- It's common knowledge that popping pimples can lead to scarring.
- Dr. Sandra Lee, aka Dr. Pimple Popper, said that it's best to use spot treatments on zits.
Everyone knows that popping pimples is usually not a good idea. But sometimes, it's just too hard to resist the siren song of a tender red bump on your chin.
Dr. Sandra Lee, known for her viral pimple-popping videos and TLC show, understands this feeling all too well.
"As a dermatologist, I'd be remiss if I didn't say first that the best thing you can do for a pimple is to apply a little spot treatment and then leave it alone," Lee said of zits. "But since I'm a realist, I do offer people advice because if you don't do it right, you can create a wound and even a scar."
Popping pimples with very minimal damage done is both a fine art and a risky endeavor, so Lee shared her tips on how to do it as safely as possible.
Wait to see white
One of the worst things you can do to your skin is pick each pimple as if they're all the same. Lee said to never mess with a cystic pimple or acne nodule — those deep, painful bumps — because you can't pop them without seriously tearing at your skin.
If you see a papule, or a red pimple on the surface, she said to wait for it to turn into a pustule by developing a white center.
The white part means "dead cells and pus trapped inside the pore are super close to the surface, and are more likely to be extracted with very little pressure," she said.
To speed up the process, she said you can use a hot compress on the pimple. And if you're dealing with blackheads (another type of clogged pore), a hot shower or facial steam can help loosen up the sebum before you extract.
Sterilize everything — including your hands
This might be the hardest step for those of us who pick our skin absent-mindedly, but it's a super important one, according to Lee.
It's important to wash your hands and, if using a tool like a blackhead extractor, to make sure it's sterilized by using rubbing alcohol or a similar disinfectant to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Know your limits
Popping a pimple clean can be a rush, especially if it quickly shrinks without the hint of a dark spot. But be wary of flying too close to the cystic sun by popping pimples you know you shouldn't — or simply going too hard.
"You've got to know when to pop, and when to stop," Lee said. "If it hurts, or you're in danger of breaking the skin, that's a sign that you're going too far."
The same goes for blackheads, which can seem like safer surfaces to squeeze.
"If you press too hard, you can damage the surface skin or compromise the pore lining — which will create a much bigger problem than just a blackhead," Lee added.
Embrace spot treatments
Lee really supports the use of spot treatments for pimples, especially medicated patches that simultaneously treat your acne. Ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are especially great for inflamed cysts.
Her brand, SLMD, carries salicylic acid patches, while brands like Starface and Mighty Patch also offer patches with additional medication.
A nice benefit of using patches? They can stop your fingers from touching and plucking your zits. Plus, they provide the same satisfaction you get from watching Dr. Pimple Popper videos: Viewing the contents of a drained pimple, all from a safe distance.
"Dr. Pimple Popper" airs Wednesdays on TLC.