Should you pop pimples?

When you have a pimple, it’s so tempting to pop them, especially when they’re full of puss.  Is it a good idea though?  Should you pop pimples?

Types of Pimples

There are a few different kinds of pimples.  There are papules – which don’t have a head – and pustules – which do have a head and are puss filled.  Cysts are another type of acne and these are the most problematic because they can lead to deep scars.  These are considered inflammatory acne.  But, you might also have non-inflammatory acne like blackheads on nose or whiteheads.  Whichever type you have, it’s tempting to want to get rid of them and to do it fast.  But, is it a good idea?  Should you pop pimples?

Should you pop pimples?

The simple answer is no but you probably already know that.  In order to keep your skin healthy, you should NEVER pop or squeeze your pimples that are red and deep in your skin.  This hurts your skin and the surrounding tissues – in fact, it can cause irreparable damage such as acne scarring that could last years or a lifetime.

But, what if there is an obvious “head” to the pimple – a white spot that is obviously pus?  The best thing to do would be to put ice on it along with your spot treatment.  Then, be patient.  The pimple will go away on its own by opening itself up, draining and then healing.

Do you like squeezing zits?  Many people (secretly) do so I’ll tell you how to squeeze zits the right way.

Popping pimples the right way

If you do choose to pop, do it in this way:

1. Wash your skin.
2. Using a warm, moist compress, like a washcloth that you ran under warm water and put this on the area for a few minutes.
3. Disinfect a sewing needle in rubbing alcohol.  Make sure it’s sterilized because you don’t want to cause an infection because of a dirty needle.
4. Use the disinfected needle to score the pimple.
5. This is the hard part but let it drain on its own.
6. I would then use a clean tissue to blot up any oil that is coming out.  I like doing this because I know that I am removing the oil and gunk inside the pimple.  My oily fingers aren’t touching the area so no other debris is getting in the pimple to cause further problems.
7. If you see any blood, stop everything because this is a clear sign that you have caused some damage.  You’ll only make the problem worse if you do anything else.  It’s best to leave it alone and apply some ice to minimize the inflammation.

Dealing with pimples

Pimples are a part of life unfortunately.  I mean, we’d all like to have clear skin, right?  But, with the stress of everyday living or for those of us who get pimples around our periods, there are natural ways to get rid of pimples.   Following some simple guidelines, including a healthy diet, proper exfoliation and exercise can help keep you pimple free so that you aren’t tempted to pop them.