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.
“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.
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.
If you feel your inner dermat rising, the Mumbai-based skin expert recommends trying distractive measures instead. Since you generally tend to pick at a pimple when you are bored, Dr Pai encourages diverting your attention to another activity, such as speaking to a friend or watching a movie.
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 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.
In most cases, picking at your pimples is a bad idea. Some dermatologists say it's OK to gently squeeze a blackhead with clean hands or Q-tips. You should never try to pop a cystic or "blind" pimple, since the contents are locked under the skin.
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.
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).
In these instances, skin picking is often a way to cope with negative emotions. Boredom can also be a trigger. “People may turn to picking as a way to relieve their anxiety when they are overstimulated, or because they are under-stimulated and the behavior helps stimulate their nervous system,” explains Kilduff.
People with ADHD may develop skin picking disorder in response to their hyperactivity or low impulse control.
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.
Dopamine: Against dermatological advice, many people pick at their skin routinely. This habit releases dopamine, the feel-good hormone. As a result, popping and picking—or watching someone else do it—brings on a cathartic rush of satisfaction.
The ear is a sensitive area, and if a burst pimple becomes infected, this can cause further problems. It can also damage the skin and result in a scar. A healthcare professional can remove a pimple that causes severe discomfort or distress.
So once you've cleansed and dried the area, spot treat that erupting face volcano with a thick occlusive like petroleum jelly (a.k.a. petrolatum, the main ingredient in Vaseline and Aquaphor). According to Dr. Zeichner, this will lock in moisture and help your skin repair itself.
It's tempting, but popping or squeezing a pimple won't necessarily get rid of the problem. Squeezing can push bacteria and pus deeper into the skin, which might cause more swelling and redness. Squeezing also can lead to scabs and might leave you with permanent pits or scars.
Can I pop a blind pimple? Never try to pop or squeeze a blind pimple. Doing so pushes the oil and bacteria deeper, causing more inflammation and increasing the risk of infection.
"It's best to let a pimple run through its life span," Rice says. Left alone, a blemish will heal itself in 3 to 7 days. Popped improperly, it can linger for weeks or lead to scarring.
Pustules are a type of pimple that contains yellowish pus. They are larger than whiteheads and blackheads. Home remedies and over-the-counter creams may help treat pustules. Pustules appear either as red bumps with white centers or as white bumps that are hard and often tender to the touch.
A blind pimple is one that develops under the skin. A warm compress, pimple stickers, tea tree oil, or over-the-counter topical remedies may help remove a pimple under the skin. Blind pimples do not initially have a head like some other types of pimples.