To squeeze, or not to squeeze: that is the question: (answer by Fatma Gunduz)

Let’s face it we all know the answer if we are really honest with ourselves. 

And if you are not so sure why we the answer is definitely NOT then it’s essential that you keep on reading to find out why I want my clients to leave those pesky spots alone - even during lockdown, no matter how tempting and annoying they are.

1. Squeezing and popping a spot can and will push the pus and bacteria deeper into the skin causing more damage and spreading to re-create another inflamed acne pimple.

2. Do enough squeezing and you may even turn that regular pimple into a more serious type of blemish, like a nodule (a hard, red, painful blemish deep within the skin) or an acne cyst,  this is the most serious a blemish can get and once infected may need a medical professional to remove.

3.)  Another cause of concern which will end up being costly in the future is long term acne scarring. Every time your skin is damaged there's a possibility that, as the skin heals, tissue will be lost. That's how you get depressed or pitted acne scars. The greater the damage done to the skin, the greater the chance of tissue loss.  You will have to invest  in treatments such a microneedling and lasers to help improve the texture to correct the damage.

4.) If your skin heals without any scarring then squeezing will leave a dark mark on the face. This is known as post inflammatory pigmentation. This is because the blemish will have inflammation and as the skin heals this leaves pigmentation on the skin and in some unfortunate cases no popping at all may also result in the same outcome.

So, in a nutshell the answer is a definite ‘not to’. Leave the spots alone, hard as it is.

And leave the scabs alone from the spots you squeezed before.

So what do you do about that spot (or spots). If your skin is suffering from breakout right now the best option is to use skin care products that control the overproduction of sebum; prevent congestion, dirt and bacteria clogging the pores itself with a good skin care routine. There are also good, effective, corrective products that treat pigmentation from old scarring as well as products that reduce the risk of post inflammatory pigmentation. 

And if you’re unsure about which ingredients, products or skin care routine would work best for your skin book in for your personal online review - during lockdown these are completely complimentary.

But most importantly, please remember, that the answer is very definitely NOT to squeeze.

by Fatma Gundux

Senior Aesthetician (and “Queen of Facials”)