Acne: To Pop or Not to Pop?
So, your face is covered with acne and pimples. For many teenagers, this is a rite of passage. Acne can also be caused by certain medications, and can persist into adulthood. Pimples, pustules, and other unwanted acne lesions can be embarrassing, and it can seem as if they will never go away.
There's a huge temptation to pop acne pimples. Should you?
The urge can be nearly impossible to resist, but here's some things you should consider:
You Probably Aren't Popping a Pimple Correctly
There's a good reason why we pop pimples. They stress us out, they look ugly, and for some people, the tight feeling can be just plain infuriating. But, if you do it wrong, you can push bacteria deeper into your skin and cause an infection. If you absolutely can't resist, make sure your face is clean, your fingernails trimmed, and that you pop it with a sterile pin rather than squeezing it. Be sure to role Kleenex or TP around your fingers before you make that gratifying squeeze. Yeah, that's not how any of us do it, but that’s the safest way to do it yourself.
But really, you shouldn't pop pimples yourself. You should avoid popping your pimples for a variety of reasons.
Popping a Pimple Can Have Long-Term Consequences
As already mentioned, popping a pimple can push bacteria deeper under your skin and give you an infection. But other consequences can be even more severe. Popping your pimples can result in far worse acne scarring. It's almost guaranteed to aggravate your acne and may even make it painful. You're increasing inflammation, which just makes everything worse. In rare cases, if you pop a pimple in the area between your nose and mouth, you can get seriously ill. Bacteria can end up in your brain. This is very rare, but what you can be sure of is that if you pop a pimple it will stick around longer.
What Should You Do Instead?
If you have a pimple or pustule that is driving you nuts, there's a couple of things you can try that will sometimes make it pop on its own. The first is to apply a warm compress. Just take a washcloth, soak it in warm water, and hold it over the pimple for three to five minutes. You may want to repeat this a couple of times.
If that doesn't work, try an acne spot treatment. Your dermatologist may have a specific recommendation for over the counter treatments, but basically you want salicylic acid as the active ingredient. Many of these treatments also have benzoyl peroxide, which is a good treatment for acne, but you should be careful with benzoyl peroxide as it can bleach and damage your clothes.
Use a small amount of the spot treatment a couple of times a day. No more than that.
What Can Your Dermatologist Do?
If these home remedies and over-the-counter treatments aren't working, it's time to talk to your dermatologist. Your dermatologist might recommend a number of treatments. These include:
Retinoids and similar drugs. These drugs prevent your hair follicles from becoming clogged, which reduces the development of pimples in the first place.
Salicylic acid treatments, as previously mentioned. Azelaic acid is also used (azelaic acid is a better option for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding).
Dapsone, which is a gel you use for inflammatory acne.
Oral antibiotics if you have heavy inflammation. This is generally a short course that may be repeated.
Oral contraceptives can reduce acne in adult women. Specifically, these are "combined" oral contraceptives that include Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Loryna.
Spironolactone, which is an anti-androgen agent. This is prescribed only to girls and women, as it can have a de-virilizing effect on boys.
Isotretinoin, an effective oral medication that is prescribed for acne that doesn't respond to any other treatment. It's very effective, but can have several side effects, so your dermatologist has to check your blood monthly, and you have to sign up for a government program called, “I-pledge.”
Laser treatment. This is a quick in-office procedure that reduces acne if done correctly. Make sure your dermatologist has experience with this treatment, as there's some argument about the best way to do it.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). This is a treatment that is known to reduce scarring from acne and decrease lesions. It reduces existing lesions and helps prevent new ones, and has few side effects.
Blue light therapy. Basically, the bacteria that causes acne does not like blue light. Generally, this is combined with other treatments, as it generally doesn't clear up acne on its own. However, it does significantly reduce acne with few side effects.
Acne extraction. If you have a really bad pimple and nothing else works, dermatologists may "extract" your acne. Which means they pop your pimple. They will also use a corticosteroid injection to flatten the pustule.
What Else Should You Do?
There are a few other things that your dermatologist would recommend. You should wash your face twice a day, without harsh scrubbing, and cut back on foods high in sugar and carbohydrates, such as cookies, cakes, and pies. Best to also cut down dairy. Oh, and wear sunscreen, which you should be wearing anyway. Sunburns can make your acne worse. Make sure that your skincare products are non-comedogenic, and don't add oil to your skin.
You should also do your best to reduce and manage stress. Stress worsens acne in those already prone to it, and has other effects on your health. Consider meditation or exercise as ways to reduce your stress levels and thus your breakouts.
If you have acne that isn't responding to simple treatments, then talk to a dermatologist. They can help you with your stubborn acne. Above all, though, do your best not to pop those pimples. You will only exacerbate your current acne and risk long-term scarring that you don't want on your face!