No, you should not press or pop your acne.
Dermatologists strongly advise against attempting to pop or extract your own acne. Doing so can lead to several negative consequences that can worsen the condition.
Why You Shouldn't Pop Acne
- Increased Inflammation: Squeezing a pimple forces bacteria, pus, and debris deeper into the skin, which can exacerbate inflammation and redness.
- Risk of Infection: Popping acne creates an open wound, making it susceptible to bacterial infection, potentially leading to more severe breakouts and scarring.
- Scarring: Manipulating a pimple can cause damage to the skin tissue, increasing the likelihood of permanent scarring, which is often difficult to treat.
- Delayed Healing: Instead of facilitating healing, popping acne can actually delay the process as your skin works harder to repair the damage caused.
What You Should Do Instead
Instead of popping your acne, consider these safer and more effective approaches:
- Professional Extraction: A dermatologist can safely extract acne using sterile instruments. They are trained to do this without causing significant trauma to the skin.
- Topical Treatments: Over-the-counter and prescription topical treatments, such as those containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, can effectively target and reduce acne.
- Oral Medications: If topical treatments aren’t sufficient, a dermatologist might prescribe oral medications to manage severe or widespread acne.
- Cortisone Injections: For large, inflamed pimples, a dermatologist can administer a cortisone injection to help shrink the lesion quickly. This is a much safer option than squeezing it.
Here is a summary in a table for clarity:
| Action | Recommended? | Potential Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Squeezing/Popping Acne | No | Increased inflammation, infection, scarring, delayed healing |
| Professional Extraction | Yes | Safe removal of acne with minimal damage |
| Topical Treatments | Yes | Reduced acne without damaging the skin |
| Oral Medications | Yes | Management of severe acne |
| Cortisone Injections | Yes | Rapid reduction of inflammation for large pimples |
Remember, dermatologists typically recommend against popping acne at home. According to the reference, “Dermatologists generally do not recommend that people try to pop or extract their acne". They have the expertise and tools to manage acne safely and effectively.
