Difference between revisions of "Resist the Temptation of Popping Pimples"
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===Keeping Your Hands Off=== | ===Keeping Your Hands Off=== | ||
#Prevent skin damage by avoiding picking. Realize that by popping your pimples, they will probably bleed and form scabs. If you choose to pick at these scabs, scars will continue to erupt across your face. There is also a good chance it will get infected. Finally, the pimples will worsen and your face will take longer to clear. | #Prevent skin damage by avoiding picking. Realize that by popping your pimples, they will probably bleed and form scabs. If you choose to pick at these scabs, scars will continue to erupt across your face. There is also a good chance it will get infected. Finally, the pimples will worsen and your face will take longer to clear. | ||
| − | #Keep your hands busy. Many people pop pimples when they space out or don’t realize that they are doing it. Try activities like reading, cross-word puzzles, hand held games, or similar activities when you have free time. Recognizing ahead of time that your hands are liable to drift when you aren’t thinking will help you control them when they do.<ref>http://dermasupportnetwork.org/how-to-stop-picking-at-your-skin/ </ref> | + | #Keep your hands busy. Many people pop pimples when they space out or don’t realize that they are doing it. Try activities like reading, cross-word puzzles, hand held games, or similar activities when you have free time. Recognizing ahead of time that your hands are liable to drift when you aren’t thinking will help you control them when they do.<ref name="rf1">http://dermasupportnetwork.org/how-to-stop-picking-at-your-skin/ </ref> |
#Limit your face time. Looking in the mirror is a reminder of your pimple. When you know you have a pimple, avoid looking long in the mirror in the bathroom and opening your visor mirror in the car. You’ll be surprised how quickly your pimple seems to go away if you take measures to avoid being reminded of it. | #Limit your face time. Looking in the mirror is a reminder of your pimple. When you know you have a pimple, avoid looking long in the mirror in the bathroom and opening your visor mirror in the car. You’ll be surprised how quickly your pimple seems to go away if you take measures to avoid being reminded of it. | ||
| − | #*You might even try putting a sticky note on your bathroom mirror that says something like, “Hands off your face!” This way you can look in the mirror, but be reminded not to pop your pimples.<ref>http://dermasupportnetwork.org/how-to-stop-picking-at-your-skin/</ref> | + | #*You might even try putting a sticky note on your bathroom mirror that says something like, “Hands off your face!” This way you can look in the mirror, but be reminded not to pop your pimples.<ref name="rf2">http://dermasupportnetwork.org/how-to-stop-picking-at-your-skin/</ref> |
| − | #Replace the urge to pop with something else. In many cases, these habits are a result of impulses that come and go pretty quickly. There are numerous ways to divert your natural urge to touch your skin. Try wearing a rubber band on your wrist and snapping it gently when you feel like popping. Or, you can clench your fists for several seconds or even a half minute.<ref | + | #Replace the urge to pop with something else. In many cases, these habits are a result of impulses that come and go pretty quickly. There are numerous ways to divert your natural urge to touch your skin. Try wearing a rubber band on your wrist and snapping it gently when you feel like popping. Or, you can clench your fists for several seconds or even a half minute.<ref name="rf2" /> |
| − | #Cover your fingers. One easy thing to do is wear gloves around the house. It will make it harder for you to pop a pimple, and it keeps your finger oils from getting on your face. This is great if you touch your face a lot, and it will keep dirt off your face. When you are out, cover your primary picking fingers with small adhesive bandages to put a barrier between them and your pimple.<ref | + | #Cover your fingers. One easy thing to do is wear gloves around the house. It will make it harder for you to pop a pimple, and it keeps your finger oils from getting on your face. This is great if you touch your face a lot, and it will keep dirt off your face. When you are out, cover your primary picking fingers with small adhesive bandages to put a barrier between them and your pimple.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Don’t pick popped pimples. Opening them up does not make them go away. Instead, you are irritating your skin and increasing the risk of infection. If you accidentally popped your pimple, the best thing to do is leave it alone. The more time you keep your hands of the face, the quicker your skin will totally heal. | #Don’t pick popped pimples. Opening them up does not make them go away. Instead, you are irritating your skin and increasing the risk of infection. If you accidentally popped your pimple, the best thing to do is leave it alone. The more time you keep your hands of the face, the quicker your skin will totally heal. | ||
#Consider habit reversal training (HRT). This is training you do with a therapist. They will show you the ways your subconscious forms unhealthy habits and how to break them. Ask your doctor if they can make a recommendation, or do a simple web search to find HRT therapists in the area. | #Consider habit reversal training (HRT). This is training you do with a therapist. They will show you the ways your subconscious forms unhealthy habits and how to break them. Ask your doctor if they can make a recommendation, or do a simple web search to find HRT therapists in the area. | ||
===Treating the Pimple=== | ===Treating the Pimple=== | ||
