It’s the day before your big meeting, or your first date, and then you see it; that swollen red bump in the middle of your face. Your first impulse may be to pop it, hoping it will clear out enough before the next day. But popping it now can cause issues for you later, such as acne scars. Acne scars are discolored spots on the skin where a pimple used to be, and can be very difficult to remove.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin condition in the country, and nearly 85% of people suffer from acne at some point in their lives. In the United States, acne is estimated to affect 40 to 50 million Americans. There are many different types of acne that can be found on the body, such as face, chest, or back acne. Acne scars are caused by breakouts that damage the skin and the tissue underneath. As your skin starts to heal that damage, it produces collagen. If your body produces too much or too little collagen, it will cause scarring. If there’s too much collagen it can cause a raised scar, and if there’s too little it can cause a depression.
Proper treatment is the best way to avoid acne scarring. Instead of trying to pop, squeeze, or pick at acne, ask a dermatologist about the best skin care for acne that hasn’t responded to over-the-counter treatments. While popping your pimples may not be the direct cause of your acne scars, it can make it more difficult for proper healing of the skin. If you have severe acne, it’s best to ask your physician for antibiotics that can help reduce the inflammation. An injection of steroids can also be used to reduce the inflammation of cyst-like pimples, which will help lower the chance of scarring.
