Ready To Talk To A Professional About Pimple Popping
If you need help with painful or unsightly pimples, the U.S. Dermatology Partners team has you covered. From finding the right spot treatments and skincare products to providing acne extractions, corticosteroid injections, or surgical incision and drainage, a dermatologist can help you find some much-needed relief for uncomfortable or lengthy breakouts. If that sounds like something that would be beneficial, dont hesitate to complete our online scheduling request form. Once our local U.S. Dermatology Partners practice hears from you, a team member will be in touch to finalize the details of your visit.
Find a location near me
Sign Up for Our Newsletter!
Get the latest updates on news, specials and skin care information.
Popular Conditions & Treatments
Obsessed With Popping Pimples Heres Why
There are two types of people in this world people who love to pop pimples and people who shudder at the thought. Trying to figure out which one you are? Think about these questions
When a pimple starts to surface on your chin , do you get itchy fingers?
Does anxiety build in the pit of your stomach as you stare at the potential extraction?
Or do you feel a rush of excitement about whats to come?
Does the idea of a ripe pimple making that pop noise underneath your fingers give you a little bit of a thrill?
Have you ever spent a Friday night at home going down a rabbit hole of Dr Pimple Popper videos on YouTube?
If you answered yes to any of the above, then we guess youre pro-pimple popping. But dont be embarrassed or ashamed, it turns out youre not alone there are plenty of others out there who obsess over the challenge of popping a giant pimple.
Before we get into why some of us love it, lets chat about all things popping pimples.
Is popping my own pimple really that bad for me?
Think that popping pimples on your face will lead to clearer skin? Sorry to break it to you, but youre wrong! Popping pimples can lead to scarring, more acne or worse an infection. The only person who should pop pimples is a dermatologist, like Dr Pimple Popper .
What happens when I pop a pimple?
Have we convinced you to stop yet?
Ok, okI know its bad for me, but I still want to do it! Why?
Popping pimples releases dopamine
Popping pimples can become addictive
Whats The Difference Between Genital Herpes And Pimples
Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection that causes painful blisters on your genitals. Herpes simplex virus type 2 causes genital herpes, and the virus is highly contagious. You can spread genital herpes very easily through saliva, semen and vaginal secretions through sexual intercourse and other forms of skin-to-skin contact.
Pimples on your genitals usually arent painful. They can appear in areas of your skin that press tightly against your underwear or clothing, which causes dirt, oil and sweat to accumulate and clog your pores. You cant spread genital pimples through sexual intercourse or other forms of skin-to-skin contact.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Pimples are a common skin condition that affects most people, especially adolescents. Because it mainly affects teenagers, many people think pimples are part of the transition from childhood to adulthood and dont see a healthcare provider about them. But despite how common they are, they can severely affect your mental health and cause permanent skin damage. If you notice symptoms of anxiety or depression due to the presence of pimples, talk to your healthcare provider.
Recommended Reading: Can What You Eat Cause Acne
Safe Ways To Take Care Of A Pimple
Dermatologists treat pimples by using special sterilized instruments that dont pose the risks of at-home pimple treatments. But if you are determined to do it yourself, consider the options available before directly popping the pimple.
- Turn to over-the-counter treatments: Products containing salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or glycolic acid are all recommended to speed up a pimples healing process. Try using one for several days to see if the pimple improves. You could also try wearing a pimple patch overnight.
- Try a DIY method: Tea tree oil, either alone or mixed in a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, might do the trick. You can also mix activated charcoal or bentonite clay with a little water. Apply to pimples and leave for 15 minutes or so, until hardened.
Lets say youve tried one of those methods, or you just cant wait any longer. Follow these steps for the safest pimple-popping experience:
Risks Of Popping Your Own Pimples
Whether youre successful in your attempt or not, trying to pop a zit can lead to , , , and in some cases, even infection. If you consider whats going on beneath the surface of your skin, youll realize the area is under a lot of pressure. Squeezing it on the surface can cause your hair follicle to rupture and result in a bigger problem. Think more redness and swelling.
Also, no matter how often you wash your hands throughout the day theyre full of bacteria. Poking and squeezing an already congested area just adds fuel to the fire. Theres no good reason to add extra bacteria to your skin. Your best bet is to keep your fingers away from your face.
Read Also: How To Clear Acne Fast
When To See A Doctor
If you have frequent outbreaks, painful cystic acne, or acne that never seems to go away, you should see your doctor.
Acne that is leaving scars on your skin, does not go away with over-the-counter remedies, or makes you feel uncomfortable and self-conscious, should be treated by a dermatologist.
They may prescribe a topical or oral treatment, an in-office therapy, dietary or lifestyle changes, or a combination of all, depending on the severity of your acne.