| − | #Gently scrub with a skin cleanser. Splashing water is a good way to keep your face clean regularly. If your skin is especially dirty or you want to help a pimple heal faster, try a skin cleanser, or exfoliating scrub. However you wash your face, make sure to pat your face dry with a towel to avoid irritating your skin.<ref>http://www.pamf.org/teen/health/skin/acne-howtotreat.html</ref> | + | #Gently scrub with a skin cleanser. Splashing water is a good way to keep your face clean regularly. If your skin is especially dirty or you want to help a pimple heal faster, try a skin cleanser, or exfoliating scrub. However you wash your face, make sure to pat your face dry with a towel to avoid irritating your skin.<ref name="rf3">http://www.pamf.org/teen/health/skin/acne-howtotreat.html</ref> |
| − | #Apply benzoyl peroxide. This is a simple chemical agent that dries out the affected area of skin. Though keeping your skin hydrated is a good way to keep it healthy, drying pimples helps them heal more quickly. A doctor can prescribe a safe benzoyl peroxide cream.<ref>https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/for-kids/about-skin/acne-pimples-and-zits/treating-pimples</ref> | + | #Apply benzoyl peroxide. This is a simple chemical agent that dries out the affected area of skin. Though keeping your skin hydrated is a good way to keep it healthy, drying pimples helps them heal more quickly. A doctor can prescribe a safe benzoyl peroxide cream.<ref name="rf4">https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/for-kids/about-skin/acne-pimples-and-zits/treating-pimples</ref> |
#Use antibiotics if necessary. It is rare, but possible for a pimple to get infected even if you don’t pop it. See your doctor for antibiotics to fight the infection. It is important to heal an infected pimple early to reduce the risk of scarring or other long-term problems. | #Use antibiotics if necessary. It is rare, but possible for a pimple to get infected even if you don’t pop it. See your doctor for antibiotics to fight the infection. It is important to heal an infected pimple early to reduce the risk of scarring or other long-term problems. | ||
| − | #*If your pimples are red, inflamed, or painful, they may be infected. Antibiotics are an easy way to treat this.<ref>https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/a---d/acne/diagnosis-treatment</ref> | + | #*If your pimples are red, inflamed, or painful, they may be infected. Antibiotics are an easy way to treat this.<ref name="rf5">https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/a---d/acne/diagnosis-treatment</ref> |
| − | #Ask a doctor about other treatments if you have severe acne. They can prescribe treatments like accutane, which reduces the amount of oils your skin produces. It also probably means that your skin needs special products to keep it healthy. Over the counter products may be a part of your chronic problem.<ref | + | #Ask a doctor about other treatments if you have severe acne. They can prescribe treatments like accutane, which reduces the amount of oils your skin produces. It also probably means that your skin needs special products to keep it healthy. Over the counter products may be a part of your chronic problem.<ref name="rf3" /> |
===Coping With a Pimple=== | ===Coping With a Pimple=== | ||
#Consider using cover-up. This will be easier for girls than guys – both in obtaining makeup and feeling comfortable using it. You will be less likely to feel the need to aid your pimple in healing the rough way if you are less self-conscious about it. Though it is unlikely that your friends will comment on the pimple, applying cover-up may make you feel more secure. | #Consider using cover-up. This will be easier for girls than guys – both in obtaining makeup and feeling comfortable using it. You will be less likely to feel the need to aid your pimple in healing the rough way if you are less self-conscious about it. Though it is unlikely that your friends will comment on the pimple, applying cover-up may make you feel more secure. | ||
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#*Do you often rest your hands on your face? This is a common way that people get acne, as the dirt and oil from your hands clogs the pores on your face. Try putting your hands in your pockets when they are not busy until you train yourself not to rest your hands on your face. | #*Do you often rest your hands on your face? This is a common way that people get acne, as the dirt and oil from your hands clogs the pores on your face. Try putting your hands in your pockets when they are not busy until you train yourself not to rest your hands on your face. | ||
#*Are you stressed out? Feeling under pressure or stressed can contribute to acne. If this is simply a phase of your life, take comfort in knowing that your face will clear up as soon as your life slows down a little. | #*Are you stressed out? Feeling under pressure or stressed can contribute to acne. If this is simply a phase of your life, take comfort in knowing that your face will clear up as soon as your life slows down a little. | ||
| − | #*Eating greasy foods does not cause pimples, but being in greasy environments does. If you work at a restaurant, rinse your face every time you use the restroom.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/basics/causes/con-20020580</ref> | + | #*Eating greasy foods does not cause pimples, but being in greasy environments does. If you work at a restaurant, rinse your face every time you use the restroom.<ref name="rf6">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acne/basics/causes/con-20020580</ref> |
==Related Articles== | ==Related Articles== | ||
*[[Start Using Accutane]] | *[[Start Using Accutane]] | ||
