Black Heads

[dk_psy]

My boyfriend has awful deep black heads on his back that no end of squeezing can get rid of. Any ideas of the best (and free if possible) way to get rid of them?

[alijangra]

How old is your boyfriend? If he is young then it may be a hormonal thing he is going to have to grow out of. My boyfriend had terrible blackheads until he was 24 (he was 20 when I met him) His personal hygiene was impeccable. These deep blackheads are caused by the sebum production from deep within the pores, so unfortunately topical solutions rarely cure it. In my experience, exfoliation and application of tea tree or witch hazel may help.

[kittiecris]

You could also try a black head remover, The Body Shop sells them, they do cost about �4 but they work better than squeezing and cause less stress to the skin. To make them come out a bit easier place a very warm towel onto his back and leave it for a few minutes, the heat will help to open pores.

You can make your own scub with sea salt or sugar mixed with a bit of olive oil that will probably be less expensive than buying one from the shop.

If you do have a bit of money spare, maybe buy a normal face mask with clay and kaolin in it. that will help to draw out the impurities from the skin.

The thinks Ive suggested would best be done in the folowing order:

1. steam with warm damp towl

2. apply mask

3. scrub.

4. use blackhead remover.

5. Apply tea tree oil diluted with water.

[Lonnie]

I haven't had any for years, but the best way of getting rid of them is the suction method. Get the empty outer casing of ball point pen, place the nib end over the Blackhead, push in, then pull, Wallah, out comes the Blackhead, complete with root, it doesn't hurt if you do it yourself.

[Solarjunkie]

The round end of a hairclip works the same as the official remover. Very useful for those awkward ones at the side of your nose where it is impossible to get your fingers in! Best time to get them out is after a bath.