Laurie’s concern: “I have always been told that it’s unhealthy and potentially damaging to squeeze my own zits. I’m not Ivanka Trump and I can’t afford to hire people to squeeze my pimples on a regular basis. Am I really damaging my skin FOREVER if I pop a pimple? Am I any less qualified to pick at my zits than an esthetician? It doesn’t seem like rocket science to me.”
The Right Brain’s reply:
Our suggestion is to play the Lotto. When you win, you’ll be able to hire pimple poppers like the rest of us. In fact, the Left Brain and I use hired help to pop pimples, file warts and, on occasion, lance boils. That’s just our way of contributing to the capitalistic culture of cosmetics.
But seriously, by squeezing your own zits you might make them worse. According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, you should NOT pick, scratch, pop, or squeeze pimples yourself because you`ll get more redness, swelling, inflammation, and possible scarring. (If you want to learn more about the causes and effects of acne, read our previous posts.)
But, if you INSIST on throwing caution to the winds and picking those pus pockets yourself, here are 7 easy steps to popping your own pimples (courtesy of Acne.org.)
1. Take a warm shower or bath to soften your skin.
2. Wash your face and remove all makeup. (Here’s the best way to do that.)
3. Wash your hands to prevent spreading germs and infecting the pimple.
4. Sterilize a needle…(a dirty needle will cause an infection and maybe a bigger pimple).
5. Gently prick the tip of the pimple with the needle.
6. Take a clean tissue or piece of toilet paper and wrap it around your index fingers.
7. Gently apply pressure to the sides of the pimple to ease out the pus. Stop when blood or clear fluid comes out.
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The Cynical Girl Says:
I might have to win the lotto because that is six steps too many for me.
Back in the old days, we used to walk up hill both ways to school and just SQUEEZE OUR ZITS.
Geez louise!
Sarah Bellum Says:
I’m with you, Oh Cynical Chick! But stay tuned, I’m prepping a review of one of those electronic zit zappers that the Right Brain gave to me.
Ninjarina Says:
Instead of using the toilet paper + fingers approach which can be tricky, I say invest in a blemish tool (I have one from sephora, the one w/o the lance). They’re made of stainless steel and the one thing I love MOST about them is that they apply EVEN and LOCALISED pressure to the offending zit. I have nails that are just long/sharp enough to break the skin and possibly introduce more bacteria so I am never without my blemish tool.
Danita Says:
Hey…I was thinking about one of those zit zappers does it really work. I’d like to know before I pay nearly $200 for one. Be honest
cenovis Says:
Second what Ninjarina said. So many people use their nails and cause more damage than they need to. Blemish tools work surprisingly well for blackheads, it’s not just a gimmick. Too bad I only heard of them when I was past my teenage prime, but luckily I have only suffered one or two scars.