Damage control: Zit-popping without making a mess
Popping a pimple might as well be the greatest temptation during a breakout episode to end all blemish woes. Deep down, we should know better that it's not the right thing to do. But hey, zits happen and are asking for that desperate squeeze. You can't help but give it a little pinch. You know what they say: old habits die hard. Enraged, the next thing you know is that ugly, tiny monster has exploded and you just want it healed … fast!
Believe it or not, popping your pimple is not something to be ashamed of, but only if you're doing it right. Yes, there's actually a proper way of getting rid of zits without the nasty aftermath.
Here's the complete guide for your next popping-pimple action …show more content…
Know when to pop.
You were often told to leave your pimples alone. Well, they're wrong.
Pimples vary in appearance and in each stage is an indication of its readiness. You might want to assess what type of blemish it is since pimples likely come and go every week.
Most of the time, we get a red (sometimes purple), bump-ish pimple. It's called a blind zit, and you better not aggravate it by squeezing since it's still in its earliest form deep in the layers of the skin. Inflammation is high during this period and popping it might cause skin breakage. It's also best to leave it alone when it's a bright, shiny red. Give it a day to become more swollen until it develops a whitehead (which doctors refer to as the "pustule"). And when the white head is visible enough, it's time to take action.
2. Cleanse, exfoliate, and steam.
Before you start, make sure that your face is fresh and clean by applying cleanser with warm water. Pat dry with a washcloth to get rid of dead skin cells. This will make extracting the whitehead easier now that it's clearer and more visible.
Note: Extracting a pimple while your face is wet can actually cause more skin damage. Facial skin becomes more vulnerable to infection when it's exposed to
Popping a pimple might as well be the greatest temptation during a breakout episode to end all blemish woes. Deep down, we should know better that it's not the right thing to do. But hey, zits happen and are asking for that desperate squeeze. You can't help but give it a little pinch. You know what they say: old habits die hard. Enraged, the next thing you know is that ugly, tiny monster has exploded and you just want it healed … fast!
Believe it or not, popping your pimple is not something to be ashamed of, but only if you're doing it right. Yes, there's actually a proper way of getting rid of zits without the nasty aftermath.
Here's the complete guide for your next popping-pimple action …show more content…
Know when to pop.
You were often told to leave your pimples alone. Well, they're wrong.
Pimples vary in appearance and in each stage is an indication of its readiness. You might want to assess what type of blemish it is since pimples likely come and go every week.
Most of the time, we get a red (sometimes purple), bump-ish pimple. It's called a blind zit, and you better not aggravate it by squeezing since it's still in its earliest form deep in the layers of the skin. Inflammation is high during this period and popping it might cause skin breakage. It's also best to leave it alone when it's a bright, shiny red. Give it a day to become more swollen until it develops a whitehead (which doctors refer to as the "pustule"). And when the white head is visible enough, it's time to take action.
2. Cleanse, exfoliate, and steam.
Before you start, make sure that your face is fresh and clean by applying cleanser with warm water. Pat dry with a washcloth to get rid of dead skin cells. This will make extracting the whitehead easier now that it's clearer and more visible.
Note: Extracting a pimple while your face is wet can actually cause more skin damage. Facial skin becomes more vulnerable to infection when it's exposed to