Pore pimples, blackheads, and other forms of acne can be tempting to pick or squeeze, but doing so can lead to several undesirable outcomes that worsen the condition of your skin. While it might offer a momentary sense of satisfaction, pore-popping can have serious long-term consequences.
1. Risk of Infection
Your hands contain bacteria and oils that, when transferred to your skin during squeezing, can cause infection. Pore pimples and blackheads are already a result of clogged pores, often from excess oil and dead skin cells. When you apply pressure, you can force this bacteria deeper into the skin, increasing the risk of a more serious infection. This can lead to painful cysts or pustules, which can take much longer to heal.
2. Scarring
Picking or popping pimples can also cause scarring. Even if you don’t notice it at first, squeezing a pimple creates micro-tears in the skin. Over time, this damage accumulates and can result in visible scars, making your skin look uneven and textured. Some people are more prone to hyperpigmentation or scarring after picking, and these marks can remain for months.
3. Worsening Breakouts
Popping pimples doesn’t resolve the root cause of acne. In fact, it can make matters worse. Squeezing a pore can spread oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells into surrounding areas, which could cause new pimples to form. This “spreading” effect can lead to a more widespread breakout, exacerbating the original problem.
4. Delayed Healing
Popping pimples delays the natural healing process. When you squeeze a pimple, you are disrupting the skin’s ability to heal properly. This can lead to prolonged inflammation and make the blemish more noticeable, rather than allowing it to subside on its own.
For healthy, clear skin, it’s better to resist the urge to pop pimples and adopt a proper skincare routine with gentle exfoliation, cleansing, and spot treatments.