The temptation to pop a ripe pimple is one that is hard to resist. But stopping yourself from doing so becomes easier when you realize just how much harm it could do to your skin.
Why you should not pop your pimple
There are a lot of risks to do-it-yourself pimple popping. You might have removed the yellow pus, but in its place lies a wound that can easily make your skin condition worse. It could become a hyperpigmented blemish that will take months to fade away. It could lead to scarring and textured skin for which the limited treatment options are expensive and do not always guarantee success.
Zapping a zit may also lead to a bigger, more painful zit in the exact same spot due to introduction of bacteria into the deeper layers of the skin. And if you’re especially unlucky, the wound left over from the pimple popping could become infected with other pathogens.
What you can do instead
There are other ways to get rid of a pimple. They may not be as immediate and satisfying as popping them, but they’re much more likely to give you the skin you want.
Treat your pimples.
Dermatologist-approved treatments bring down the discomfort of having pimples while minimizing the chances of hyperpigmentation and scarring. In addition, it prevents the formation of new pimples. Depending on the severity of the acne, topical and systemic medications may be prescribed.
If you have popped pimples in the past and are suffering the consequences, there are over-the-counter products and aesthetic services that can help with uneven, textured skin. Dermatology associations have online resources available to the public that can help you narrow down what ingredients to look for.
Apply ice.
If you want a quick respite from the redness, pain, and swelling, try putting ice on it. The cold will constrict the blood vessels, leading to decreased inflammation. It will numb the area temporarily so you don’t feel as much pain.
Have your pimples popped professionally.
Dermatologists have the expertise and equipment to pop a pimple in a way that will minimize infection, scarring, hyperpigmentation, or recurrent acne. Extraction, corticosteroid injections, and incision and drainage are some services offered by dermatologists to get rid of pimples quickly and safely.
When it becomes a compulsion
But there are people who are driven by the obsessive compulsion to pick at their skin. This is a form of body-focused repetitive behavior disorder called “acne excoriee”. Other examples of similar pathologic grooming conditions include trichotillomania (hair pulling) and nail-biting.
The skin of people suffering from acne excoriee is characterized by wounds, scars, and blemishes caused by incessant manipulation of pimples. They feel an uncontrollable urge to pick at their skin, believing that doing so will improve their appearance. When their behavior leads to wounds, they feel intense regret, and yet cannot stop the cycle.
If this sounds familiar to you, consider going to a mental health professional. You may want to ask your dermatologist for recommendations as they may know specialists who focus on disorders relating to physical appearance. There are many treatment options available that will help manage the compulsion, and subsequently, improve the condition of your skin.
This content is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice.
Resources:
Khumalo, N. P., Shaboodien, G., Hemmings, S. M., Moolman-Smook, J. C., & Stein, D. J. (2016). Pathologic grooming (acne excoriee, trichotillomania, and nail biting) in 4 generations of a single family. JAAD case reports, 2(1), 51–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdcr.2015.11.002
