Stop Picking Your Acne! Why Popping and Picking is So Bad for Your Skin
As tempting as it can be, it is important to avoid popping pimples and picking at your skin when you break out. Not only does picking your acne cause it to stick around longer (due to increased inflammation on the skin), but Dr. Schweiger explains that, “Picking at or popping pimples, what we often refer to as bathroom surgery, leads to more inflammation on the skin. This results in the acne sticking around for longer, but also may increase the likelihood of post-inflammatory changes, such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and acne scarring.”
So, what can you do instead of popping your pimples? There are a few options for at-home treatments to get rid of your pimple quickly:
- Visit your dermatologist for a cortisone injection. This tiny anti-inflammatory shot can flatten out pimples within 24-48 hours. At Clear Clinic, we leave openings for last minute cortisone shots every day.
- Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are both available in OTC formulations, and can be applied twice a day to pimples as they come up. These medications help to kill acne-causing bacteria and clear out clogged pores respectively, and are easily found at any drugstore.
The bottom line is, rather than performing bathroom surgery, speak to your dermatologist about the best option for getting rid of your pimples without popping or picking.
