9 Steps To Prevent Acne Scarring If You’ve Popped Your Pimple

To be very honest, we are all guilty of popping at least one or two pimples in our lifetime. The truth is that popping your zits is highly tempting. However, this doesn’t mean that it is excellent for your skin. Many dermatologists advise against it and say it does more harm than good. The popping of that obnoxiously large pimple on your face may lead to other more painful side effects like inflammation and more noticeable scars. If you have popped this pimple with your own hand, then you are more likely to spread bacteria from your grimy fingers to the site of your pimples. So if you’ve “accidentally” popped your pimple, we’ve got you covered. Here are nine steps you should follow if you’ve popped a giant zit:

1. Cleanse The Popped Zit Up

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Firstly, we hope you’ve used a clean metal object to pop the pimple and not your own fingers. In any case, you should look at it like it is a crime scene and see if you can clean any blood that may be around it. Ensure that you use a clean cloth or wet cotton to do so and not your own fingers. So step number one is to make sure you’ve cleansed your face with a natural cleanser that is free of sulfate and other harsh chemicals.

2. Relieve Any Pain With An Ice Cube

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Popping a zit can be extremely painful. We’re pretty sure there was a moment when you felt that pesky zit coming on right before an important occasion and had to force yourself not to pop it. Eventually, you give in, and when you do, it hurts as if a fire ant stung it! One way to numb your skin and get rid of this pain is to use an ice cube (or two) to relieve the pain. You can also use a clean ice pack covered in cloth. Ice can help reduce all of the pain, inflammation, and redness that comes with the territory of popping pimples. This will make the pimple look less noticeable. By reducing the level of inflammation, you will also be directly reducing the pimple’s size. Thus this makes it the safest and easiest post-pimple picking ritual.

3. Go Find Your Sisters Acne Patch

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If you want to experiment and try something new, you should consider opting for an acne patch. These patches are specifically designed to fight off acne and reduce inflammation. Keep your eyes peeled for ingredients like tea tree oil, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and niacinamide, as they help speed up your recovery process. In addition, pimple patches help by pulling out any fluids that might still be present inside your zit. This will leave you with a much flatter and barely-there appearance to your zit (1).

4. Benzoyl Peroxide, Salicylic Acid, And Tea-Tree Oil Are Key Acne-Fighting Ingredients

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When it comes to fighting off acne and reducing scarring, you should look for critical acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and benzoyl peroxide. Each has its own benefits and side effects, so you should choose according to your skin type and preference. For example, benzoyl peroxide works best for those who have oily skin. It also helps kill any acne-causing bacteria that lay beneath your skin (2).

5. Avoid Any Cream That Contains Retinoids Or Vitamin C

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You must leave your skin alone after you have popped your pimple. Using harsh products that contain vitamin C or other ingredients that can affect sensitive skin is a big no-no. Steer clear from any chemical exfoliants like AHAs, vitamin C serums, BHAs, and retinoids. These can help as your skin is highly vulnerable after you’ve popped a zit.

6. Maintain A Healthy Skincare Routine

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Maintaining a healthy skin care regimen is extremely important to keep acne at bay and avoid making it worse. Start by washing your face with cold water and later apply an antibacterial ointment to fight off the pimples. Then moisturize your skin as it will protect it from getting damaged by outside elements.

7. Protect Yourself From The Harsh Sun

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Keeping your skin well covered and protected during the harsh summer sun is extremely important. But that is supposed to be important all year long, whether it is the summer season or monsoon. It’s essential to keep your skin protected, dry, safe, and moisturized. Work with the skincare routine that’s best suited to your skin type.

8. Manage Your Stress Levels

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Keeping your stress levels in check will help immensely when it comes to healing your acne. If you keep a cool head and don’t stress out too much, you will notice a reduction in your acne. It is also essential to keep yourself hydrated and not get too tense in stressful situations.

9. Speak To A Dermatologist

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If you popped your pimple in such a way that your face now looks like a travesty, you should probably get in touch with your doctor. Of course, we doubt it will come to this but if you’re in a situation where your zit is beyond damage control, try getting in touch with your dermatologist. You can then opt for a minimally invasive in-clinic procedure like a chemical peel, q-switched lasers, dermal infusion, or IPL light. These treatments may help prevent future zits from sprouting out as well.

Whatever you choose to do, make sure that you have kept your dermatologist in the loop. Don’t keep popping your pimples, as this will cause unnecessary pain and discomfort. Do let us know if these steps helped you out in the comment section below!

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Niharika NayakBA (Media & Communication)

 

Niharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing video games, and hanging out with stray animals.

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