What can take the fun out of a great party that you have been dying to go to, a big date that you were waiting eagerly for, or a client meeting where you need to make a presentation?
Simple! It’s a pimple.
Nothing is as unsightly as waking up to an ugly pimple. A reflex action might be to just pop it off. However, before you give into this temptation there are certain things that you should know. Popping that pimple may just be as harmful as it easy to do.

To Pop or Not to Pop
Popping a pimple would be the easiest way to get rid of it and get instant satisfaction. But while you gleam in the glory of having banished the pimple, you might as well be ready for the consequences thereof. When you pick or pop a pimple, you are actually causing the dirt and bacteria to move deeper into your skin. This causes swelling and redness of the area. And to think of long term, popping pimples can leave a permanent scar on you. And deeper ones cannot even be rubbed away with anti-marks solutions. You might have to go in for laser treatment.

Most pimples go away with time. If want to fuel the process, you could go in for some sot treatments. Look for ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid in anti acne treatments that are known to work best in curing acne. Apply about 3 times a day and watch your pimples dry out. However, cut down on the application if excessive dryness occurs. Also you could try using a clay mask that contains either kaolin or bentonite that you can leave on overnight.

Acne Skin Care Products
Here are some great acne care products that may do wonders for you:

• Obagi Clenziderm MD Normal to Oily skin is clinically proven to identify the potential causes of acne and rectify them at root level. It also clears the skin of any pimples and blemishes and makes way for smooth flawless skin!

• iS Clinical Active Serum corrects the skin situation and clears it of all forms of acne be it pimples, inflammations, blackheads or whiteheads.

Pop Smartly
If there is no time at all and popping the pimple is just unavoidable, then you might as well go ahead and do it. However, there is a right way to do it. Though professional handling is always the best, here are some ways you can reduce the likeliness of any damage whatsoever:

• Never pop a pimple that it not ripe. If there is just a painful red bump and no white top containing yellowish pus beneath surface, then take it as a cue that the pimple is not ready to be popped. Trying to pop it may only make the pan worse and the bump more noticeable.

• Thoroughly wash your face and hands before you begin the popping process so that you are free of all oil, dirt and bacteria.

• Touch the pimple with a warm washcloth and let it stay there for about 1-2 minutes. This will open up the skin pore and the pimple can be popped more easily.

• Never pop a pimple with bare hands. Even if you have clean washed fingers, the natural oils therein will get spread there thus causing more pimples to erupt. Rather wrap a tissue or toilet paper around your fingers for the task. This will ensure that there is a barrier within the skin on your face and your fingers and also you will have a better grip.

• Press gently and press in the downward direction so that the pus is forced up and out instead of moving deeper into the pore. Wipe of the pus that comes out immediately. Don’t squeeze too hard and don’t repeat it more than once or there can be bleeding and swelling.

Dr. Marilynn Syrett graduated from Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine Of The Pacific in 1998 and has a keen interest in the use and effectiveness of skin care products and acne skin treatments.