Contrary to what pimple popping videos may show, squeezing your skin to extract the contents of a pimple — a mixture of oil, dead skin and bacteria — can cause scarring and infection. It can also worsen inflammation, making the pimple larger, more red and more painful.
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.
“When you pop a pimple, things are not only coming out, but they're going inside as well. You're pushing that puss, bacteria and inflammation deeper inside the skin, which makes you more likely to have a mark or scar afterward,” explained Jennifer Lucas, MD, a dermatologist for Cleveland Clinic.
“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.
Dermatologists advice against popping pimples. It can lead to infection and scarring. Popping a pimple can cause infection and scarring, and it may make the pimple more inflamed and noticeable. It also delays the natural healing process.
You may be tempted to pop this unwanted guest, but it's not a good idea. Contrary to what pimple popping videos may show, squeezing your skin to extract the contents of a pimple — a mixture of oil, dead skin and bacteria — can cause scarring and infection.
Given their raised height, should you pop whiteheads? Popping is never advised as you may rupture the area of skin around it. This leaves those pores exposed to bacteria and scarring, which can increase the rate of pimples and cause stress to skin.
scarring can happen whether you pick at your acne or not, but here's why you should still avoid the urge to pop. "Inflammation-related acne scarring aside, aggressively pinching or squeezing a pimple or whitehead just makes the underlying inflammation worse. This, in turn, makes scarring even more likely.
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.
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.
Picking can create new wounds or reopen old ones, leading to bleeding and scarring. When this condition is severe, it can lead to skin damage that's extensive enough that it may need surgery, such as skin grafting, to repair the damage. Infected wounds may also need antibiotic treatment.
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).
The section of your face from the bridge of your nose to the corners of your mouth is sometimes known as the “danger triangle of the face,” or even the “triangle of death.” And it's one place where you should never pop a pimple, as it can lead to an infection in your brain.
Popping a pimple can delay your body's natural healing process, which causes your pimple's healing to take longer. You could push the pus and bacteria further under your skin.
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.
Ice may help reduce redness, swelling, and pain in inflammatory-type pimples, including pustules and cysts. However, ice may have little to no effect on noninflammatory pimples, such as comedones, more commonly known as blackheads and whiteheads.
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.
Dr. Lee uses the video to educate about the difference between a whitehead and a milia, which can sometimes appear quite similar. Milia are bumps containing keratin that has been trapped underneath the skin, and are sometimes called “baby acne” or “Epstein pearls."
Using a cloth or tissue, keep pressure on the blemish. After one to two minutes, the bleeding should stop. Try not to touch the open wound with your bare fingers. Body oils and dirt might make matters worse and prevent the pimple from going away as quickly as it should.
Acne is a common issue for many people, especially for teenagers and young adults in their 20s. Some have mild symptoms, while others can have very severe issues. Acne effects around 90% of adolescents with the prime age across all genders being the teenage years of 14-19 years old.
The answer is isn't all that simple. Ice doesn't necessarily help clear up acne or pimples — particularly if you're suffering from cystic and nodular acne — but it can help inflammation. This works because acne is an inflammatory condition meaning that it causes flare-ups that contribute to swelling and redness.
Toothpaste is not an effective treatment for pimples. If pimples are a regular problem for you, consider an acne treatment regimen. Over-the-counter acne products and prescription acne medications help to prevent pimples and heal existing ones. Using these treatments consistently can help keep your skin clear.