If you see a new pimple appear, it can be so tempting to squeeze it. Squeezing blemishes isn’t recommended, incase you damage the skin.
But when you do fail to resist the urge, why do pimples pop on the mirror? How can you stop your blemishes from affecting your mirror? Keep on reading to find out…
What Are The Risks Of Popping Pimples?
Are you tempted to pop that pesky pimple that’s been bothering you for days? Wait just a moment.
Before you take matters into your own hands, consider the risks associated with pimple popping. It might be satisfying in the short term, but the consequences can be much worse than you imagine.
First, let’s understand what a pimple actually is. Pimples occur when a pore becomes blocked with excess oil and dead skin cells, both of which feed the growth of bacteria and cause a small infection in the pore.
By attempting to pop the pimple, you’re likely to spread the bacteria deeper into your skin, leading to more clogged pores and potentially worsening your acne problem.
When you pop a pimple, you’re probably not even getting all the pus out. In fact, putting pressure on a pimple can inadvertently send bacteria deeper into the follicle.
Potentially causing it to rupture and spill infected pus into the lower levels of your skin. This can lead to long-term scarring and even more stubborn blemishes.
Lastly, your hands carry their own set of bacteria and oils that can make acne worse. Unless you’ve washed and sanitized your hands thoroughly, you’re just spreading more dirt and bacteria to your face, further exacerbating the problem.
Why Popping Pimples Is Not Good for Clearer Skin
We know how tempting it is to pop those pesky pimples that seem to taunt you every time you look in the mirror. The feeling of satisfaction you get once you’ve addressed the issue is hard to beat.
However, there are some essential reasons why you shouldn’t give in to the pimple-popping urge. Let’s dive into why popping pimples is bad for your skin and how it can affect your quest for clearer skin.
Popping pimples can actually hinder the natural healing process your body is undergoing. Acne develops as a result of blocked pores and acne bacteria.
When you see a pimple, it’s an indication that your body is working to heal itself and rid the area of harmful substances. Interrupting this process by forcefully extracting the contents of a pimple can cause more harm than good.
When you pop a pimple, you’re causing damage to your skin. To get the contents out, you need to tear the skin, which leaves an open wound instead of a bump.
Not only can this lead to increased redness, inflammation, and possible infection, but it also makes the pimple worse by forcing bacteria and oil deeper into the skin.
Believe it or not, popping pimples can also create more of them. Once you release the bacteria, oil, and debris from the affected area, they can spread and cause additional breakouts.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, popping pimples can significantly increase your risk of scarring, particularly if you have deeper cystic acne.
How Popping Pimples Can Lead to Infection and Scarring
Essentially, a pimple is formed when excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria become trapped in a pore.
When you pop this inflamed pore, you’re actually damaging the underlying tissue, making your complexion worse and potentially causing more breakouts, discoloration, and acne scars.
But what’s going on beneath the surface? When you squeeze a pimple, you can force the debris from the pore deeper into the hair follicle.
This can lead to the follicle wall rupturing, spilling the infected material into the lower layer of skin called the dermis.
This results in more inflammation, redness, swelling, and heat around the area, sometimes even leading to the formation of new pimples next to the one you just popped.
Now, let’s talk about the skin changes that happen after you pop that pimple. In addition to new pimples forming, you may also experience scarring and discoloration.
Popping a pimple without a white head forces the skin to break open, releasing the pus and forming a scab.
This darkens the surrounding skin, and repeated squeezing can lead to the formation of nodules or cysts.
Both infection and tissue loss can result in depressed or pitted acne scars, with more extensive damage increasing the chances of scarring.
To avoid these nasty consequences, it’s best to follow a hands-off policy for your acne-prone skin. Instead of popping, try using acne treatment products and maintaining a thorough skin care routine.
Remember, resisting the urge to pop those pimples now will save your skin from potential damage, infection, and scarring in the future.
