Popping Pimples: When and How to Do it Safely?

Very few things are as incredibly tempting as popping a pimple under the surface of your skin. Many people think it makes sense, after all, it takes some days for a pimple to heal on its own, and who wants to wait when he/she can just squeeze it and feel better in a matter of seconds.

It may be hard to believe, but the truth is that it is not good to pop a pimple. When you pop a pimple, you interfere with the natural healing mechanism of your skin. You increase your risk for infection and scarring, and you’ll agree that an infection or tons of scars are far worse than a temporary skin blemish. Of course, any esthetician or a skin care professional will tell you that popping a pimple should be a last resort – and you should avoid it as much as possible.

You see, the truth is that some types of pustules and pimples should never be popped. If there’s a blackhead or a whitehead that is making you uncomfortable and you feel you’ve got to take it out, this article will show you how to do it to reduce the risks involved.

Some options that are better than pimple popping

You must consider these alternatives before popping your pimples:

• Go for an extraction. Licensed estheticians or skin care professionals are trained to remove a pimple with specialized tools in a sterile setting. An extraction procedure reduces the risk of bacterial reinfection.
• A hot compress helps. Yes! A hot compress soothes the pain of an inflamed pimple. When you apply heat to your skin, the pores open up and the pimple can then open and release its contents.
• An over-the-counter treatment. Several over-the-counter spot treatments can help your pimple to heal faster. Many of these products contain active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, and salicylic acid. Health experts recommend starting with a product with a low concentration of benzoyl peroxide.
• At-home spot treatment. Proponents of at-home treatments swear by the following topical remedies for inflamed pimples:
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Tea tree oil
• Baking soda charcoal masks

How to pop a pimple safely

There’s no safer way to get rid of a pimple than wait it out. It is important to note that pimples enclose bacteria that is trapped beneath the layers of your skin. When you pop a pimple, you release those bacteria onto your face. Your skin is better designed to heal a pimple than you do.

If you must pop a pimple, follow the guidelines below. They will be safer for you:

 Extracting a whitehead safely

These guidelines apply to the extraction of large whitehead pimples. A whitehead pimple is one with visible white pus inside a trapped pore. Before popping a whitehead, you should try an over-the-counter medication containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. These active ingredients have anti-inflammatory properties and might ease the popping process.

• Wash your hands well before commencing the extraction process. This will prevent the cross-infection of the pimple with the bacteria on your hands.
• Place some rubbing alcohol on a new sewing needle. This process sterilizes the needle.
• Insert the needle with great care at an angle into the clearest part of the pimple. If you do this the right way, you will not draw blood or feel any pain.
• Drain your pimple using a gauze strip or a cotton ball. Do not push the pus out of the pimple. Instead, hold your skin taut. This will make other layers of your skin drain out the pimple.
• Sterilize your skin (the pimple area) with an antimicrobial drying agent, such as witch hazel.

Extracting a blackhead safely

Blackheads are formed when the bacteria and pus inside of a pimple are exposed to air. Exposing this pimple to air causes it to turn black. Extracting a blackhead may be easier than extracting a whitehead since the pore is open already.

Here’s how to go about it:

• Apply a product that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid on the blackhead. This will loosen the pus or dirt that may have been trapped within.
• Apply some pressure gently on both sides of the blackhead using cotton swabs. Be careful not to press down on the blackhead. The clog within will pop out with ease. If the clog doesn’t pop out, leave it. Do not keep applying the pressure.
• Sterilize the affected area with rubbing alcohol or witch hazel.

When not to pop pimples

It is important to note that not all types of pimples should be popped. Examples include cystic acne, boils, and pimples located deep under your skin surface. If there’s no visible blackhead or whitehead on your pimple, that’s a sign that you may not be able to pop it.

If you try to pop an ‘unripe’ pimple, you’ll expose your skin to irritants and bacteria. Your skin will take longer to heal, you’ll have more pimples, and maybe scar your face permanently.

In conclusion…

There’s no harm in popping a pimple once in a while, at least, as long as you adhere to best practices aimed at preventing infections. However, popping pimples shouldn’t be a habit. What’s more, it should be done in a sterile environment.

If your breakouts are frequent, consult your dermatologist. They will draw a treatment plan that suits your condition. Skincare products, dietary changes, and prescription medication can help reduce the frequency of your flare-ups.

References

Tanghetti, E. A., Kawata, A. K., Daniels, S. R., Yeomans, K., Burk, C. T., & Callender, V. D. (2014). Understanding the burden of adult female acne. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 7(2), 22–30.

Goulden, V., Stables, G. I., & Cunliffe, W. J. (1999). Prevalence of facial acne in adults. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 41(4), 577–580.

Dunn, L. K., O’Neill, J. L., & Feldman, S. R. (2011). Acne in adolescents: quality of life, self-esteem, mood, and psychological disorders. Dermatology online journal, 17(1), 1.

Williams, H. C., Dellavalle, R. P., & Garner, S. (2012). Acne vulgaris. Lancet (London, England), 379(9813), 361–372. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60321-8