Acne popping – I popped my cystic acne. Now what?

Woman looking at mirror

What is your first reaction when you see a new pimple on your face? Let us guess: you want to squeeze it right away! It’s just too tempting! Instead of waiting for it to go away on its own, you try to take out the ugly pus immediately, hoping that the problem will disappear in a few seconds. Well, bad news, it will probably not happen that way.

Skincare specialists advise acne patients not to touch pimples or zits and not to squeeze them, despite the fact that it may seem easy and straightforward. Only a dermatologist can perform pimple-popping safely. The professionals use proper acne extraction techniques to remove the blemish without causing any harm.

Despite that, many people are not able to resist the temptation; they just find squeezing pimples pleasant and satisfying. Some folk even enjoy watching pimple-popping videos. But what actually happens if you pop an acne cyst, and why is it best to leave this job to an expert? Continue reading to find out more.

What happens if you pop an acne cyst?

First and foremost, it is critical to understand that cystic acne is a severe form of inflammatory acne. This looks like a large, painful, pus-filled bump and might make you want to pop it. However, doing so puts you at risk of ending up with nasty inflammation.

Breaking open the cyst will simply spread the infection to your surrounding skin, potentially leading to more breakouts. In other words, you will not only not get rid of the bothersome pimple, but you will also delay its healing process. Not to mention the possibility of scarring, which is a much worse option for your face and skin.

What to do after popping a cyst?

Ok, you succumbed to the temptation and squeezed the blemish. Now what? Can you do anything to avoid further problems? There might be some things that may help you calm the area and prevent the infection from spreading.

Here are some tips that might be useful.

Always wash your hands after popping a pimple. The first thing you must do right after squeezing a cyst or other kind of acne pimple is to wash your hands properly.
Apply cold compresses. You can use ice cubes to relieve pain and reduce the swelling. Make sure to wrap them in a soft cloth before applying them to the skin. You can use these cold compresses several times a day.
Use salicylic acid. Clean the area with a mild salicylic acid solution. Just take a cotton swab and a few drops of the solution and apply the compress to the affected area. Thanks to its antibacterial properties, salicylic acid will help you decrease swelling and prevent bacteria from spreading.
Apply an antibiotic ointment. Spread an antibiotic ointment over the broken pimple by using a cotton swab or your finger. Be sure to wash your hands after that.

As an alternative to salicylic acid, you can use other over-the-counter treatments such as tea tree oil or pimple patches. These products may also aid in the reduction of inflammation and the fight against harmful bacteria.

Why should only dermatologists or trained professionals remove acne?

Talented Dermatologist Having Appointment

In general, it is best not to pop pimples yourself, especially if you suffer from severe and inflamed acne such as nodules and cysts. Squeezing them can severely damage the surface of the skin and lead to the spread of the infection. Most of the time, this will also leave unpleasant scars.

Seeing a skincare specialist or trained professional is the best and safest way to approach the problem. Dermatologists or trained professionals can identify the type of acne you have and recommend the most appropriate way to deal with it. Your treatment plan may include oral and topical medications, as well as cystic acne facial treatments.

Skincare specialists are qualified to carry out acne extraction procedures in a safe manner. They know the proper technique to successfully remove blackheads (open pores), whiteheads, and pimples without damaging the skin. The trained professionals will use sterile instruments and gloves in order to prevent inflammations.

What treatments do specialists offer for acne?

For mild to moderate forms of acne, your doctor may prescribe any of the following treatments:

Topical creams and gels that contain Benzoyl peroxide and Salicylic acid
Topical antibiotics or retinoids
Oral medications.

If you have severe acne, you might be also recommended medical therapies, including:

Laser therapy
Chemical peels
Facial procedures customized for your skin concerns.

Doctors and skincare professionals know the best techniques for the safe and sterile removal of pimple pus. When inflammation and pus build up deep within the skin, nodules and cysts become very painful and difficult to remove. Dermatologists may use special injections called cortisone injections in these situations, which can only be administered in the clinic.

Acne removal procedures: the better solution

Acne removal procedure

Pimple popping is definitely not something you should do yourself. It is best to leave this job to skincare specialists who know how to remove blemishes and painful lumps without damaging the surrounding skin.

When done by professionals, acne facial procedures are a safe and very effective treatment option. There are various kinds of facials you may get. Some of them are used to remove blackheads and whiteheads, while others can address more severe forms of acne. It is best to consult a specialist if you want to determine which one is right for you.

During your facial treatment, the professional will gently exfoliate your skin to remove the dead skin cells and excess sebum trapped in hair follicles. The provider will also perform an extraction to clear the clogged pores, blackheads, whiteheads and existing acne. LED light therapy may also be used as part of your facial procedure by some specialists. This treatment targets and kills acne-causing bacteria while also improving your skin’s overall condition.

Pimple popping: Frequently asked questions

What facial treatment is best for acne?

Deep clean facial and LED light therapy are some of the most effective procedures for treating acne. The deep clean facial cleans the pores in depth without causing pain or discomfort or requiring time to recover. It is best used for blackheads and whiteheads. LED light therapy can be done alone or as a part of deep clean facial procedures. You can use LED therapy to treat more severe acne, such as nodules and cysts.

What happens to pus in a pimple if you don’t pop it?

The pimple will eventually go away in a few weeks or months. How long it will last depends on the kind of acne you have and whether you are treating it in any way. If it is a whitehead, then it will probably go away on its own within a week. If you have an inflamed, large pimple such as a nodule or cyst, then it may take longer than a month to disappear.

What type of pimple might be ok to pop?

Popping non-inflammatory blemishes such as blackheads and whiteheads is ok, as well as popping pustules, which are inflamed pimples. However, it is not advised to squeeze out a blackhead or whitehead yourself, even though it may seem tempting. Pimples can only be safely and properly extracted by a doctor or skincare expert.

Why do people like watching pimple-popping videos?

There are many potential reasons why people enjoy watching pimple-popping videos. The key one is that this habit releases dopamine, the feel-good hormone. Pimple-popping or watching someone else do so simply gives the feeling of satisfaction and pleasure. And while many people find it nauseating, the millions of YouTube subscribers of pimple-popping videos prove just how big the pimple-popper community is.

How long do acne cysts last?

Acne cysts are the most severe form of acne. Without treatment, they can last two months or more. On the other hand, cysts can disappear within a month with the right treatment.

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June 2022