Teenage Pimple Popping: Resist The Urge to Pop That Zit

Facetime, Houseparty, Tik Tok, and Zoom meetings. Our teenagers are always online, and they want their face to look good on screen. One of the side effects of online school and the stay-at-home order is increased concerns about acne.

Our pediatric office has many acne advice requests, as young people notice the skin blemishes in their HI-Def-selfie world.

There are a lot of myths about acne. Your grandmother will tell you its all in the diet. Believe it or not, acne is not caused by eating too much chocolate or greasy food.

Acne breakouts occur due to a combination of factors such as spikes in certain hormones, clogged pores in the skin, and common but mostly mild skin infections.

How can I fix Acne on my own?

The best way to prevent acne is to take care of your skin. Clean and healthy skin is more resistant to pimply outbreaks.

1. Wash your face. Use warm water and cleanser specifically designed for the face. Harsh soaps and scrubs may damage the skin and make acne worse.

2. Do not pick, squeeze, or pop pimples.

3. Avoid oil-based skin products and make-up. One easy trick is to choose a moisturizer with the words “non-comedogenic” on the label.

4. Try an over the counter medication.

5. Be skeptical of online and television advertising highlighting magic cures and overnight remedies.

PHOTO BY ANDRIANO_CZ ISTOCK BY GETTY

Don’t pop that pimple!

Pimples are so tempting. They stare at you in the mirror, almost begging to be popped. Don’t do it. Resist the urge to squeeze it until it bursts. Pimple popping is one of the worst things you can do as it damages the underlying skin.

Damaged skin can lead to scarring and worsen the skin’s appearance.

Acne medication can help

At the first sign of an acne breakout of acne is first noticed, you can try over the counter products like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. These products help to clean the skin and remove debris from pores.

It is always a good idea to start off trying a little of these products on small skin areas. Acne medication can cause skin irritation and, occasionally, an adverse reaction.

If these over the counter solutions do not yield positive results, schedule an evaluation with your pediatric healthcare provider for an assessment. There are multiple medications that your pediatrician can prescribe based on the type and severity of acne.

1. Retinoids-These medications help unclog pores.
2. Prescription strength salicylic acid– These medications remove dead layers of skin and unclog pores.
3. Antibiotics- Antibiotics improve acne by reducing inflammation and killing the bacteria, causing pimples.
4. Birth control pills-Some females benefit from oral contraceptive pills, which reduce the hormonal effects on acne.

A pediatric appointment either in person or by using telemedicine technology can provide a massive lift in self-esteem, allowing our youth to embrace the prom, graduation, or even their next Zoom gathering.

Blog Author: Dr. Agboola O. Fatiregun