dr. pimple popper 2018

Dr. Pimple Popper Gives Us the 411 on Extractions

And why she thinks the world needs more pimple-popping videos

Dr. Sandra Lee is to Popaholics what Lady Gaga is to her Monsters. More than 4 million fervent fans subscribe to the SoCal dermatologist’s YouTube channel, watching intently as she squeezes out pus from patients’ various body parts: a blackhead inside someone’s ear, a cyst the size of a newborn’s head on the back of a man’s neck… the pustule possibilities are endless. She’s even nabbed a show on TLC, which documents her extraction adventures. We caught up with the doc to discuss all things pimple popping, including why we’re so obsessed with it and when it’s actually okay to do it.

Why do you think people are so fascinated with pimple-popping videos?

“I think there are a few reasons, but ultimately I think it makes a lot of people happy and relaxed. There’s a sense of completion, of cleansing. It calms people who have some obsessive-compulsive tendencies. People who tend to pick at their own skin when they’re stressed say that watching my videos really helps them keep their hands off their own face. Some people actually watch my videos if they’re having a panic attack, or to help them sleep. Believe it or not, my videos are bedtime lullabies to many! I also think they give some people a little rush, similar to what you might feel riding a rollercoaster or watching a scary movie. And I think it’s fascinating for many people to see what can come out of the skin of a regular, normal, healthy human.”

When is it okay to pop a pimple?

“Well first off, you really should not pop anything on your face. However, I know most of you will end up doing it, so at the very least, please remember to ‘Know when to pop, and know when to stop.’ If you really must pop at home, wait until it has come to a white or yellow ‘head.’ If the pimple has a head, at that point it is the easiest to extract, with the least risk of scarring because the bump is very superficial to the surface of the skin.”

 

 
 
 
 
 
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What’s the right way to do it?

“Sterilize the area first and be sure to have clean tools, hands and surroundings. You’ll want to make sure you wash your face before with warm water, or better yet, take a steamy shower to really open up the pores. Then, use your fingers or the comedone extractor I often use in my videos to place pressure on the skin immediately surrounding the whitehead and push the contents out. If you’re using your fingers, increase traction by wrapping clean tissue paper around them. A whitehead should come out pretty easily if it is ready, but if the pimple is not popping, there’s definitely a time to give up because forcing it and continually pushing and squeezing will only irritate your skin and cause swelling, redness and pain, on top of increasing your risk for local infection and scarring.”

What should you put on a pimple post-extraction?

“I would recommend applying a topical corticosteroid and/or a topical acne spot treatment, like one of my products that contain maximum strength salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. You can also use an antibiotic [product] or cool compress if you want, or just try to leave the area alone. A spot treatment can help you keep your hands off.”

dr. pimple popper 2018
SLMD Retinol Serum, $52, Dr. Pimple Popper Acne Spot Treatment, $32, slmdskincare.com, Dr. Pimple Popper Comedone Extractor, $26, shop.drpimplepopper.com

When should we seek professional help for our pimple-popping needs?

“A dermatologist or skincare professional can help you extract anything, but you should definitely see a professional if you want to remove anything that is not superficial and is underneath the skin. You can really risk infection and scarring if you try to extract something deeper or a cyst by yourself. A professional can also help explain the other treatment options available, like oral or topical prescriptions and in-office treatments or procedures.”

What are your top tips for keeping skin clear?

“Having a consistent routine is crucial to keeping your skin clean, healthy and breakout-free. You should also be choosing products with the right acne-fighting ingredients. Salicylic acid works to exfoliate the surface of the skin and helps unclog pores, treat blackheads and whiteheads, and soothe any redness or irritation. Benzoyl Peroxide is a strong anti-bacterial ingredient that kills the bacteria that causes more inflammatory papules and pustules. Finally, SPF, SPF, SPF! I can’t stress this enough. Everyone should be applying and reapplying sunscreen. If you have acne-prone skin, you should choose a chemical sunscreen so it won’t clog your pores or irritate your breakouts. SPF will also keep hyperpigmentation left from old breakouts from darkening in the sun. In general, make sure you’re washing your face twice a day and washing your pillowcases and sheets frequently because they can be a home for acne-causing bacteria.”

What are your tips for treating or preventing acne scarring?

“Biggest tip? Don’t pick at your skin! The most important thing you can do is to prevent acne scarring in the first place because once you have it, some acne scarring can be extremely difficult, even impossible to reverse. Know that the depth of skin inflammation is directly related to your risk for permanent acne scarring. So, if you have a more severe form of acne, with deep cysts and bumps under the skin, this is the type of acne you should really seek treatment for because it’s the type that’s most likely to lead to scarring. Whether you extract a pimple or not, I would suggest using a spot treatment. It’s the best way to target an area or specific breakout, speed up the healing process and really help you keep your hands off of it. Technically, brown or red spots left after an acne breakout aren’t considered ‘acne scarring’ because they’re usually not permanent. You can speed up the resolution of these spots by using an exfoliating ingredient like salicylic acid or retinol.”  

 

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