Having a good skincare routine is essential for keeping your skin healthy and clear. Unfortunately, there’s one area where many people fall short: popping their zits. Popping zits can seem like an easy fix, but it can actually aggravate your skin and cause more harm than good. In this article, we’ll discuss why it’s so important to stop popping your zits and give you tips on how to properly care for blemishes.
Reasons to stop popping your pimples
There is no doubt that having a pimple or two on your face can be annoying and embarrassing. However, the temptation to pop them is often too much to resist. Unfortunately, popping zits not only aggravates the problem but can also lead to serious skin issues in the future. Here are some of the top reasons why you should stop popping your pimples right away:
Increases inflammation and infection
Popping your zits may seem like a quick and easy solution to acne, but it can actually have serious repercussions. Not only does it increase inflammation and infection, but it can also lead to permanent scarring and hyperpigmentation.
When you pop a zit, the area is no longer protected by the skin’s natural barrier which allows bacteria to enter the open wound. This increases inflammation and infection as well as speeds up the healing process. Additionally, due to this increased inflammation, it can take longer for your skin to heal properly causing more noticeable scarring or hyperpigmentation. In extreme cases popping zits can even cause cysts that require medical attention in order to be treated properly.
Causes worse acne
If you ever took off a zit only to have it appear shortly and look much worse, you’ve endured one of the pain points linked with picking at acne.
If your pimple does not comprise a well-developed whitehead, you might create more damage and cause the pus to spread outside your skin. Because you broke open your skin, a scab developed, making it difficult for any pus that remains below the surface to escape.
As a result, you cause the formation of nodules (hard, inflamed lesions), conglobata (collections of nodules), and cystic acne (sordid, fluid-filled lumps) beneath your skin. Popping zits often increase their formation, making your acne worse.
It Leads to permanent scarring
When it comes to pimples, popping them is a big “no-no”. Doing so can lead to permanent scarring that will stay with you for life, not to mention the risk of infection and inflammation. Those who have popped their pimples know how difficult it is to get rid of the associated redness and scarring after the fact.
That’s because whenever you pick or pop your pimples, you damage the sensitive skin tissue that has built up on your face. The more you injure your skin by picking at it, the more likely you’ll lose this delicate skin tissue.
Even if your acne popping doesn’t create a crater in your face, it can cause dark spots called keratinocytes. These appear when the skin becomes irritated and sends out more melanin, causing hyperpigmentation that can persist after your acne vanishes.
Safer ways to care for acne
While popping pimples can provide temporary relief, it’s not the best way to care for your skin. There are safer methods that can help you treat and prevent acne without damaging your skin in the process.
If your skin is experiencing moderate or severe acne, Dermassociates will assess your skin and provide personalized skin care recommendations and acne treatments, including:
- Topical therapies
- Resorcinol and/or retinoids
- Oral antibiotics
- Hormonal therapies
- Accutane for severe, cystic acne
- Chemical peels
- Laser treatments