Not sure if this is even possible

[notsosmart]

Hi,

So, I'm no scientist and I may not be the brightest when it comes to those areas. But I had this idea (not sure if it is even possible).

I wondered if it was possible to clear facial pores (blackheads, pimples etc) by inventing a lotion that is mixed with (let's say) iron particles. You put it on your skin, let it sink in and wait until it mixes with the gunk you have stuck in your pores. After that you could run a magnet over your face to extract the dirt mixed with (let's say) iron.

Would that even work our would the person be poisoned by the (let's say) iron? Would it mix with the dead cells/dirt in the pores if it didn't kill you before? Would the magnet pull out both the dirt and the iron or only the iron and leave the dirt behind.

I know it's a funky question but hey, why not ask, right?

Thank you for your consideration and it's totally fine to make fun of me if this question has an obvious answer (that, of course, I don't know about).

[Brett Nortje]

Hi,

 

So, I'm no scientist and I may not be the brightest when it comes to those areas. But I had this idea (not sure if it is even possible).

 

I wondered if it was possible to clear facial pores (blackheads, pimples etc) by inventing a lotion that is mixed with (let's say) iron particles. You put it on your skin, let it sink in and wait until it mixes with the gunk you have stuck in your pores. After that you could run a magnet over your face to extract the dirt mixed with (let's say) iron.

 

Would that even work our would the person be poisoned by the (let's say) iron? Would it mix with the dead cells/dirt in the pores if it didn't kill you before? Would the magnet pull out both the dirt and the iron or only the iron and leave the dirt behind.

 

I know it's a funky question but hey, why not ask, right?

 

Thank you for your consideration and it's totally fine to make fun of me if this question has an obvious answer (that, of course, I don't know about).

you can also clear out the iron in your pores by going into a sauna.

[EdEarl]

Acne is no laughing matter, and not knowing something (I admit to being ignorant of many things) is no reason for someone to make fun of a person. Unfortunately, people do like to make fun of others to make themselves feel better (usually those people have insecurities of their own that makes them rude, mean, and otherwise unkind to others).

 

That you took the time to log into this forum and ask a question means you are interested and willing to learn, that is smart, no matter whether your question is brilliant or not.

 

I am no expert, but had acne as a teenager. I believe there are three important factors that influence whether one has acne, genetics, diet, and hygiene. You cannot change genetics, but the other two you can influence. I recommend people with acne change their diet, which is easy but hard as hell--we become addicted to the foods we eat and really hate to change. Hygiene is easy but hard as well, because cleaning ones skin every time one's skin becomes oily or dirty takes time away from fun things or important things.

 

My recommendation of diet is vegan, for many more reasons than acne control. However, I also know the meat and dairy addicts will contradict me in posts that follow this one. Moreover, the FDA diet includes meat and dairy, and that is the diet taught to medical professionals. However, Buddhists have been eating vegan for a more than two eons with excellent results. If you really want to find out about why a vegan diet is good, see the documentary "Forks over Knives" (done by two MD cardiologists, one an MD PhD) and/or read books by John A. McDougall, M.D. (See: http://www.drmcdougall.com/). Next best IMO is the Mediterranean Diet (See: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mediterranean-diet/CL00011). Basically, these diets are extremely low in fats, oils, sugars, and processed foods.

 

IMO diet is the most important factor in leading a healthy, happy life. On the other hand, I have not mastered my diet and continue to be addicted to foods that are not good for me. I wish you luck.

Edited June 8, 2013 by EdEarl

[Elite Engineer]

I would assume the iron, being sprinkled onto/into your pores and then rubbed into your skin would cause some kind of acute toxicity...maybe.

 

I also dont believe the particles of iron would carry any acne inducing "gunk", just probably (if any) dead skin particles and lotion

 

Back in high school I always used facial soap mixed with sugar grains to act a s roughner to smooth out the skin and remove any oil/ dead skin that would clog pores. Hope this helped!

 

Welcome to the OSF!

[John Cuthber]

I think the essential problem is this "You put it on your skin, let it sink in and wait until it mixes with the gunk".

You are waiting for a solid to mix with another solid and that's going to take a long time.

[Enthalpy]

The kind of fatty acids eaten seems to influence acne: saturated ones seem to be bad here as well. Then, vegetals would be an imperfect targeting, as palm oil is saturated while some fish has excellent fats.

 

Antibiotics work very well against acne, but can't be taken permanently.

[John Cuthber]

The problem is that too many people worry too much about physical appearance.