Does Picking At Zits Make It Worse?
For many of those who suffer from acne, there are also many other side affects from this disease. I think we've all been there where we are watching TV, just sitting at a stoplight, and waiting in a drive through. All of a sudden our hand reaches up to our jawline, chin, forehead, etc. and finds a bump. What could that be? Could it be a pimple??? You run to the mirror or pull down your visor mirror in your car and see that it is indeed one of these nasty little boogers. Sigh! You tell yourself to leave it alone, but once you know that it's there, you can't seem to stop touching it.
One extreme condition for this is called Acne Excoriee which means that the person continues to pick and scrape subconsciously usually with their fingernails the areas that have acne. This can cause bleeding, scarring, or the skin to make a pink or purple mark called hyperpigmentation. If this is you, please ask for help! We'll dive in together and if you need a referral, I will help you get this as well.
Whether you are picking consciously or subconsciously, one thing is true. Picking at pimples can make it worse. Acne is caused by having three things... 1) having p. bacteria present on the skin, 2) a build up of dead skin cells, and 3) having an excess amount of sebum production. You must have all these to have acne.
When you try to remove pimples from the skin, you can unknowingly spread the p bacteria (now referred to as c bacteria) on the skin. The fluid coming out of the pustule can spread over the face. Have you ever had a pimple that you know is ready, but when you go to pop that one, nothing happens? Well, something did happen! That same fluid can spread underneath the skin like sewage, spreading more bacteria everywhere under the skin.
But it's so hard to leave my skin alone!!! Oh sister! I know it! But if I could promise you clearer, healthier looking skin, would you do it? Let me point you to my 7 Day No Pick Challenge! Here's how it works! You commit to keeping your hands off of your face for 7 full days. That means you can do your cleansing routine but nothing else. Find out if there is a time or a trigger that causes you to try picking. For example, if you find that you are picking when you are on the Netflix app, I suggest that you wear winter gloves or mittens while you binge watch. If there is a pimple that comes up that you can't deal with, you come in for a complimentary extract by yours truly. 100% of clients that have completed this challenge notice less pimples and more glowing skin after 7 days. Are you ready? Challenge accepted.
Don't forget to
Breathe. Let Go. Relax.
Zoey Jolley, LE