Is It Safe To Pop A Pimple
We know what youre thinking: If it has a white head, it cant be too difficult to pop or, if its a noticeable blackhead, its extractable. But, according to Dr. Verallo-Rowell, you should never, ever pop a pimple.
Popping irritates and causes more inflammation of the pimple, so it remains red and lasts longer, she explains. Once the inflammation subsides, the pimple can leave behind marks that bother people as much as the acne itself. The marks themselves can be anything from a faded reddish dot or a dark scar to a depressed pockmark or thick hypertrophic or keloid scar. Worse, is that our hands touch body parts and objects that may have microbes, she adds. Unfortunately, many microbes have now become resistant to topical and oral antimicrobials. Some names you may hear are MRSA, MRStrep, resistant fungi, and viruses. In other words, when you pop a pimple, you open up the skin and make it susceptible to microbes, which can lead to a number of infections.
While theres never a great time to pop a pimple, the one exception is when you head to an in-office appointment to get the extraction done. This can be done at a dermatologist or estheticians office, by skilled professionals who use sanitized fingers and tools, as well as light, precise pressure to cause the least amount of damage possible.
You May Like: How To Make Acne Scars Disappear
How Are Pimples Diagnosed
Pimples are easy to recognize, so you dont necessarily need a healthcare professional to diagnose them. But your healthcare provider can diagnose pimples during a skin exam.
They may ask if youre undergoing significant stress or if you have a family history of pimples, which are risk factors. If you menstruate, your healthcare provider may ask about your menstrual cycles, as pimple breakouts are sometimes related. Sudden, severe pimple outbreaks in people 50 years of age or older can sometimes signal another underlying disease that requires medical attention.
If you have severe pimples , see a dermatologist for treatment. Dermatologists are doctors who specialize in conditions that affect your skin, hair and nails.
Why You Should Not Pop Your Pimples Unnecessary
If a pimple hurts or is under the skin, it’s not ready. When it is sensitive to touch like cystic acne, leave it alone. Usually, if the pimple doesn’t have a head yet and is still under the skin, trying to extract it can not only be very painful, but you can cause irritation and even infection that will make it harder for the pimple to heal. Picking at a pimple with unclean hands or long nails increases the risk of tearing the skin.
Worse yet, if you really traumatize the skin, you risk scarring that is likely to be permanent. Give it time to develop a head, or try treating with a topical acne product instead.
You May Like: How To Clear Up Adult Acne
Is Popping Pimples On Your Own Good Or Bad
Acne is a relatively common skin disease that not only affects teens but also young adults and adults. It is generalized as a problem of adolescence that primarily affects females, but that couldnt be far from the truth. While acne presents itself in different forms at all ages for all genders. The different types of acne are blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pimples, pustules, nodules, and cysts. Each type is unique but the one thing they hold in common is how much everyone wants to pop them.
Popping a pimple is an art, of sorts and when done properly, it is completely fine and not as dangerous as it is made to sound. However, the issue arises when it is done improperly. Since it is not common knowledge how to pop a pimple safely and hygienically, almost everyone does it wrong. This increases the risk of infection, which then worsens your acne. This is why doctors recommend against popping a pimple. We understand that it is quite hard for people to resist the urge to pop their pimples. But do remember that the satisfaction from popping a pimple is temporary while the consequences can be quite permanent, or at least, last a long time.
If a pimple looks just too tempting to resist popping, book an appointment with an aesthetician or an asethetic physician to pop it for you.
Evaluate Your Current Skin Care Routine
A good and consistent beauty regimen will help you fight zits and keep your skin clear, fresh, and bright.
Not sure where to start? Here are a few tips:
Wash your face twice a day. Wash your skin once in the morning and once at night to keep your skin clear of any pore-clogging buildup. But make sure to cleanse your face thoroughly so you get rid of all the dirt and oils you pick up during the day.
Cleanse your face after every workout. Sweating can cause your chest, upper back, and shoulders to breakout in a reddish-pink rash. This is caused by an overgrowth of yeast, which can inflame your pores. Washing your face and body after every workout will help remove the yeast.
Exfoliate two to three times a week. Exfoliate a few times a week to get rid of the pesky buildup that gets deep into your pores and causes breakouts. Exfoliation can irritate the skin, though, so look for a gentle scrub that has glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that removes dead skin while soothing your skin.
Invest in a toner. Toner can shrink pores, restore your skins pH balance, moisturize your skin, close and tighten pores, and prevent ingrown hairs. You should use an alcohol-free toner right after cleansing your face, morning and night.
Look out for ingredients that make you breakout. Some moisturizers, sunscreens, and face cleansers contain ingredients that can worsen your acne. Keep your eye out for:
- fragrance
You May Like: How To Clear Up Body Acne Fast
Whats The Difference Between A Boil And A Pimple
Boils are pus-filled bumps that develop deep in your skin. They usually begin as discolored bumps, which quickly increase in size and fill with pus. The bacteria Staphylococcus aureus causes boils and staph infections.
