸.·´* |
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Sat Jul 29, 2006 9:57 pm |
| Uhh, what's the diff between a sharp pin and an extractor? |
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Mabsy
Moderator
 
Joined: 17 Aug 2003
Posts: 9644
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Sun Jul 30, 2006 10:25 pm |
| spa_cake wrote: |
| Uhh, what's the diff between a sharp pin and an extractor? |
A sharp pin is.... a sharp pin - used to puncture the skin in order to perform the extraction. An extractor generally has loops on the end (or both ends) so that you apply pressure with the loops *around* the pimple or blackhead and force it out that way. |
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Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:01 am |
Mabsey: I think Spa Cake was wondering, "What is the difference between a sharp pin and lancet?" Sort of wondering that myself...
Eewwww, I'm supporting Spa Cake! I feel dirty now. I think its time for a shower. |
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40. Routine: OCM, ThayersRoseToner as needed, Dr. Denese Dream Cream and Eye Cream |
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Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:22 am |
| So what's better for the skin? A lancet or an extractor that has the loops? |
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Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:29 am |
| Probably to use both. When using the lancet, my facialist still needs to apply pressure with her fingers - the whitehead, etc doesn't just pop out by itself. Using the lancet decreases the amount of pressure needed, and using an extractor is supposed to be safer than the fingers for nonpros. |
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*¸.·´¯)¸.·´fair/medium, tans easily; combo but mostly dry, sensitive skin¸.·´¯)¸.·´* |
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Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:53 pm |
wow .. i am bookmarking this thread. iamgine how money i could save from thsi advice. I am a picker/squeezer and nhence have mega scars...
need to invest in a lancet/extractor thingie and do it properly!
thanks a lot guys |
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Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:54 pm |
so just plain teatree or lavender? what else would be healing to use ?
can you use glycolics (ie. cleanser or serum)after extracting? |
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Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:58 pm |
| natsumi wrote: |
| Probably to use both. When using the lancet, my facialist still needs to apply pressure with her fingers - the whitehead, etc doesn't just pop out by itself. Using the lancet decreases the amount of pressure needed, and using an extractor is supposed to be safer than the fingers for nonpros. |
Yeah, I can vouch for this! The other night that lovely bump on my chin finally came to a head, so I used both my extractor with a loop and a pin head at the same time and it worked so much better than using one or the other. I think there was alot less damage to the skin because the extractor helps force it up and the pin (or lancet if you have one) just releases it all really well. I have to say ... it was very satisfying! |
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Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:52 pm |
| Like I mentioned earlier, the lancets I use are disposable. They're actually for the machines that diabetics use to prick their finger when testing their blood sugar. I think the thinnest ones availabe are 30 gauge, and I buy the generic store brand ones from Walgreens, etc. It costs around $7-$8 for a box of 100, but I haven't bought it in a while so not positive. |
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*¸.·´¯)¸.·´fair/medium, tans easily; combo but mostly dry, sensitive skin¸.·´¯)¸.·´* |
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