Instead of popping pimples, try OTC acne medications or seek professional pimple extraction by a dermatologist or esthetician. If you can't resist popping a pimple, ask your dermatologist how to do it more safely. Severe acne often requires treatment by a doctor.
The best way to stop yourself from doing this is to break the habit. Wear a rubber band around your wrist and snap yourself with it every time you get the urge to pop a pimple.
Because 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. To dry a pimple up faster, apply 5% benzoyl peroxide gel or cream once or twice a day.
Apply benzoyl peroxide
The best way to make a zit go away fast is to apply a dab of benzoyl peroxide, which you can buy at a drug store in cream, gel or patch form, says dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD. It works by killing bacteria that clog pores and cause inflammation.
That's because dopamine — the happy-hormone — is released when you feel a sense of accomplishment. You know the saying “once you pop you can't stop”? Well unfortunately in some cases people can develop a pimple popping addiction. As we know, popping pimples can cause a surge of dopamine.
Your body can gradually break down pus and reabsorb its components. That's why small accumulations of pus (like in a pimple) often don't need treatment.
Not only that, popping your pimples can keep them around for longer. “True acne pimples do not need to be 'popped' and will heal faster if they are left alone,” she adds. There's one exception to the rule: While you shouldn't try to burst your blemishes, a dermatologist may help.
Steam or a warm towel can encourage pores to open up, which will relieve some of the pressure. Dr. Jaliman adds, "Steam or a warm compress to help draw out the pus in the pimple." A steam machine or a hot water-soaked towel both work just as well.
Avoid picking or squeezing the popped breakout to let your skin heal naturally. If you notice any signs of potential infection like redness, increased pain, pus, or inflammation surrounding the blemish, contact a healthcare professional immediately.
Pustules: These are pus-filled pimples that look like whiteheads surrounded by discolored rings. Picking or scratching your pustules can cause scarring. Cysts: These are pimples filled with a thick, yellow or white fluid composed of dead white blood cells, small pieces of tissue and bacteria (pus).
N-Acetylcysteine (NAC): NAC is an amino acid that has shown promise in reducing compulsive behaviors, including skin picking, in some studies. It may work by increasing levels of the neurotransmitter glutamate, which plays a role in impulse control.
DO: Blend Two Shades of Concealer. Using a concealer that's too light or too dark can make a pimple stand out more. Try mixing two shades of concealer to make a custom blend that's a precise match for your skin. Be careful to blend the edges of the concealed area to create a seamless line with the surrounding skin.
You can cause a blood-filled pimple by damaging blood vessels around an existing pimple. This often happens when you pop, squeeze, pick or over-exfoliate a pimple. Blood-filled pimples usually heal on their own if you prevent further damage and keep the area clean.
Putting toothpaste on a pimple won't help it go away faster. Toothpaste is an acne remedy that has no evidence to support it. It may even cause problems such as skin irritation and over drying.
The other half of the pus gets sucked inside since you're putting pressure when you release. It just stays there. You can't get it out anymore because it's inflamed and irritated. That's why pimples come back on the same spot, sometimes bigger than the one before it.”
“Not really”, says Lauren Taglia, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at Northwestern Medicine. “But if you must pop, wait until the pimple has been around a few days and has developed a white head, indicating there is pus near the surface. Avoid popping new pimples or those that are red or sore,” she advises.
If you don't get a skin abscess drained, it can continue to grow and fill with pus until it bursts. A burst abscess can be very painful and cause the infection to spread. Treatment for tooth and other mouth abscesses is especially important. Untreated tooth abscesses can kill you.
Why Do They Come Back? Typically, patients who have pimples that come back in the same spot over and over again are suffering from an underlying problem with bacteria in the skin. When you have too much bacteria in one area, and you aren't treating it, you won't ever fully get rid of the pimple.
The Possible Meanings of Love Pimples
In some cultures, love pimples are seen as a sign of romantic thoughts or feelings towards someone. Others believe that the location of the pimple can indicate which person is thinking about you - for example, a pimple on your forehead might mean someone has a crush on you.
Dermatologists and well-trained estheticians know how to do it safely. They wear gloves and lance a pimple with a sterile needle, then remove the contents with an instrument called a comedone extractor. So, your best bet is to leave popping a pimple to the pros.
So the pimple simply explodes by itself, because of the huge pressure inside the pimple. This pressure explosion results in damaged and scared skin. Certainly, it is likely that it will cause a red mark on the skin, as you probably get a small wound, which will become a scar.