If Popping Pimples Is So Bad, Why Do Estheticians Still Do It? A Dermatologist Explains

Everyone has heard the classic caution: “Avoid popping your pimples!”—but if you’ve ever had a facial done by a professional, you know that extractions are frequently a part of the procedure. It brings up a recurring query: why do dermatologists and estheticians occasionally squeeze pimples during a session if doing so at home is so harmful?

Dermatologists have a straightforward rule for the public regarding popping zits: Don’t do it at home! Besides creating infection and permanent scarring, popping your own pimples could even worsen them!

It can be tempting to pop a pimple, as you might believe that doing so will make it disappear right away. But that’s usually not the case. You’re going to empower yourself with knowledge that can save your skin if you’re asking yourself, “Is popping pimples bad?” or “How can I pop a pimple?”

This article will discuss how professional extractions are different from do-it-yourself attempts, what the evidence says about their efficacy, and when consulting a dermatologist is crucial.

Read More: 9 Home Remedies for Acne and Pimples

Why Popping Pimples at Home Is Risky

Pimples, a prevalent type of acne, form as tiny, swollen patches on the skin when clogged pores cause inflammation. Excess oil, dead skin cells, or germs building up in hair follicles are the causes of these blockages. Dietary changes, hormonal fluctuations, and stress can also cause pimples.

In actuality, popping your own pimples carries several hazards. The following are some possible outcomes of targeting that zit.

• Breaking the skin barrier might result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or persistent acne scars.
• You can delay your body’s natural healing process and spread an infection.
• Bacteria that travel from the pus to other pores might cause a severe acne breakout.
• Popping a pimple can push the debris deeper into your skin, leading to more clogged pores, greater visibility of the blemish, and potentially serious inflammation.

These undesirable outcomes could result from popping pimples, which can cause more harm than benefit. Dermatologists provide professional treatments that safely and successfully address the underlying causes of pimples.

A pimple typically heals in 3–7 days if you do nothing. This period can get extended to around two weeks by just popping it! Squeezing that sucker out may seem like a quick treatment, but it really makes the situation worse and prolongs the healing period.

“Not really”, says Lauren Taglia, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at Northwestern Medicine. “But if you must pop, wait until the pimple has been around a few days and has developed a white head, indicating there is pus near the surface. Avoid popping new pimples or those that are red or sore,” she advises.

Why Estheticians and Dermatologists Perform Extractions

Although popping pimples at home is dangerous, extractions done by qualified doctors or estheticians are quite another matter.

Dermatologists use different techniques to physically treat acne. One common method, called acne extraction, involves clearing out blackheads and whiteheads with sterilized instruments.

Dermatologists typically recommend acne extraction when other acne treatments fail to clear the skin. Due to the expense and time involved, it is seldom the first choice.

Dermatologists have a second way to treat a painful deep cyst or nodule of acne besides draining it. A dermatologist administers the corticosteroid injection directly into your lesion. It reduces the likelihood of scarring and facilitates quicker healing.

A dermatologist can treat one miserable, nasty acne lesion or cyst with an injection, but most acne blemishes do not respond to it. Injecting too many corticosteroids can produce unwanted side effects.

But corticosteroids should only be injected by a physician. Your dermatologist may also perform an incision and drainage operation to remove a painful acne cyst, nodule, or huge pimple. It entails opening the blemish with a sterile needle or surgical blade and then extracting the contents.

With the right approach, dermatologists can assist in draining a nodule, cyst, or pimple.

Read More: Can Too Much Biotin Cause Acne? The Surprising Connection

Advantages of Consulting a Professional

There are a few reasons you should see a dermatologist instead of handling acne on your own:

Experience: Dermatologists know more about types of acne and manage skin issues every day.

Individuality: Everyone’s skin is different; therefore, what works for one person may not work for you. A dermatologist will be able to create an individual treatment plan specific to your needs.   

Higher-Grade Products: Sometimes, over-the-counter skincare products are not enough to manage unwanted acne. A dermatologist will be able to recommend higher-grade,

physician-grade, medical-grade products.   

Preventative Methods: Besides treating existing pimples, dermatologists can help create prevention strategies to prevent future breakouts, utilizing lifestyle changes and effective skincare routines.

