According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you shouldn't pop pick, scratch, or squeeze pimples, because you can wind up with more inflammation redness, and possible scarring. But if you insist on throwing caution to the wind, here are some tips for minimizing the trauma to your delicate facial skin and helping prevent an infection.
1. Take a warm shower or bath to soften your skin.
2. Wash your face and remove all makeup.
3. Wash your hands to prevent spreading germs and infecting the pimple.
4. Sterilize a needle by washing it with a little dishwashing soap and then dunking it into rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide for 20 seconds.
5. Use the needle to gently prick the white tip of the pimple.
6. Wrap pieces of clean tissue or toilet paper around your index fingers.
7. Gently apply pressure to the sides of the pimple to ease out the pus. Stop when blood or clear fluid comes out.
Before popping a zit, sterilize a needle with dishwashing soap and rubbing alcohol.
