I’m a skin doctor – here’s why you should NEVER pop a spot

WHEN you spot a pimple, you’ll probably feel an uncontrollable urge to pop it.

But far from providing quick relief, what’s often left is an inflamed crater that looks much worse than before.

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Dr. Raj Arora – a GP and dermatologist – took to TikTok to urge would-be spot poppers to suppress the urge and stay away from the pimples.

“It’s really tempting to squeeze or squeeze a pimple when it’s right on the surface of the skin,” she said in an interview Recently posted clip.

But giving in to temptation could do more harm than good to your skin, she warned.

“Squeezing your pimple won’t necessarily get rid of the problem; it could actually cause pus and bacteria to penetrate deeper into the skin,” explained Dr. Raj.

“This can cause more swelling and redness, which can actually make the pimple more visible,” she continued.

Popping your pimples can also cause crusting, redness, scarring, and hyperpigmentation, which Dr. Raj can take months to disappear.

Some scars – so-called cicatricial scars – can even become permanent, the dermatologist added.

If all you want is for your pimple to go away, squeezing isn’t the way to go—but there are things you can do to treat it.

Dr. Raj initially suggested that you apply 5 percent benzoyl peroxide gels or creams, which can help dry out the affected area and reduce its appearance.

You can buy a tube of Acnecide 5% Gel Benzoyl Peroxide for £6.59 from Chemist4U or £9.99 from Boots.

You can also use creams, toners, or washes containing salicylic acid to unclog pores and get rid of acne.

She suggested using the INKEY LIST salicylic acid cleanser – £11.99 at Boots – or the pricier option of Paula’s Choice BHA Liquid Exfoliant, which is available on Amazon for £29.75.

“If you have a lot of breakouts and pus-filled pimples and are tempted to pop, be sure to see your primary care doctor or dermatologist who can give you a treatment plan to help you get your acne under control,” says Dr Raj said.

The consultant dermatologist Dr. Justine Kluk has previously said that certain foods like refined carbohydrates, sugar and dairy could make your acne worse.

Veronica Long, esthete at OMNI Wellnesstold Sun Health what the location of that annoying spot on your face can tell you about your health.