It can damage the underlying tissue of your skin and leave your complexion looking worse.
This can lead to redness, inflammation, and pus-filled bumps (pustules).
Dermatologistsand estheticians warn not to pop pimples because your pores are already swollen and under a lot of pressure.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
A whitehead is close to the surface and may pop and drain on its own.
A deeper pimple will eventually dissolve naturally.
This leads to the formation of a scab and the darkening of the surrounding skin.
Every time your skin is damaged, there’s a possibility tissue will be lost during the healing process.
That is how you get depressed or pitted acne scars.
The more extensive the damage, the higher the chance of tissue loss.
If the damage is minimal, the darkening of the skin will often reverse.
But, if the damage is severe or ongoing, the discoloration may lighten but not entirely disappear withouttreatment.
Safer Ways to Care for Pimples
Picking at pimples can spread infection and worsen acne.
A “hands-off” policy is best when it comes to caring for acne-prone skin.
Fortunately, there are safer ways to achieve clear skin.
Acne Spot Treatments
Instead of popping a pimple, try over-the-counter (OTC)acne spot treatments.
These products are dabbed on or applied as hydrocolloid patches to existing pimples to help them dry and heal.
Ingredients to look for include benzoyl peroxide,salicylicacid, orsulfur.
you could also try applyingiceor a warm compress to help shrink a pimple that’s bothering you.
OTC remedies work best for relatively minor pimples.
You may need to see a dermatologist if you have a really big pimple that won’t go away.
Spot treatments are unlikely to be of much help with more severe blemishes.
At one point or another, most people have popped a pimple.
Occasionally squeezing a blemish, while not great for your skin, is normal and understandable.
Summary
Popping a pimple should be avoided.
Popping can force the contents of the pimple into deeper tissues.
In some cases, the damage caused to the skin may be permanent.
Instead of popping pimples, try OTC acne medications or seek professional pimple extraction by a dermatologist or esthetician.
Severe acne often requires treatment by a doctor.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Pimple popping: Why only a dermatologist should do it.
2023;24(14):11289.
Published 2023 Jul 10. doi:10.3390/ijms241411289
American Chemical Society.Pimple Patches and What They Offer.
Grant JE, Brian OL.Excoriating (Skin-Picking) Disorder.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS).
“Questions and Answers About Acne.”
Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.
“Guidelines of Care for the Management of Acne Vulgaris.
“Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.2016 May;74(5):945-73.
