Popping a pimple can be very tempting, but this is considered a bad idea. Picking at your blemishes can spread infection and ultimately worsen your acne. It can also permanently scar your face. If you do insist on getting rid of the pimples, there are more hygienic and safe methods you should use — never do it with your bare hands, that’s for sure.
Popping pimple
Reasons you should never pop a pimple –
1. You’re preventing your body from healing
Acne is your body’s response to blocked pores and bacteria — that bump means your bod is doing something about it. If you think of pimples as areas of skin where your body is trying to heal itself, it should deter the urge to pick.
2. You might make the pimple worse
Instead of making progress, you might just end up forcing the bacteria and oil down even further into the skin leading to an even larger pimple. As you press on the pimple, you are introducing bacteria and dirt from your finger into the zit. That can cause the pimple to become more red, inflamed, swollen and infected.
3. You might create more pimples
Ever notice that a second pimple often pops up in the place of one you just popped? Popping a pimple — whether you’re successful or not can spawn more spots. The bacteria, oil, and debris that are being contained by the acne papule, pustule or cyst once released, can spread and lead to more acne. No one wants to play Whack-a-Mole with their skin.
4. You’ll tear your skin
When you pop a pimple, you are forcefully pushing the contents — bacteria, oil, debris — of the acne bump out. To do that, you actually tear the skin. So best case scenario, you’re left with an open wound instead of a bump.
5. You might cause a scar
All these things can also up your risk of leaving a scar. Scarring is also a risk for people with deeper cystic pimples. These scars are difficult to treat once they’ve occurred. Save yourself the money you’ll have to invest in laser or filler treatment by avoiding the urge to pick.
To fight that urge, the first step is to understand the all these downsides accompanying your popping habit. If you are armed with this knowledge, you may be less likely to try to pop them.
Secondly, treat your pimples properly. “Rather than picking, apply a product with two percent salicylic acid to draw out extra oil and dry the pimple, to help overnight, you can try a hydrocolloid bandage which both allows the skin to heal itself and prevents you from picking or scratching.”
6. You might get Scabs
A big white head pimple can ruin your morning, especially if a meeting is due but living with it may be better than the alternative: a nasty, crusty scab. This happens because the skin thickens or darkens to protect itself from injury. Unfortunately, brown spots or hyperpigmentation is harder to clear up than a pimple itself and can take months to get rid of.
Popping isn’t the way to go, patience is the key. Your pimple will disappear on its own, and by leaving it alone you’re less likely to be left with any reminders that it was there.