Dopamine Release and Pleasure Sensation of Pimple Popping
We’ve all been guilty of squeezing a pimple or two, despite knowing we shouldn’t. But have you ever wondered why pimple-popping feels so satisfying? It all comes down to the dopamine release in our brains.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for giving us a sense of reward and accomplishment.
When you successfully squeeze a pimple and see its contents ejected from your skin, your brain releases dopamine, making you feel gratified and victorious.
It’s a behavioral pattern that’s also linked to our instincts as humans and our innate desire to maintain clean and healthy skin.
Research suggests that our brains are wired to seek out and enjoy situations that engage our disgust response, albeit in controlled and non-threatening circumstances.
Watching videos of pimple-popping or engaging in the act ourselves allows us to safely indulge in this desire, resulting in that satisfying sensation we all know too well.
How To Tell When Your Pimple Is Ready To Be Popped?
When you are considering popping a pimple, it can be difficult to know if the time is right.
Fortunately, there are some signs that you can look out for to know when your pimple is ready.
Check to see what kind of pimple you have. Some types of pimples can easily become infected when they’re popped prematurely, so proceed with caution.
You should only attempt to pop whiteheads or blackheads – any other type of acne should not be touched.
Take a closer look at the zit in question: If it has a white center that appears soft and raised, then it’s ready for extraction.
Any other coloration could mean that the pus isn’t quite ready yet and could lead to increased swelling and risk of infection if popped too soon.
Lastly, keep an eye out for white bumps, as these are often prime candidates for safe extraction with little risk involved.
Why Do Pimples Pop On The Mirror?
When we press onto an inflamed pimple with gentle pressure, it causes the pore or follicle to rupture and release its contents, including pus from the sebaceous gland.
This pus is mostly made up of skin oils and dead cell fragments, and can often end up on the mirror when popped in this way.
This occurs because a pimple consists of an infected pocket below the surface of the skin that is filed with sebum, bacteria, dead skin cells and other debris.
When gentle pressure is applied to the outside layer of skin above these pockets, some of these contents are forced out through even the smallest crack in surrounding skin tissue and onto nearby surfaces like mirrors.
Although popping a pimple may seem like a quick fix for blemishes, it also carries serious risks, as doing so can lead to permanent scarring or further infection during your body’s natural healing process.
For this reason, it is best not to pop any blemishes to avoid irritation or further damage to your skin, as you don’t want to push the pimple deeper, leaving you with more painful, inflamed pimples, which will take longer to heal.
How To Make Pimples Pop Without Squeezing Them
Are you tired of dealing with annoying pimples, but can’t resist the urge to pop them? You’re in luck, as we’ve got some tips on how to make pimples pop without squeezing them.
Not only will this save you from potential scarring and infections, but it will also help you maintain a healthier and clearer complexion in the long run.
First, let’s talk about proper pimple care. Instead of immediately resorting to popping, make sure you’re cleansing your face regularly and keeping your skin hydrated.
Use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer that are suited for your skin type. This will help to prevent new pimples from forming and will ensure that your current pimples heal more quickly.
Now, onto the main event: popping without squeezing. One effective way to coax a pimple to the surface is to apply a warm compress to the area, or using a comedone extractor like Dr Pimple Popper Dr Sandra Lee.
Soaking a clean cloth in warm water and gently holding the warm compress, or cotton swabs against the pimple for a few minutes can help the pus to rise to the surface. Just make sure the water isn’t too hot, as this can irritate your skin further.
Another option is to use an over-the-counter spot treatment containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. These ingredients work to break down the oil and dead skin cells that are trapped within the pore, thus allowing the pimple to come to a head.
Apply the treatment directly to the pimple, following the instructions on the packaging, and wait for the magic to happen.
Summary
By focusing on proper skin care and employing gentle methods like warm compresses and spot treatments, you can successfully make your pimples pop without squeezing them.
This will ultimately lead to healthier and clearer skin and save you from the potential risks associated with popping. So next time a pesky pimple appears, remember these tips and give your skin the care it deserves