About Pimples
Pimples are a common problem for most teenagers and a good number of adults. Sometimes they are whiteheads, some are blackheads, but all of them are annoying.
Most people are content to let the pimple run its course without wanting to pop it, but there are many people out there who absolutely have to pop pimples and blackheads whenever they get one.
Dermatologists highly suggest that you do not pop any pimples, and simply let them run their course.
Most people are not aware that if you pop a pimple you run the risk of putting more bacteria into the pimple, thus resulting in a larger, more infected pimple than you had to begin with.
By letting the pimple decrease and go away on its own, you are helping to prevent yourself from getting more pimples in the same area and also preventing the current pimple from becoming infected.
But what if you just cannot resist the temptation to pop the pimple?
Dermatologists suggest that you consult with them for pimple popping before you attempt to do it yourself.
However, if you cannot control the urge, there are some ways for you to pop the pimple without doing more damage.
While they do not recommend that you pop every pimple you have, these steps could help you to get rid of pimples that are larger than average or cause discomfort.
Readiness
The number one tip dermatologists give is to wait until the pimple is ready to be popped. If you try to pop it before it is completely ready, you run the risk of pushing the bacteria into your skin even further which can create a larger, infected pimple.
You will know that the pimple is ready to be released by the completely white, firm top. If your pimple has this white top, you are cleared for popping. If your pimple does not have this white top, leave it alone for a few days and keep an eye on it.
Cleanliness
Before you begin any type of popping, make sure that your hands are washed and sanitized. This will help to prevent any bacteria you may have on your hands from entering the pimple once you begin to pop it.
It is also suggested that you use a fingernail brush to get underneath your nails to remove any grit or grime that may be hiding.
Using the Right Tools
Now you may be thinking, tools? What do I need tools for?
Pimple popping the correct way is not as simple as it may seem, and this is why dermatologists would like to see more people leaving the pimples alone while they run their course.
There are a few tools that you will need to complete the pimple popping process: a straight pin, a lighter or match, and either rubbing alcohol or an alcohol pad.
You may think this seems a little excessive for popping a simple zit, but in reality taking this process seriously could prevent you from getting more pimples in that area and keep you from having a large, infected zit pop up.
After you have cleaned and sterilized your hands, you will need to sterilize your straight pin. You can accomplish this by using the match or a lighter and passing the pin through the open flame a few times.
The heat from the flame will sterilize the pin and get rid of any bacteria or germs that may have been lingering on the pin.
Once the pin has cooled off, you will want to use the alcohol on it. Make sure that you put the alcohol on the pin and on your fingers as well. You want to treat this as a sterile environment.
Protective Gear
After you have sterilized your equipment, you will want to make sure you have on the proper gear for this.
If you do not have any medical gloves at the ready, you can simply wrap any fingers that will be touching the pimple in a clean tissue. This will help to keep any missed bacteria on your hands away from the open pimple.
Ready to Pop
After you have completed the first four steps, you are ready to pop that pimple. Using your straight pin, you will want to poke the very top of the white part of the pimple.
Once you have pierced the top of the pimple, you will need to extract the pus from inside. Using your fingers that are wrapped in gloves or tissues, gently push around the pimple. Do not push on the pimple directly.
If your pimple is completely ready, you will see pus begin to rise out of the pimple. However, if you have popped too early, nothing will begin coming out, or it will come out slowly.
If this is the case, you need to stop pushing around the pimple and let it be. Once the pus is completely out, and when you push you do not see any more coming out, then you have gotten all of the pus and the pimple should be slightly deflated in appearance.
Clean-Up
Even though you have successfully removed all of the pus from your pimple, you are still at risk of it becoming infected.
This is why the last step is probably the most important step in the entire process. Taking another alcohol pad, or more rubbing alcohol, you will need to sterilize the actual pimple that is left.
Using the alcohol, rub the pimple and the area around it to help kill and keep out any bacteria or germs that may be lurking nearby.
While this process seems to be very lengthy and is more than likely something you have never tried before when it comes to popping pimples, it is the second best way to ensure that you will not have an infected pimple on your hands.
While going to the dermatologist is the ideal way to remove any pesky pimples, this process would do in a pinch if you absolutely needed to get rid of a pimple.
If it is not important that you remove a pimple immediately, let it run its course. Most pimples disappear on their own in three to seven days.
