The afterglow of a pimple pop fades fast once you’ve wiped the gunk off your face. Left behind is an angry, inflamed spot. One that definitely didn’t appreciate being manhandled.
Best case skin scenario? Don’t pop your pimples.
But in the event that you can’t resist—we chatted with dermal therapist Yadira Galarza Cauchi on all things pimple popping.
Is popping your pimple actually that bad?
“In many cases, yes. It can be pretty damaging!” confirms Yadira. “It can actually make the breakout worse by spreading bacteria to nearby pores.”
Sadly, everyone who has ever told you not to pop your pimples was actually right all along. Devastating news, I know.
Whether it’s casually poking at your desk during the day or a chin-to-the-mirror session, picking your spots can make your breakouts worse, courtesy of our grimy hands.
When you’re picking your spots, you’re actually:
-
Worsening your breakouts. All the touching of skin picking actually spreads bacteria across your face, ripening the skin for new breakouts.
-
Discolouring the skin. In a cruel twist of irony, your attempt to get rid of something on your face can actually leave a permanent mark on your face. When you pop a pimple, you actually damage the skin and disrupt the collagen production and tissue repair process to leave behind a scar, long-lasting redness, or dark spot.
-
Increasing your chances of infections. When you pop a pimple, you’re creating an open wound on your face. If bacteria gets in there, that once annoying little spot will grow into one angry infection.
But what about blackheads and congestion?
Your blackheads don’t get a free (picking) pass either. As tempting as it might be to try and push, pinch, and poke at those blocked pores, it damages the skin. Worse of all: it’s not even that effective.
“Picking at blackheads and skin congestion can damage your skin barrier, cause irritation, and lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (especially if you have a deeper skin tone),” explains Yadira. “Plus, if bacteria get into the open pore, you can trigger even more breakouts.”
“Instead of picking, try regular exfoliation with chemical exfoliants like AHAs or BHAs to keep congestion under control!
What to do if you just popped your pimple?
We have no doubt you’re a total skintellectual angel who wouldn’t dare pop their pimples. You’re not going to risk that very, very cute face with a momentary rush of a pop. Never!
But let’s say you just popped your pimple—hypothetically. What should you do?
Here’s what Yadira recommends:
-
Take a hot, steamy shower and carefully cleanse the affected area with a gentle cleanser.
-
With clean hands, surround your pimple with a cotton swab (you can cover your fingertips with clean tissues too). This will stop you from pushing too hard.
-
Gently squeeze the infection out and stop when you see clear fluid or blood. Don't force it if it's not ready.
-
Apply a spot treatment to the affected area.
What should I do instead of popping
Go on a walk. Listen and really hear Glitter by Mariah Carey. Bake a cake. Eat the cake. Or find other ways to treat your spot.
As Yadira says: “It’s best to let pimples heal naturally or use treatments designed to speed up the process!”
“You can spot treat, you can use pimple patches to absorb pus and protect the pimple from picking. Avoid over-exfoliating and use gentle cleansers, a moisturiser that is lightweight/won't clog pores.”
“Or see a professional for stubborn acne,” Yadira adds. “A dermal clinician can safely extract or treat breakouts with lasers, peels, and a tailored skincare routine that may incorporate ingredients such as retinoids and chemical exfoliants.”
“Never forget acne is a medical condition, if it is a concern, it is always best to chat to a professional. We're here to help!”
Comments