The following tips can help you tell the difference between a boil and a pimple:
- Boils dont respond to typical pimple treatments.
- Boils usually form around cuts or scratches on your skin.
- Pimples arent usually as painful as boils.
Patience Today Clearer Skin Tomorrow
While you may still be tempted to pop that pimple, you now know the benefits of using a different approach. And that can lead to clearer skin.
ImageThinkstock
ReferencesFulton JE, Acne Rx: What acne really is and how to eliminate its devastating effects! Self-published 2001.
Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016 74:945-73.
All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology
The American Academy of Dermatology gratefully acknowledges the support from Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
Recommended Reading: How To Treat Baby Acne And Dry Skin
What You Need To Know Before Popping A Pimple
Anyone with acne or just the occasional pimple has been tempted to pop their blemishes. While it may seem like the quickest, easiest way to get rid of unsightly pimples, popping can actually make breakouts worse. Dr. Amreen Sitabkhan of U.S. Dermatology Partners in Dallas and Carrollton, Texas, says, In the past few years, pimple-popping videos on the internet have created a trend around popping pimples at home. Unfortunately, many of these pimple popping videos actually show people popping cysts, boils, and other types of blemishes, which can be even more problematic than popping a pimple. Most people dont pop pimples as a way of getting involved in a trend. Instead, they think of popping pimples as a quick fix for a breakout, but pimple popping can lead to longer-lasting and more painful breakouts. Plus, popping opens patients up to a number of skin health risks. In this blog, Dr. Sitabkhan will talk through some of the many reasons patients should work with a professional rather than popping pimples at home, so keep reading to learn everything you need to know before popping a pimple.
Picking Makes Acne Worse
Even though picking at your acne gives a sense of momentary control, as you try to restore your skin to being pimple- and cyst-free, thats just an illusion. When you pick at lesions, you actually make them look worse.
The skin around the picked lesion may become red and inflamed, which makes the pimple look bigger. Your popped pimple could bleed or develop a scab. In other words, what was once just a single pimple has now developed into an angry, red region. And, strictly speaking, your pimples still there.
Read Also: How Long Until Birth Control Helps Acne
What Cant I Eat Or Drink If I Have Pimples
Healthcare providers and researchers once believed that certain foods might contribute to the development of pimples, especially skim milk, whey protein and diets high in sugar . However, that may not be true. The research between diet and pimples isnt clear.
But certain vitamins promote healthy skin, which may help prevent pimples. These include:
- Vitamin A: Good sources of vitamin A include leafy green vegetables, orange and yellow vegetables, tomatoes, fruits, fish and liver.
- Vitamin D: Good sources of vitamin D include fatty fish and vitamin-fortified foods, including dairy and nondairy milks, breakfast cereals and orange juice.
- Vitamin E: Good sources of vitamin E include nuts, seeds, leafy green vegetables and vegetable oils.
Your Best Bet Prevent The Next Pop Session
Pimple popping is, by far, the most popular way of dealing with these forms of acne, Dr. Piliang says. But working with your dermatologist is a much better method thats safer for your skin in the long run.
Its a good idea to see a dermatologist who can advise you on how best to treat your acne, she advises. He or she can get you on a regimen to treat the existing blemishes and prevent new ones from coming up.
Read Also: How Do I Clear My Face Of Acne
Acne Purging: Full Dermatologist Guide
acne treatment, things can sometimes worsen before they get better… a phenomenon loving referred to as acne purging. This initial purge doesnt happen for everyone just an extra lucky group of usbut it is a totally normal thing for roughly 20-25% of people who start a new, medical-grade acne treatment
, why does it happen, and what can you do to reduce it? Read on for dermatologist
Acne purging or skin purging is when a persons acne condition seems to get worse when they begin an effective topical treatment. This can mean more pimples. These breakouts can also be more intense than normal, often larger and more inflamed. For example, clogged pores may turn into active pimples
products have several side effects that can initially cause the acne to get worse while before producing the expected improvement, including
- Exfoliation
- Rapid destruction of acne bacteria
Your are essentially causing the skin’s upper layers to shed off while pushing all the gunk, and bacteria in your skin out to the surface. The pimples and cysts that would otherwise have come to the surface in future weeks and months start to come out much more quickly and seemingly all at once….oh, acne, the gift that keeps on giving!
Topical that can cause acne purging:
- Alpha Hydroxy acids (ex. glycolic acid
that can cause acne purging
- Isotretinoin/Accutane
There are a few ways to tell the difference between a regular
usually develop under the following circumstances:
