Popping Zits: Playing with Fire?
Popping Zits: Playing with Fire? Everyone knows that a zit can ruin a seemingly perfect day. But do you know that popping zits can be like playing with fire? Check this video out for tips on minimizing the appearance of your zits and blemishes.
Expert: Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Director of Dermatologic Research, Associate Residency Program Director, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Transcript
It’s the morning of your class presentation and you’ve got a DISTRACTING pimple on your face. STOP. Don’t pop it yet! Listen to the words of pretty much every dermatologist out there and Put. Your. Fingers. DOWN.
Sure, closed comedones-or whiteheads, as we call them-are ugly, but picking a zit can make it stick around your face MUCH longer. That’s because dirt from your fingers can make its way into your pimple, causing a bacterial infection. Plus, picking at your skin can force a temporary pimple to turn into a permanent scar.
So to properly banish a blemish, wash with a cleanser containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. For double the dosage, you can also use an acne treatment with the same ingredient listed, as both of these agents can kill the bacteria that cause acne, and even cut down on the redness.
Feeling particularly oily? Cut down on the sheen by using a gentle astringent post-washing. If oil keeps up, try a glycolic-acid mask. This will gently exfoliate the outermost, and the oiliest, layer of skin. While you wait for your pimple to pass, minimize its appearance by applying redness reducing eyedrops to the area.
So if you STILL can’t wait it out, there are safer, smarter ways to pop a zit than just digging in with your bare fingers. For starters, wash your face and hands with warm water and soap. Then, wet a washcloth with warm water and hold it to the affected area for 30 seconds. Grab two cotton swabs or tissues, and use them to gently press on either side of the pimple in a down and in motion. The zit should pop with little effort. If it doesn’t, STOP! Your pimple simply isn’t ready, and if you persist, you could be left with an unsightly memento of your ill-fated attempt. After popping, apply a dab of hydrocortisone cream before going hands-off again. Remember though, poppers never prosper.
If you are concerned about the severity of your acne or the potential of scarring, see your dermatologist for a PROFESSIONAL evaluation and treatment.
Last Modified: 2012-11-17
Category: Health and Nutrition, Videos
