It is a human tendency to pop pimples to remove pus and fluid from them. Many people feel satisfaction after popping up and removing impurities from them, assuming that it is fixing some problems. This feeling of popping pimples gives mental relief for some time, even though it is harmful.
When there are visible breakouts, people want to get rid of them as quickly as possible. So they think, popping them will heal them, and they might look better once the pus or oil is out of the pimple. When we see pus or oil coming out of pimples, the human brain releases a feel-good chemical known as dopamine, which is addictive. And they would want to pop pimples repeatedly.
The fact is, popping habits can cause skin damage, cause acne scars, and lead to more pimples due to spreading infection. In some cases, the acne mark would last longer on the face, which could have been healed naturally within a few days.
Why should one avoid popping the pimple?
There are several reasons one should avoid popping pimples. Those are:
1. Increase the risk of scarring
When we forcefully pop the pimple, especially if it is a deep one, it damages the skin tissue and causes long-term damage to the skin. When a pimple is already red and inflamed, pressing on it could tear the skin cell.
Doing so can increase inflammation and also disrupt the natural healing process. And that can result in damaged skin over time, and gathering more marks due to the habit of popping pimples frequently.
2. Spreads infection:
When we pop pimples without washing our hands first, bacteria from our hands get transferred to the face. When you squeeze the pimples, they become prone to infection due to the deeper layer of cuts into the skin.
Bacteria easily spread to other parts of the skin, making it more vulnerable to new breakouts, infections, and prolonged inflammation.
3. Inflammation and redness
By popping the pimple, bacteria and pus can go deeper into the skin instead of being removed. This can lead to redness, inflammation, and swelling. Instead of popping the pimple, one can use targeted pimple care treatment solutions such as acne patches and acne gel.
Using these targeted solutions is a smart choice as it is a gentle and effective solution to heal the pimples. It prevents you from picking the pimple, allows it to heal quickly, as well as they prevents dryness over an unaffected area of the face.
Still choose to pop a pimple?
We mentioned the consequences of popping a pimple, but still, if you somehow feel like removing fluid from the pimple, here are smarter and simpler skincare steps you can follow. It is best that you squeeze the pimple less often, and only under the right conditions with proper care.
- Cleanse your hands thoroughly before popping the pimple to remove bacteria and dirt from your hands.
- Use tools like a derma suction or comedone extractor. Make sure that these tools are sterilised properly before each use to avoid infection. Before using such tools, make sure to use a warm compress to ensure the skin is soft. You can gently keep the warm towel on your face to soften the skin.
- Do not use nails or dirty tools to remove pus from the pimple.
- When squeezing the pimple, be gentle and avoid excessive force.
- Clean the popped area gently and apply antiseptic or spot treatment for faster healing.
Fun facts about popping a pimple
- Dermatologists use a scientific name for popping a pimple, “Excoriation Disorder” or “Skin Picking Disorder”, which is a mental health condition where a person compulsively pops the pimple.
- One squeezed pimple can lead to two-three more pimples in the same area due to the spread of bacteria.
- Popping a pimple is addictive as it releases the dopamine (feel-good) chemical in the brain, even though your skin does not love it.
Final thoughts:
It is obvious to get the urge to pop the pimple. However, it is important to know the causes and risk factors associated with it. If popped the wrong way, it can lead to acne scars, inflammation, redness, and even worse - more breakouts due to the infection. If you think you must pop the pimple, wait till the pimple is ready.
Follow proper steps, be gentle, and squeeze it while considering cleanliness and hygiene. Best- if you use acne spot treatment solution. It will not only heal the current pimples, but also prevent new pimples from occurring as these solutions fight acne-causing bacteria and reduce the chance of forming new pimples.
