Is it okay to pop pimples?

It is tempting, but it is better to leave pimples alone. The reason is simple and you can check it with the American Academy of Dermatology.

What popping does to the skin

The American Academy of Dermatology says that while it can be tempting to pick, pop, or squeeze your acne, doing so will make the acne take longer to clear and increase your risk for scarring and dark spots called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

So the quick fix does not stay quick. You may end up with a mark that outlasts the pimple.

Keeping your hands off the spot

Doing nothing to the spot costs nothing and needs no skill. Keep your hands off it, and keep your routine gentle and steady.

If you want to read more about breakouts in grown-ups, the American Academy of Dermatology has a page on adult acne. It is plain and easy to follow.

Readers in Madera come first on this site. Madera Acres and Fairmead have their own place pages, and the rest of the county is covered as well.

Peels belong in a clinic

Peels and other in-office treatments are not something to improvise. If you are curious, this review on chemical peels in the treatment of acne from PubMed Central is a good read on them, though it is written for clinicians.

Breakouts that return or leave marks

Have someone take a look if breakouts keep coming back, if you are already seeing marks or scars, or if a spot is painful or has not changed for a long time. You do not need to guess on your own.

Fading the dark spots a pimple leaves

Once you stop popping, the next worry is often the dark spots an old pimple left behind. A clinician is the right person to answer that for your skin.