5 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Pick at Your Acne

It can feel like it takes every ounce of your self-control not to pick at that blemish on your face. Whether it’s a whitehead you want to pop or a tender, painful bump you want to relieve, keeping your hands off certainly isn’t easy. 

The problem? Picking at your acne might bring you short-term (think: seconds of) relief. But in the hours, days, and potentially even months that follow, it can hurt your skin — and your appearance — in several ways. 

Instead of picking at your acne, pick up the phone and call us at Atlantic Dermatology in Longs, South Carolina. Kenneth Warrick, MD, FAAD, and our team specialize in treating acne, so we can help you find a way to clear your skin.

And if you need some motivation to keep your hands off your face, here are five good reasons not to pick. 

#1: It makes your blemish more noticeable

The next time you have two blemishes next to each other, do a little experiment. Pop or pick one, but leave the other untouched. 

Look at them both 20 minutes later. Which one looks better? Most likely, the one you messed with will look red, inflamed, and angry. Clearly, picking at or popping acne doesn’t help your skin.

In fact, if you’re tempted to pick at or pop a blemish because you want to look your best for an upcoming event, know that you’ll actually be moving further from your goal. Instead, you can try icing it, which can help bring the redness and inflammation down. 

#2: It means your blemish will be there longer

Irritating the acne by picking at it doesn’t help your body heal the blemish any faster. In fact, it can actually slow your skin’s healing process, which means you could be stuck with the issue for longer. 

#3: It could mean a bigger outbreak

If the acne you’re picking at has pus in it (and pimples often do), opening up that area can allow the bacteria in that pus to spread to the surrounding pores and hair follicles. As a result, you could get even more blemishes. 

#4: It can push the infection deeper into your skin

Odds are, you’re picking at your acne to try to get the bad stuff out. But applying pressure to your skin can actually push the infection causing the blemish deeper down. That ties back into point #2, meaning you’ll be left with the skin issue for longer. 

#5: It can cause permanent damage

Breaking the protective barrier of your skin opens you up to long-term problems. You could get a scar or develop hyperpigmentation (basically, a dark spot) in the area. That means that even after the acne itself goes away, you could be left with a lasting reminder. 

Investing in some pimple patches can also help you feel like you’re doing something without the risk of a longer-lasting blemish — or permanent skin damage.

The next time you’re tempted to pick at your acne, revisit this list and schedule an appointment with us. Dr. Warrick can work with you to get rid of this issue altogether. To start your path toward clear skin, call our office today to schedule a consultation, or use the online booking feature any time.