Have you ever spotted a pimple that is just screaming to be popped? It’s time to learn to resist those urges. Popping your pimples is just a recipe for disaster. Here’s why:
Never Pop Your Own Pimples
First off, you are preventing your body from healing. Acne is your body’s response to blocked pores and bacteria, so that pimple means your body is trying to heal itself. Think of this next time you are tempted to pop one! When you pop a pimple, you are pushing bacteria, oil, and debris out and tearing your skin, causing an open wound. You may even be pushing the bacteria and oil down even further, leading to an even larger blemish or even more acne. Scarring is yet another risk. Even if scars don’t develop, inflammation can cause dark spots on the skin called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. You could also cause depressed scars known as pits, which happens when tissue in your skin is lost due to damage done to the skin.
If you squeeze too much, you may turn a regular zit into a nodule, which is a hard, red, painful blemish deep within the skin, or an acne cyst. Acne cysts are large and painfully inflamed lesions that develop when a membrane forms around the infection in the dermis. It then creates a soft, fluid-filled bump that must be treated by a physician. If you have painful acne, relieve the pain with ice rather than picking or popping.
Prevent Acne
To prevent future breakouts, continue your acne treatment regimen and let your skin heal naturally as often as you can. Keep your hands away from your face, especially when you are using shared surfaces like those at school, work, and on public transportation.
Alternatives to Popping
If you are feeling tempted to pop your pimples, consider going to get an extraction instead. Your pimple will be removed using special tools in a sterile environment, reducing your risk of re-infecting your skin. You can apply a hot compress to an inflamed pimple or use an over-the-counter spot treatment.
Premier Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery
For the past three decades, Premier Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery has been Delaware’s practice of choice in skin and aesthetic services. Our goal is to address all of your skincare needs under one roof by integrating medical, cosmetic, surgical and aesthetic expertise with the highest standards of care and compassion. We are able to provide a comprehensive approach utilizing our different but complementary training backgrounds, philosophies, and techniques, to achieve premier results. Our dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and aestheticians work collaboratively to integrate treatment plans that help you look and feel your best.
By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy. You can also disable cookies entirely in your browser settings.