The Various Kinds of Pimples and Their Reasons for Not Popping

Extraction of acne carries dangers, just like any other procedure. “It is typically safe if performed by a professional,” says Sanusi Umar, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Dr. U Hair and Skin Clinic in Los Angeles. ”There’s a small risk of infection and scarring with whitehead extractions if not performed correctly, but this is rare.” Professionals with the necessary training will not try extractions on inflammatory acne.

There are several types of pimples, and each one requires careful treatment. Since popping any pimple can cause problems, getting professional help is essential.

Whiteheads: Whiteheads are tiny, flesh-colored pimples that develop beneath the epidermis. Their thin layer of skin gives them a whitish or yellowish appearance. When bacteria, oil (sebum), and any dead skin cells become stuck in pores, whiteheads form. Trying to extract whiteheads can push bacteria deeper into the skin, causing a more severe infection.

Blackheads: Blackheads are small skin blemishes that form when the hair follicles become clogged. Blackheads, in contrast to whiteheads, have an exposed surface that oxidizes to black. The main difference between the blackheads and the whiteheads lies in their exposure to the air. More outbreaks may result from bacteria being dispersed throughout your skin by popping blackheads.

Papules: These are tiny, firm lumps that protrude from the epidermis. They don’t contain pus and are typically pink or red. Dermatologists recommend topical acne therapies to treat papules. Squeezing the papules can worsen your problem, causing it to increase the redness and swelling. This action by itself can contribute to the problem by spreading bacteria and furthering your breakout, not to mention you could also end up with some scarring.

Nodules: Nodules are large, painful bumps that you typically see below the skin because of clogged pores, far under the dermis level. These are very severe, hence medical intervention is the best option. If left untreated, nodules can cause deep scarring requiring more extreme dermatological procedures.

Cysts: Cysts are large, pus-filled lesions located far below the epidermis. Cysts can be red or raised, and can sometimes be tender, uncomfortable, or painful. Cysts can carry a high risk of infection and permanent scarring if treated improperly. Draining should always be performed under medical supervision.

Read More: What Causes Milia? Tiny Bumps That Look Like Whiteheads but Aren’t

Alternatives to DIY Pimple Popping

You should schedule a visit with a dermatologist if you frequently find yourself in a situation with pimples. To help maintain clear skin, they can create a personalized maintenance schedule. However, there are efficient methods for controlling sporadic breakouts at home.

Apply Benzoyl Peroxide: The best way to make a zit go away fast is to apply a dab of benzoyl peroxide, which you can buy at a drug store in cream, gel, or patch form, says dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD. It functions by eliminating the microorganisms that irritate and clog pores. You can find concentrations available between 2.5% and 10%.

Make use of Salicylic Acid-containing face products: A beta-hydroxy acid called salicylic acid aids in pore unclogging and mild skin exfoliation. From cleansers, lotions, toners, and serums to pimple patches, it’s a common ingredient in acne-fighting treatments.

Use of Tea Tree Oil in your daily Skin Care Regimen: A tiny quantity of diluted tea tree oil can help treat acne, according to studies. But Dr. Khetarpal warns that a small percentage of people are allergic to it. “If it works for you, great, but if you put it on your skin and find out you’re allergic to it, you’re going to create a whole other problem,” she says.

Request an Injection of Antibiotic or Cortisone: These are all great suggestions, but there are certain life events, like your prom night, wedding day, or even your high school reunion, when you really don’t want to wear a giant zit. Seeing if your dermatologist is willing to inject an antibiotic or cortisone into the pimple is a good option. You usually will see noticeable improvement within a day of this process.

Read More: Dermaplaning at Home: Is It Safe and Effective?

Conclusion

Even though it may be easy to cave to your urge to pop, don’t let that urge overcome your skin health. Popping pimples typically does more harm than good and delays your healing time for your pimple to heal.

While it may be hard to fight the urge to pop a pimple, avoiding it is ultimately better for your skin’s health. A dermatologist’s examination will help identify currently available and safe ways to treat your individual skin needs.

The takeaway? Allow the experts to do the popping! Dermatologists have indicated that there are many more cons than pros when popping pimples at home. Stay focused on agreeable acne treatments – skincare products with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, or, if your case is clinically severe, medical therapies.

Experts can evaluate the best way to proceed for your skin needs and, importantly, can likely provide long-term results without damaging your skin in the process.

You may direct others on accessing proper management of pimple popping by sharing your professional insights.