To pick or not to pick? That is the question!

Skincare enthusiasts from Texas to Timbuktu typically answer this question with a resounding, "No!!!" Let's be realistic, we all have that temptation. The odds are, that if you wake up the morning of a big business luncheon and an angry red monster is pulsating on the tip of your nose, you're probably going to pick. Who isn't? That is why, though it may be out of the ordinary for a skincare professional, I have decided to teach you how to be a responsible....well....picker.

There are four different types of clogged pores. The first type are blackheads. Everyone has blackheads, though some people have them worse than others. They should never be picked! A blackhead occurs in the follicle when dirt and debris form a plug. These pores don't fully close and are exposed to air that turns them brown or black.

Why shouldn't you pick them? Pimples are caused by a cocktail of  oil, debris, and bacteria. The bacteria in your pores live off of all the oil and debris, and when they have a plentiful food source they grow causing you to have inflammation. The inflammation seals off the opening to the pore and now you have the perfect habitat for bacteria to multiply! Thus, a monster is created. When you pick at blackheads your nails and fingers both spread bacteria, and give it a food source. Most importantly, picking your skin causes that pore to become inflamed and close up, giving any present bacteria the go ahead to go crazy. Picking blackheads causes self-induced acne. Just don't do it! (See below to learn how to treat blackheads.)

The second type of pimple is a whitehead. Whiteheads are safe to pick, IF you pick safely! A whitehead is what happens when the opening to your pore closes. A true whitehead is very superficial. It will most often rupture on it's own, but if time is an issue, here is what you do:

1. Heat the infected area. This helps bring the infection to the surface as well as soften the skin, and kill off some of that nasty bacteria. I generally will heat a spoon or a coffee mug of water and hold it on the blemish for a few minutes. (Be smart! Don't apply anything to the skin that is too hot! A burn is a much nastier scar than a blemish!!!!)

2. Wash your hands!

3. Take two clean cotton swabs and gently apply pressure around the blemish. Do not ever use your nails! Scratches and scars are not pretty! If the pimple does not rupture easily it's not ready. Poking and prodding it to death will only make it bigger! Keep applying heat over the next few days to speed up the process.

4. Blot.

5. Decrease the risk of causing surrounding blemishes by applying an ice cube to the affected area. (This will reduce inflammation!)

6. Dry that mean old monster up. Sulfur is a great drying ingredient for use on stand alone blemishes.

The last two forms of blemishes are papules and pustules. A papule is an infected pore that feels hard and painful to the touch. It will typically look like a bug bite and no pus will be visible on the surface. Picking these will ALWAYS end badly, causing infection, bad scarring, and other papules. You can reduce their size by applying an ice cube for a few minutes daily until the infection goes away. Many of them will go away on their own, but if they don't you will want to see a skincare professional for help. These can be exfoliated to the surface through professional spot treatments and eventually professional extraction. Be very cautious of over enthusiastic extractors! Severe pressure and/or deep punctures will only cause the infection to fester.

A pustule is similar to a papule, but typically has a yellow head due to the pus being close to the surface. These are often seen on acne clients. If you are having trouble with acne, it is never a  good idea to pick. Any amount of picking will cause inflammation and more acne trouble than one pimple is worth. If you get a pustule that stands alone, you may pick if it ruptures easily. If it does not, walk away for a day or two.

What do you do about blackheads and acne? They don't call us skincare professionals for nothing. Proper preparation and training can make extracting blackheads fairly safe, but leave it to the experts. Schedule a microdermabrasion or facial, and speak to your guru about proper home care. There are many treatment options for acne patients. In general, acne treatment protocols are decided upon on a case by case basis, but if you have acne, you will need professional help getting it under control. Doing so will be worth having those great results!

If you are in the Houston area, we are just a phone call away! All new Spa clients receive 20% off of their first facial! Contact 713-526-1220, or visit www.botoxhouston.com to book online.We would love to meet you!

-May your skin always glow, and your wisdom over-flow!

   M