asking for a friend: is it ever ok to pop a pimple?
got blackheads? pimples? facial care expert vee mistry says that picking and popping is never good for your skin.
4 minute read
experts have looked at the psychology behind why we like to pick and pop, and say that it may be tied to the human disgust reflex. getty
dear asking for a friend, can we settle the squeezing the pimple and blackhead debate finally… do we do it or not?
signed, can’t stop picking my face
dear can’t stop picking my face,
what happens when you get in front of a mirror? do you examine your pores and zero in on any pimples and blackheads, unable to resist squeezing, picking and popping?
well, you’re not alone. star dermatologist dr. sandra lee, dr. pimple popper, has made a social media career out of the obsession. millions have watched her youtube clips and tlc show where she performs extractions and other topical procedures to remove unwanted blemishes, cysts and skin tags.
experts have looked at the psychology behind why we like to pick and pop, and say that it may be tied to the human disgust reflex. we want to purge the filth, just like our foraging ancestors would pick and toss away rotten food. in fact, university of pennsylvania researchers have found that people are attracted to activities that produce undesirable emotions like disgust — basically, disgust is part of our evolutionary hardware designed to protect our stomachs.
resist the urge to pop and pick
but the consensus from dermatologists, estheticians, and likely your mom, is to resist the urge to pop pimples and squeeze blackheads because that inflamed or infected pimple pus can be forced deeper into the skin and spread the inflammation. it also puts you at risk for permanent scarring and pitting of the skin.
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“you’re going to end up creating more damage than good,” says vee mistry, an expert facialist in toronto with a clientele that includes celebrities in film, music and sport.
“i can pretty much guarantee you that every single person, once they squeeze, it leaves a type of hyperpigmentation,” she says, referring to the noticeable pinky-red or brownish tones in the area of the blemish. “sometimes it’s easier to leave the pimple the way it is, because it’s going to come and go. it may take a little bit longer to go, but at least once it’s gone, you don’t have pigmentation to deal with.”
she explains that when the average person looks at a pimple, they just see a pimple, but skincare experts see multiple types and can remove them if necessary with the right products and sterile tools.
what causes a pimple?
pimples or pustules happen when excess sebum (your body’s natural oil), dead skin cells and sometimes bacteria are trapped in a pore and you end up with red bumps with white pus at the tips. the pus is a sign that your body is trying to heal, sending white blood cells to the area to destroy the bacteria.
blackheads are aptly named because the dead skin cells can build up in the follicles (that anchor each strand of hair to your skin) and oxidizes to turn a blackish colour.
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nodules that feel like hard little balls underneath the skin are also common. and when you squeeze them, often an open wound is created where you might see blood. “these are all signs of a possible infection where you can make things worse,” says mistry.
she recommends products with exfoliating properties like salicylic and glycolic acids that help gently exfoliate the skin and speed cell turnover. she also says that all skin needs hydration — so don’t skip the moisturizer.
most importantly, your skin, like any organ, benefits from healthy lifestyle habits.
“if you are somebody who tends to break out, i would concentrate on trying to find the core root of why you’re breaking out,” she says, “because it’s easier to target those things.”
looking at gut health and stress factors are part of her approach to holistic skincare.
“so, you might say, ‘if i eat a lot of sugar, i tend to break out. if i eat a lot of dairy, i always tend to break out. or i went out and i had a glass of wine and we had a cheeseboard and 24 hours later i noticed a breakout.’ so lifestyle is absolutely key.”
mistry also stresses a regimen of cleansing and moisturizing in the morning and at night to keep skin clean and nourished, using cold water instead of hot for washing because it’s more calming for the skin.
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she also recommends sleeping on freshly-laundered pillowcases (where debris collects) every couple days. her preference is silk pillowcases that cause less friction to the skin, especially for people who experience frequent breakouts or acne.
another key tip is keeping your hands off your face because you can easily transfer bacteria to your skin, which can lead to pimples and blackheads.
“a lot of people are working from home right now, so they’re on their laptops, and their phones and then they put their hands on their face,” says mistry. “typically around the lower jaw area, the neck, around and near the back of the ears are some of the main areas that people [experience breakouts].”
the takeaway? forget about making your face a search and pick mission. instead, opt for a consistent cleansing and moisturizing routine and avoid the things that cause breakouts. your skin will thank you for it.
is there something about health that you (or a friend, wink, wink) have always wondered about but are too embarrassed to ask? send a note to info@healthing.ca. we promise your ‘friend’s’ secret — and identity — is safe with us!
karen hawthorne is a toronto-based writer.
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