DEPopping Pimples – Yes or No?
Hand on heart, who hasn’t toyed with the thought: to squeeze a pimple or not? Generally speaking, however, it is not a good idea, no matter how bothersome the blemished skin may be at the moment. In hindsight, “squeezing” can lead to much worse and more visible consequences, such as inflammation or even scarring. So, what is the correct way to deal with pimples and blackheads? Find out more here:
Whether blackheads (comedones), pustules, subcutaneous pimples, or papules, the treatment must be adapted accordingly depending on the severity. It is clear that all are stubborn, and the initial cause of pimple formation usually lies in clogged pores. This is mostly due to excessive sebum production, stimulated by, for example, an improper diet, incorrect skincare products, makeup, or even medication. If a (purulent) inflammation develops in the affected areas, experimentation should be avoided.
Should you pop pimples yourself?
Above all, the idea of popping a pimple yourself should be immediately dismissed. When squeezing, bacteria on fingers, nails, and skin can much more easily penetrate through the resulting wound. Pimples always form where pore-clogging sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria meet in the sebaceous gland.
Furthermore, if the affected area is not properly and completely emptied, new formations can quickly reappear. If the thought is too tempting, always remember important hygiene, i.e., thoroughly clean skin and fingers and, ideally, wrap them in a tissue. Sometimes, tools like a comedone extractor can be a hygienic alternative. Ideally, the skin should be prepared with warm water or steam to open the pores. Afterwards, the affected area should always be treated with an antimicrobial product.
But be careful: never touch subcutaneous or deeper-lying pimples yourself. Incidentally, these usually disappear on their own, but it requires some patience.
Removing Pimple Scars
Acne is diagnosed when the skin is repeatedly affected by papules and pustules. Squeezing these often inflamed impurities would be fatal. Because the pressure can, in the worst case, cause the inflammation to spread into deeper skin layers and cause further inflammation. These processes generally destroy skin tissue, leading to what are known as pimple or acne scars.
Depending on their size and skin area, these can be removed using various methods, including more complex procedures such as:
- Laser therapy
- surgical correction
- cryotherapy
or also:
- a chemical peel
- cortisone injections
- abrasion of excess skin tissue (dermabrasion)
- removal of affected skin via chemical peel
- or microneedling.
However, ideally, it shouldn’t even get to that point. Therefore, the rule is: keep your hands off popping pimples or blackheads.
If you have questions about pimples, their treatment, or impure skin, you will find relevant answers in our Skin Journal and on our website.
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