TBH, we’re guilty of having popped a pimple or two back in the day. It’s just so freakin’ tempting. However, it’s not the best thing to do for your skin. But if you have given in to temptation and burst and squeezed out that sucker then we’ve got you covered. Thankfully, there are a few hacks to prevent and lighten residual scarring and we’re listing ’em for you.
Hacks To Prevent Acne Scarring After You’ve Popped A Zit
Cleanse The Area
Think of the crime scene as an open wound, especially if you see any blood around the area. That said, you would want to avoid infecting the area with bacteria that may be on your fingers or just out there in the world. So the first step is to wash the area using a gentle cleanser, we recommend using a sulfate-free cleanser that doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals.
Use A Lightweight Moisturiser
If there’s a lot of bleeding, you might need to apply slight pressure with a clean washcloth or towel until it stops before moving on with the moisturiser. Once the bleeding has stopped and the area is clean, you are good to go ahead with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser. Avoid moisturisers that might also be used for exfoliating and antiaging purposes.
Try An Acne Patch
Pimple patches are designed specifically to reduce inflammation and fight acne. Look out for ingredients such as niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, tea tree oil, or salicylic acid to speed up the recovery process. Pimple patches help in pulling out any fluid that’s still in your zit and you’ll be left with a flatter, barely noticeable zit-uation.
Avoid Retinoids And Vitamin C
Avoid applying anything that interferes with the area with it heals, including products that might be irritating. The skin is extremely sensitive and vulnerable during this time, so you should stay away from products like chemical exfoliants such as retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, and vitamin C serums.
Use Ice Cubes To Soothe Skin
If there’s no blood and the area is clean, you can apply a clean, cloth-covered ice pack over the affected area. Ice will help reduce inflammation, pain, and redness that comes from popping a pimple. Thereby, making it less noticeable. By reducing the inflammation, you’re also directly reducing the size of pimples, which makes it the easiest and safest post-picking ritual.
See Your Dermat
If the damage is beyond your control, you can see your dermatologist and opt for an in-clinic procedure like a dermal infusion, chemical peel, IPL light, or Q-switched lasers to resolve the damage and prevent scarring. These clinical treatments may be helpful in preventing future zits too.
If you are a pimple-picker, try these hacks to curb the damage!
Featured Image: Shutterstock
