Fact: No. Whilst you may not land in more trouble every time you pop your pimples, it is wise to leave the pimples to run their course or get them popped (pimple extraction) by a dermatologist.
A pimple (acne) on the pretty face? Cannot stop the urge to pop the pimple? Think before you act. By popping a pimple you may invite more trouble than you asked for. Read ahead to know why DIY pimple popping may not always be ok.
- Popping the pimples may lead to more pimples: Your fingers, nails, and hands are a major source of germs and bacteria. Poking, prodding, or touching the pimples may irritate the skin and introduce new bacteria in the skin. This might trigger inflammatory reactions making the pimples more inflamed and infected.
- A pimple is here today gone tomorrow; but the scar stays forever: A pimple usually regresses on its own in 3-7 days. But attempts to pop it may leave you with permanent acne scars or pigmentation.
- Not all pimples are alike: There are several types of pimples such as cystic acne or hormonal acne, boils that look like pimples but are actually bacterial infections (mostly caused by Staphylococcus aureus) or adult acne that should never be popped.
The take home message: While popping a pimple occasionally might seem ok, do not make it a habit. Remember ‘to heal a wound, you need to stop touching it’. Consult a dermatologist if you are having regular pimple break-outs.
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