{"id":111,"date":"2016-01-13T11:32:56","date_gmt":"2016-01-13T11:32:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.foreo.com\/mysa\/?p=111"},"modified":"2024-04-22T13:47:21","modified_gmt":"2024-04-22T11:47:21","slug":"everything-you-need-know-about-popping-pimples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.foreo.com\/mysa\/everything-you-need-know-about-popping-pimples\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Popping Pimples"},"content":{"rendered":"

You wake up, roll out of bed, and make your way into the bathroom, only to discover that somehow your face has grown an unsightly, white-tipped pimple. But beyond the negative impact that pimples can have on the way you look, they can be downright uncomfortable as well. Swollen, puffy, and sore, these miserable little pustules can come out of nowhere and completely ruin your day<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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And even though real beauty has almost nothing to do with appearance (despite what movies, television, fashion magazines, and advertisements may claim), having a massive zit (or zits<\/em>) taking up all of the best real estate on your face has a way of negatively impacting a person\u2019s self-esteem<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

What Is a Pimple?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Although pimples may seem as though they just magically and horrifically appear out of thin air, the reality is that pimples follow a very specific lifecycle<\/strong>. You see, across the entire surface of your body, you have tiny openings in your skin called \u2018pores.\u2019 There are two kinds of pores<\/strong>, and they serve different (but similar) functions.<\/p>\n

Sweat gland pores<\/strong> produce perspiration across the surface of the body to help regulate internal temperature<\/strong>, while sebaceous gland pores<\/strong> produce a different mixture of liquid fats and proteins called sebum, which coats the skin in a protective layer known as hydrolipidic film<\/strong> that helps waterproof and protect it from bacteria. Sebaceous glands also house hair follicles, which help guide the sebum oil to the surface. Unfortunately, sebum doesn\u2019t always make it all of the way out. Sometimes, dead skin cells from the skin\u2019s surface become trapped down inside the pore<\/strong> and mix with bacteria and sebum to create a \u2018plug.\u2019 New sebum is unable to leave the pore, and when this happens, the clogged pore begins to swell.<\/p>\n

Clogged pores can produce several different kinds of pimples and skin irritations<\/strong>, but we\u2019re going to focus on pimples\u2014whiteheads and blackheads. Whiteheads<\/strong> are clogged pores that have almost completely closed. The trapped plug then pushes against the closed opening, filling with pus, and creating the light-colored tip that gives whiteheads their names. Blackheads<\/strong> are clogged pores whose openings remain open to the outside air. The plug oxidizes, hardens, and turns dark in color. Blackhead pimples don\u2019t generally become as swollen as whiteheads do.<\/p>\n

Pimples carry with them a certain stigma of uncleanliness, but the fact is that most acne outbreaks are a product of hormonal changes within the body, rather than as a result of poor hygiene. And while the hormonal changes that play a large part in pimple formation are most prevalent in teenagers, acne among adults is also common<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

So, when faced with the appearance of a new and terrible pimple on the one part of your body most likely to be seen by everyone you meet, what do you do?<\/p>\n

Do you pop it? Of course you pop it. However, you probably shouldn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

The Dangers of Pimple Popping<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are a number of potential problems that come from popping pimples. For one thing, it\u2019s usually not a very sanitary process, and can introduce new bacteria to already damaged tissue, possibly leading to infection. For another thing, any ejected pus, sebum, bacteria, or grime can easily find its way down into other pores, leading to further breakouts<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

At the same time, the act of popping is very destructive, and can damage sensitive tissue in ways that the pimple itself would not have, and if done incorrectly, the sebum plug may be only partially removed, or worse, forced further down into the pore where it can cause even worse damage. Likewise, popped pimples have a tendency to leave scars behind after healing<\/strong>. The real kicker is that once a pimple has been popped, the pore itself remains irritated and swollen, and due to the additional damage that comes as a result of being forcefully popped, it will likely remain so for even longer than it would have if you had left the pimple alone.<\/p>\n

The point we\u2019re trying to make is this: Don\u2019t pop your pimples. If you have a single pimple every now and then, leave it be and let it run its course (most pimples will fade and disappear within 3\u20137 days). If you suffer from constant, uncomfortable acne, then reexamine your cleansing process and see a dermatologist<\/strong> who can help you create a targeted, personalized plan.<\/p>\n

