When a pimple shows up with a white head, the urge to squeeze it can feel impossible to resist. But skin specialists say the smartest move is to leave it alone. Popping may bring quick relief, yet it can set off a chain of problems that make your skin look worse for longer.
A pimple is a small pocket of oil and bacteria trapped beneath the skin. Your skin contains oil-producing glands called sebaceous glands, and they are most plentiful on the face and scalp. Their oil travels up through the pores to keep your skin and hair lubricated and waterproof.
Trouble starts when dead skin cells and bacteria slip into a pore and block it. The oil has nowhere to go, so it keeps building up around the gland like a water balloon being slowly filled. As the pressure grows, it pushes against the surface of the skin, causing the redness, swelling and soreness you can see and feel.
Why Popping Makes Things Worse
Squeezing a pimple may ease the pain for a moment, but it does not solve the underlying problem. Melbourne dermatologist Michelle Rodriguez of St Vincent’s Hospital explains that pressing on a pimple can push its contents deeper into the surrounding skin, which can make the problem worse.
Here is what else can happen when you pop one:
– Infection: Forcing the contents out can spread bacteria to nearby skin, which may lead to new pimples.
– Dark marks: The area can temporarily darken after being squeezed.
– More irritation: Skin that is already inflamed becomes even more irritated when it is pinched and pressed.
– Scarring: If the inflammation becomes severe enough, it can leave a lasting scar.
Acne is the most common skin condition, according to the National Institutes of Health. Around 80 percent of people between the ages of 11 and 30 deal with occasional breakouts, so a stubborn pimple is something almost everyone has faced.
The Best Way to Deal With a Pimple
The most effective approach is also the simplest: be patient. If you can resist the urge to squeeze, most pimples clear up on their own within about a week, usually without leaving a scar. Keep your hands off your face, and give your skin the time it needs to heal naturally.
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