Don’t pop that spot! This dermatologist-approved acne hack will prevent your skin from scarring
Tried and tested
Say goodbye to the post-acne hyperpigmentation struggle—this two-step spot-busting routine tackles breakouts effortlessly.
The tension between a pimple and a good, cathartic pop can only be summed up in one word: magnetic. If you’re anything like me, the urge to pop a zit can often be all-encompassing. Look, I know it’s bad. I know it’s going to do nothing but make things worse. Yet, here I am—face to face with my pus-filled foe and the will to pick, scratch and squeeze is just too tempting to pass up. The longer I stare, the less I can recall why popping a zit is so bad after all.
Why bother waiting a week for my spot treatment to work its magic when instant gratification is what I really crave? When I’ve got spot-popping tunnel vision, I don’t care what havoc it leaves behind.
At least, that was the case until I came across a reel by dermatologist Dr Aegean Chan. As a dual board-certified dermatologist, Dr Chan is committed to demystifying skincare through an unbiased, evidence-based lens—that’s exactly why I trust any beauty hacks she throws my way.
Dr Chan’s video was exactly what I needed to snap out of my pro-pop haze. For a start, she asserts that squeezing pimples is the biggest cause of hyperpigmentation and scarring. She also adds that popping a zit has never led to a pimple going away faster (and, in my experience, it usually means that the zit comes back with a vengeance. On top of that, there’s also a chance that the popped pimple might become an oozing, open wound. This would make it pretty much impossible for you to cover it up with makeup.
View this post on Instagram
As for what she recommends instead? Well, the routine is actually very simple. Dr Chan starts by dabbing a little anti-inflammatory medication on the zit. “I’m using prescription dapsone gel, but you could use salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide gel,” she asserts in the video’s caption. Then, once you’ve treated the spot and let the treatment sink into your skin a little, follow up with an acne hydrocolloid patch to finish off the routine. That’s it!
READ: The best spot and acne treatments and patches to treat your breakouts
It was good timing, really. When trying this hack, my skin was a minefield of breakouts, which meant that I had plenty of real estate to test on. In short, it worked wonders. Overnight, my spots had completely flattened and there was barely any scarring. Then, as the week went on, the dark marks faded completely, leaving me with clear skin once again. All in all, it’s a hack I’ll be coming back to time and time again.
For more skincare reads, click here.
| SHARE THE STORY | |
| Explore More |
