You learn something new every day. TMI

[congodwarf]

My sister (32) just taught me (29) the proper way to pop a zit.

Apparently, you stab it with a very thin needle (she used one of my bead weaving needles). Then, you use a q-tip on either side when squeezing (so you don't leave fingernail marks in your skin). Then you squeeze gently through the small needle hole. Then you put a bit of rubbing alcohol on it to dry it out.

This is the kind of thing most older sisters teach their little sisters when they're pre-teens. She said her ex-husband taught her.

I have to say, her popped zit looks much healthier than mine usually do. I'm not sure I could willingly stick a needle into a zit though. Those things hurt! The zits, I mean.

[Ferret Herder]

Then, you use a q-tip on either side when squeezing (so you don't leave fingernail marks in your skin). Then you squeeze gently through the small needle hole.
They also make "pore cleaner" tools that are basically a metal loop on the end of a handle that would do this trick as well. You're also supposed to use it to gently express a clogged (but not too impacted) pore, but I haven't had much luck with them in that respect. Here we go (http://www.carefair.com/Beauty/Beauty-Tools/Blackhead_Removal_Tools_1286.html), scroll down to the "metal loop extractors" and "double spoon extractors".

[Lynn Bodoni]

You should first examine the zit to see if there's a hair in the middle of it. If there is, then pluck the hair. Sometimes a lot of the crud will come out with it, and in any case, you'll have a dandy exit for the crud.

I only lance a zit or boil if it's a big one. Most of them I just pop.

[SeaDragonTattoo]

This page (http://www.acne.org/pop.html) is useful, as is the rest of the site for those who are acne-impaired. Similar technique.

[freckafree]

congodwarf, this thread makes me want to hurl.

Beading needle in a zit....EEEEWWW! OWWWW!

But I'm happy to know of another beadweaver on the Dope! :)

[congodwarf]

congodwarf, this thread makes me want to hurl.

Beading needle in a zit....EEEEWWW! OWWWW!

But I'm happy to know of another beadweaver on the Dope! :)

LOL, I was kind of grossed out too, but I had to watch.

I'm not really a beadweaver yet. I just started. I haven't actually finished anything yet.

[Scarlett67]

I keep a sewing pin tucked on a ledge in the bathroom in case of zits that need a little help. Just sayin' . . .

[Snarky_Kong]

I love when they splatter on the mirror.

[Mudshark]

Where's the fun in using a needle?

[Freudian Slit]

Doesn't anyone just leave theirs alone?

[Marlitharn]

Doesn't anyone just leave theirs alone?

Are you new?

[lemac]

I just shave my zits. It works for other... growths... too.

[aruvqan]

congodwarf, this thread makes me want to hurl.

Beading needle in a zit....EEEEWWW! OWWWW!

But I'm happy to know of another beadweaver on the Dope! :)

I use a lancet (http://carelife.en.alibaba.com/product/50232616-50051008/Pull_off_lancet.html) as I can never find a beading needle in the bathroom :D

[I just bought the spiffiest antique reclaimed gold bugle beads for a project, they will look fantastic with the seed pearls on blue velvet]

[aruvqan]

Are you new?

must be, otherwise they would have perused the epic zit thread .. anybody have a link to it?

[Mr Buttons]

Oooo.... Broomstick's famous on Google too. First thread when I punched in "broomstick zit thread" in my little Google toolbar. Super Zit (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=106449) (starts @ post 44)

[Dogzilla]

So sorry I opened this thread just before lunch. Feeling a tad queasy. Bleargh.

[congodwarf]

Where's the fun in using a needle?

The needle is only for one of the really deep painful zits. You know the kind: you squeeze and squeeze but nothing comes out because there's too much skin in the way.

[gigi]

I keep a sewing pin tucked on a ledge in the bathroom in case of zits that need a little help. Just sayin' . . .

I keep one there to drain cold sores. Then apply alcohol.

[AskNott]

Just don't try to use one of those ball-point needles made for polyester knits.

[Lynn Bodoni]

The needle is only for one of the really deep painful zits. You know the kind: you squeeze and squeeze but nothing comes out because there's too much skin in the way. Apply a warm moist compress a few times, for 15 minutes at a time. To make a warm moist compress, get a washcloth wet with hot water, wring it out, and fold it up. Hold it on the zit. It'll cool down in just about 15 minutes. Doing this will help bring the zit to the surface, if it's an ordinary zit.

Extraordinary zits might need professional medical attention.

[Broomstick]

Oooo.... Broomstick's famous on Google too. First thread when I punched in "broomstick zit thread" in my little Google toolbar. Super Zit (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=106449) (starts @ post 44)
Oh. My. God.

This is NOT how I wanted to earn my footnote in history!

[Zsofia]

What is it, by the way, that keeps a whitehead white and in place? Sometimes you get those things in the crease of your nose and you don't know how on earth that stuff is staying in there - is it some kind of membrane or something?

[Lynn Bodoni]

Oh. My. God.

This is NOT how I wanted to earn my footnote in history! "Oh. My. God." is just about exactly what people say when I show them that thread, and your posts.

I'm afraid you're stuck with being famous for having that monstrosity.

[Broomstick]

I'm just waiting for someone in real life who hears that story to ask me to display the scar as evidence. Which is largely impossible - I have trouble finding it, and I know exactly where it is.

[Wile E]

Doesn't anyone just leave theirs alone?

I do, I don't pop them, I scrub first them apply gobs of acne cream. They usually dry up in one day. I heard toothpaste is good for drying them up but I haven't tried that yet.

[KneadToKnow]

I guess I'm the only one that uses a glowing ember, huh?

[Freudian Slit]

I do, I don't pop them, I scrub first them apply gobs of acne cream. They usually dry up in one day. I heard toothpaste is good for drying them up but I haven't tried that yet.

I use a prescription acne cream, and a lot of stridex pads.

[Intergalactic Gladiator]

You know what honks me off? I'm 38 years old and I have gray hair in my van dyke and yet I still get the occasional zit.

There should be some sort of fundamental law of the universe that says a person shouldn't have gray hair and acne at the same time.

[Lynn Bodoni]

Hell, I should send you my photo. I'm about 25-33% grey, and I still get zits on a regular basis. My DAD still gets zits.

On the other hand, I just turned 52, and my face is almost completely wrinkle free. I have the very beginnings of crowsfeet, the beginnings of laugh lines around my mouth, and two tiny lines between my eyebrows, but that's about it.

[DrDeth]

You should first examine the zit to see if there's a hair in the middle of it. If there is, then pluck the hair. Sometimes a lot of the crud will come out with it, and in any case, you'll have a dandy exit for the crud.

.
Yes, almost all of mine are just ingrown hairs from shaving my face.