If you love to pick at your face, you are not alone. Many people cannot resist picking at their face when they have a blemish. If you can identify with this statement read on.
Why Is Picking At Your Skin So Bad?
Picking at your skin is not great for your face because you are squeezing the area and allowing the follicle walls to open up. Bacteria and other debris can spread, leading to inflammation. You are also introducing bacteria from your hands to your face. This means one pimple can turn into a huge breakout all over your face or even a scar.
When you pick at your skin, you cause trauma that can lead to scarring and skin discoloration. Both of these issues are difficult to treat, even by a dermatologist--though it is not impossible. Laser skin resurfacing and dermal fillers can often help.
What Should You Do Instead?
There are better ways to address acne besides picking at your skin. One of the best courses of action is to simply do nothing. Don't touch the blemish. Let your body take its natural course and heal after it has a blemish.
If your blemish is too painful, you can use spot treatments available over the counter or an ice cube wrapped in a cloth to ease inflammation. If a cyst is too intense, contact your dermatologist right away. You may be able to prevent scarring when you speak with a professional about your problems and receive treatment.
What If You Can't Resist?
One of the best ways to avoid damaging your skin is to always keep your hands clean. If you do decide to drain a blemish, do not use your fingernails. If you must, you can use clean cotton swabs to gently apply pressure on the sides of the pimple. You should use a warm compress at the same time, which will loosen the pore and keep your skin soft. Do not force yourself to pop the pimple if nothing is happening.
If all else fails, speak with a doctor about your skin. You could find that you have better options that are less likely to damage your skin and more likely to provide you with remedies for better skin all around. If you really struggle with the urge to pick your face, you should speak with a doctor. A dermatologist can provide you with better solutions because they have likely dealt with patients in your exact situation.
For more information and tips, contact a local clinic like Columbia Dermatology and Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery.