We all have been there! Pimples that have been wrongfully squeezed causing a disaster bigger than the pimple! We asked a dermatologist about the “right” way to squeeze a pimple. Here are some tips.
Step 1: Steam your face
Steaming before popping a pimple is essential. Steaming your face loosen debris that may be imbedded into your skin, it widens your clogged pores and softens the skin in order to cleanse your face more easily. Steam for approximately 10/ 15 minutes and rinse your face with lukewarm water. If you don’t have so much time you can hold a warm washcloth to your face for a couple of minutes.
Step 2: Wash your hands
Make sure your hands are absolutely clean to minimize the risk of spreading bacteria. Also make sure you have removed all traces of makeup. If you want to use a needle you should sterilize it. With a needle you can gently puncture the top center of the pimple.
Step 3: Use gauze pads
Use gauze pads or napkins. Wrap a gauze pad around your fingers. Squeeze the pimple only if it has a pus-filled center – this mean that the pimple has developed completely.
Step 4: Squeeze the pimple gently
Apply gentle pressure to each side of the pimple to force the pus inside the pimple to the center. Squeeze the pimple very gently but never squeeze violently as it may lead to serious scarring. Repeat it as many times as needed until the pus is gone completely. If the pus doesn’t drain easily stop, otherwise you can cause a scar to form or cause an open hole on your face. Never use your fingernails to squeeze a pimple.
Step 5: Wash your face
Wash your face again with an antibacterial cleanser and do a facial mask if you want to cleanse your entire face. A clay or mud mask works best after squeezing a pimple, as they it removes the excess oil and shrink the enlarged pores.
Step 6: Apply a healing agent
Look for products with benzoyl peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, salicylic acid, alpha hydroxyl acid to kill the bacteria. These products dry the pimple faster and prevent the formation of red spots.
