No!
Resist the urge and leave your skin alone. Popping pimples can backfire, and cause scars, hyperpigmentation and infection.
Cause
Pimples form when the hair follicle gets clogged with sebum (oil), dead cells, and bacteria.
This leads to inflammation and swelling of the pore and the gland that produces the sebum.
Pus forms in the area, leading to a pimple.
It can be tempting to pop a pimple, but trying to pop one can make the breakout worse or lead to scarring and hyperpigmentation.
figure 1
Though a little bit of pus comes out of the pimple, more of it is pushed deeper into the skin.
This can make the pimple worse or cause more pimples.
It can also lead to hyperpigmentation once the swelling goes away.
figure 2
Though a pimple can seem like a small bump on the surface of the skin, most of it is below the surface in the hair follicle.
figure 3
Hear Dr. Chesahna Kindred of the Kindred Hair and Skin Center share more on how to best treat pimples.
Care Instructions
Treatment
Many of the ways you prevent pimples can also help you manage them. For instance, washing your face with mild soap in the morning and at night, limiting sun exposure, drinking lots of water, avoiding touching your face, eating right, reducing stress, and not popping pimples may help contain them and reduce how long they stay around.
If you have bad acne despite taking steps to prevent it, you may need a prescription-strength treatment such as:
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topical retinoids (derived from vitamin A) to help prevent clogged pores
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oral contraceptives or antiandrogen agents to reduce hormones that increase sebum production
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oral isotretinoin (Accutane), a retinoid that helps prevent clogged pores, and reduces sebum production, inflammation, and skin bacteria
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Prescription-strength treatments may cause serious side effects. Your dermatologist can help you weigh the pros and cons and determine which treatment is right for you.