Let’s talk about breakouts. We all get them, they’re never welcome, and believe us when we say we understand the intense, irresistible urge to pick, play with or pop them. Unpleasant, but universal. But popping a pimple can do far more harm than good, and picking or even lightly touching the area will spread bacteria and encourage more to emerge. The best way to deal with these is to have a professional extraction performed however that is not always possible. Fortunately, there is a way to extract pimples at home safely and reduce the potential for damage:
Identify what kind of a blemish it is
The first step is to identify whether the pimple is ready for removal. There are two types of blemishes; whiteheads and cysts. Whiteheads are good to go: their shape is raised to a point or a white or yellow ‘head’ – hence the name. Cysts on the other hand are not ready and should not be touched. Attempts to pop cysts will just cause redness and draw attention to the area, making them more difficult to cover. Instead, treat cysts by dabbing AHA and BHA exfoliants to the area. This will encourage the cysts to come to a (pop-able!) head and speed up the healing process.
Clean the area thoroughly
This step is very important! In order to avoid spreading bacteria, remove your make-up and wash your hands and face thoroughly before extracting any pimples.
Pull, don’t squeeze
The key is to be very gentle. The best way to pop a pimple is to lightly pull the skin on either side of the ‘head’ and if it’s ready, it will break and ooze (satisfying!) The more pressure you have to apply, the less likely it is that the pimple is ready and the more likely you are to create a scar. In this case, dab a little AHA or BHA solution and be patient until it’s ready.
Don’t forget the right aftercare
The right aftercare is essential! Dab the area dry with a clean cotton pad and either apply an antibacterial lotion or an Acne Patch to protect the area from infection. It’s also important to make sure you don’t skip the sunscreen, as UV exposure will cause any red marks to darken and scar.
Relax!
It’s just a pimple, don’t let it ruin your day!
