to pop or not to pop? the answer to your pimple problems
You look in the mirror and it’s staring you right in the face, plain as day: you’ve got a pimple. Or two pimples. Or a bunch of pimples. And all you can think about is how satisfying it would be to pinch and squeeze them ‘til they pop. It happens to everyone. S0, the question remains: to pop or not to pop your pimples?!
Well, slow down, because there is a right way and a wrong way to pop your pimples and if you do it the wrong way, things can go very wrong for your face.
What are the different types of pimples?
The most important thing to remember is NEVER just randomly look in the mirror and start popping. To make sure that you protect your skin and pop your pimples in the safest way possible you have to do some prep. But before that, you need to know what kinds of pimples you’re trying to pop. There are dark or black looking spots that most people call blackheads, which are a result of oil and dirt clogging your pores. They are usually found in your T zone: the area on your face that has the most oil and includes the forehead, nose, and chin. The other most common type of pimple is the pustule, these are the red bumps usually filled with a white puss at the head. Many refer to these as whiteheads.
How do I pop blackheads?
If you are wondering if you can or should pop your blackhead pimples the answer is yes. But, if you are going to do it, you have to do it right. First, take a hot shower or sit with a hot, damp towel on your face for 5-10 minutes. This will open up your pores and bring pimples to the surface to help prevent skin damage or marks that come from digging for them. Wash your hands to make sure they are clean and free of bacteria. Then place one index finger on one side of the pimple and, using the other, push down and then up on the other side. Repeat this motion until the contents of the blackhead have been expelled from the skin.
What about pustules?
Popping pustules, although it may look simple, can easily do more harm than good if done the wrong way. To pop the pustules, follow the same instructions that you would for blackheads, but make sure that you get all of the puss out of the pore, because if you don’t, it can spread to the tissue below and cause more acne. Once you get rid of all that icky puss, it is equally as important to make sure you don’t accidentally get it on other parts of your face because it is an infection and will create more pimples wherever it is left. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after doing any pimple popping to help avoid this.
Pimples are a very stressful, and very normal, part of life at almost any age and particularly during puberty. So if you want to take getting rid of some of these blemishes into your own hands (literally) make sure you follow the proper steps to protect your skin + prevent unnecessary future breakouts. Also, use our acne-fighting, not-drying face wash. That will help too 🙂