If you ever pop pimples, stop scrolling. Personally, I’m very acne prone. I can sleep wrong and cause a breakout across my face that haunts me for seven business days. Over the years, I’ve been told many different and conflicting things about how to handle those pesky pimples, specifically if I should or should not pop them.
Pimples at their most basic level are an immune response. A mixture of bacteria, body oil, dead skin cells, and white blood cells build up in hair follicles and cause little blockages. These little blockages create an environment where skin bacteria, like propionibacterium acnes, begin to grow. This bacteria triggers the immune system to attack, leading to excess inflammation that presents as redness and swelling.
Because of this inflammation and angry immune system, the last thing that you want to do is cause MORE inflammation and MORE immune system response. Popping your pimple can damage the sensitive tissue around the pore, leading to more swelling and redness. It also increases the risks of infection and can spread the bacteria into other areas. The process of pimple popping is also likely to damage blood vessels, leading to bleeding and bruising, and can even cause scarring.
Popping pimples is definitely not recommended to defeat the junk in your pores. Instead it’s best to use a warm compress to allow the infection to drain naturally, use cold compress to decrease inflammation, and avoid touching or picking at your skin. The number one thing you can do to prevent and heal acne breakouts is to maintain a good skincare routine of washing, exfoliating, and moisturizing. Not sure which skincare products are best for your skin type? Gingerly Snapped offers a Face Care Mini Bundle with sample sizes perfect for testing!