How to Pop a Pimple the Right Way<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Despite the cautions of the previous section, we understand that there are simply times when you won\u2019t feel like leaving the house with a marble-sized lump poking out from your cheek, and no matter how much we warn you not to, you\u2019re going to pop it. So, in an effort to minimize the damage, we\u2019d like to share with you our step-by-step pimple popping process<\/strong> (this guide is for dealing with whitehead pimples; for information on how to get rid of blackheads, click here<\/a>):<\/p>\n

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  1. Pick the right pimples<\/em>.<\/strong> Not all pimples are created equal. Pimples that are far below the surface should never be popped, because you\u2019ll likely do a lot of damage to the tissue between the plug and the surface. Wait until a pimple has a firm, white head before you attempt a pop.<\/li>\n
  2. Wash your hands and face<\/em>.<\/strong> One of the biggest threats that comes from popping pimples is the potential of introducing bacteria to the site<\/strong>. Before you tackle any of your poppable zits, gently (but thoroughly) wash your entire face and hands with antibacterial soap. Certain scrubbing devices that use soft silicone brushes can help clear away any residual bacteria or grime, leaving your face clean and ready for the next step<\/strong>. Use warm water when washing your hands, and be sure to clean underneath your fingernails. You may also wish to wear latex gloves, for added protection.<\/li>\n
  3. Sterilize a needle<\/em>.<\/strong> Although it may be tempting to pop the pimple by squeezing it, it is much safer to lance it with a needle, provided that the pimple is close to the surface. Locate a thin needle, and then sterilize it. Do this by carefully washing the needle with soap and water<\/strong> (to remove any small bits of dirt that might have accumulate on it), and then filling a small cup with rubbing alcohol or bleach. Dip the needle into the solution, and then gently allow any excess chemical to drip off of it, being careful not to get any on your clothing or skin.<\/li>\n
  4. Lance the pimple<\/em>.<\/strong> Position the needle parallel to the surface of your skin, with the point directed at the tip of the whitehead. Gently pierce the tip of the center of the pimple, being careful not to push it through the opposite side of the pimple. This shouldn\u2019t cause any pain, as the skin covering the tip of the pimple should already be dead. If you do experience any pain<\/strong>, this means that the pimple is not yet close enough to the surface to be popped. Discontinue your attempt and allow the pimple to go away on its own<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  5. Remove the needle<\/em>.<\/strong> Slowly pull the needle out from the pimple. In many cases, the pressure from the swollen pimple will automatically begin to push out the pus. Have a small bit of tissue on hand to catch any ejected pus before it can touch the surface of your skin.<\/li>\n
  6. Finish it off<\/em>.<\/strong> Using two clean cotton swabs, apply a small amount of pressure to either side of the white tip of the zit. Move the cotton swabs a few times so that you are not applying too much pressure to one single area. The remaining pus should be pushed out from the pimple. Continue with this process until only a clear fluid is being released from the pimple. If the pus doesn\u2019t come out easily, discontinue your attempt<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  7. Clean up<\/em>.<\/strong> After you\u2019ve popped the pimple, wash your face and hands a second time with antibacterial soap, and then apply a small amount of alcohol<\/strong> to the remains of the blemish\u2014this will help keep bacteria from repopulating it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Popping on the go<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    We really can\u2019t stress this enough: Quickly popping a pimple without taking the proper precautions can easily lead to scarring, breakouts, and infection. If you absolutely must pop a pimple quickly, cover your fingers with tissue paper, and be careful not to put too much pressure on the area around the pimple for any prolonged period of time<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Instead, move your fingers to different spots as you squeeze to minimize damage. That having been said, squeezing a pimple in order to pop it will<\/em> damage your skin, so we don\u2019t recommend it under any circumstances.<\/p>\n

    Post-Pop Recovery<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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    Whether you did it the right way or not, once you\u2019ve popped the pimple, you have a few steps that you need to take to ensure that you leave your face in the right condition to heal properly. Here are some tips to help you get back on the right track:<\/p>\n