Problems with blackheads [mood swings] [blackheads]

I have acne / blackheads since I was 16. It peaked when I was 18, but most went away by the time I was 21. Im 22 now.

During then I have tried everything but accutane (because the mood swings associated with drugs) 0.

Anyway, now I hardly spots left (maybe 1 or 2 very small ones every once in a while) and I still use the Differin my dermatologist gives me (along with a stronger cream in the morning), but Im still a colony of blackheads on my nose and around that area. It is impossible to extract blackheads, because whenever I do, no matter how careful I / squeeze (with the Tweezerman tool) the area is lit and stays like that for 3 days. I am very careful about the physical extraction, and the area is still bright red. So I turned with a scrub (St. Ives Apricot) in the hope that somehow, the majority of the blackheads clean (I do not know much about how skin works) If you have an idea 0.

I wash twice a day with St. Ives, after depending on time of day, I bring a strong Retin-A cream or type Differin.

Is this a good regimen to get rid of extra blackheads? I really can not stand the fact that I am 22 and still 50-75 blackheads on and around my nose.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

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Reply:Osonofaguno,
I wouldn't use a scrub 2x a day. Maybe only before you goto bed. Try using a gentle cleanser in the a.m. like cetaphil or phisoderm. You may find it helpful in decreasing the number of blackheads on your nose. My husband used the Apricot Scrub in the shower….by the way he had never had a pimple in his entire life…UGH!
He started using it 2x a day and started breaking out. It was causing his skin to produce more oil and in the process his pores were getting clogged up and causing what he referred to as "flare ups". He has no idea what a real flare up feels like…but none the less, he decreased the usage of the scrub and VIOLA…it cleared up.
Maybe if you try his method and continue the Differin on your nose you may find some relief.
GOOD LUCK!
Jennifer

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Reply:would using a scrub 2x a day be too much for my skin? how about just once?

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Reply:get a facial done, by someone who can really exctract. there are lots of preparations you have to do before you extract anything on your skin, scrub, then steam for like 15 minutes, then extract, sometimes a professional has to open-up the pore to get everything out,then a soothing mask is a must, some ice on a gauze may do the trick. then use some cleanser daily with salicylic acid, neutrogena has one, use it only on the nose.

good luck

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Reply:I used to have a colony of blackheads on my nose, and always disturbed by this fact,especially when I was standing in front of mirror. I tried to squeeze them out as many as possible one day and used some anti-acne cream on my nose . Since that day I stepped away from mirrors and used cream .A month later,I found that many of blackheads already gone !REMEMBER don't look at your nose in the mirror usually

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