Dr Pimple Popper reveals her ultimate spot-popping secrets - including why you should always shower first and use a heat compact
She has over 2.5 BILLION views across her Youtube channel, a cool 8 million followers across social media, and has squeezed more spots than Kylie has sold lip kits. We're talking sweat spots, bacne, blackheads and big puss-filled pustules.
But what makes , so mesmerising? And what are her top tips for a successful squeeze? As her new show, Dr Pimple Popper airs on TLC across the UK, we catch up with the Dr herself to find out.
“I don’t actually recommend popping anything”
As a dermatologist, I actually don’t recommend popping anything at all at home. But I also know that many of us are pickers and poppers and if you are going to do it, I want to tell you the best way to avoid scarring or aggravating the skin even more.
“Know WHAT to pop”
You should only attempt to pop a pimple which has a fully formed head. We call this a pustule and usually they’re only covered by a very thin, superficial layer of skin so can be easily popped. The more superficial, the better, as you’ll cause less trauma to the skin and it’s less likely to scar.
If it’s a cyst (a deeper, under-the-skin lump), a milia (a small white lump) or a mole – don’t even think about it. You’ll just make it far, far worse or cause more serious issues for yourself.
“Encourage the pimple”
Before popping, always encourage the pimple to come to the surface. A pimple is the result of an immune reaction where white cells and puss has collected to heal the bacterial invasion – you can bring all this closer to the skin surface using a hot compress. Just place it on the area for a few seconds a few times a day and be patient.
Acne
A step-by-step guide to banishing acne on every single part of your body
“Know when to stop”
The most important thing is to know when to stop. People can become totally fixated when squeezing a pimple but you’ve got to know when enough is enough. As a general rule, I would say that if the pimple hasn’t popped after 30 seconds of squeezing, you have to walk away. Set an alarm on your phone to time yourself - pimple popping is the ultimate time warp and people often don’t realise just how long they’re digging around in one spot. If you really can’t stop yourself and you keep going back for more, even after the 30-second deadline, put a band-aid on it.
“Keep everything clean”
It goes without saying that you should wash your hands before touching your skin, and especially before popping pimples. I’d even recommend showering beforehand, not just from a hygiene perspective, but also to open up the pores and soften the skin. Afterwards, use an antiseptic cream or something with salicylic acid to make sure the area is properly cleansed. Oh, and steralise any popping tools with rubbing alcohol.
“I think people find it relaxing”
People do it because they find it relaxing – it’s a problem that gets resolved, and that is satisfying. But there’s a difference with that and with skin picking disorder, when people are compelled to obsessively pick their spots, and can really cause serious damage to their skin. I think in those cases, or when there’s a risk of scarring or severe acne, you should always seek help from a dermatologist. Acne scars and skin issues can have a huge emotional toll that you carry for life, so it shouldn’t be dismissed. That’s the message I want to get across – yes, I entertain but I also educate. I want people to understand their skin and know what treatments are available.
Check out our roundup of the best spot-busting acne treatments
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Drying Lotion, £16,
The classic blemish treatment is formulated with a holy trinity of acne-fighting ingredients including salicylic acid, sulfur, and zinc oxide, which help draw out stubborn impurities and shrinks pesky spots while you sleep.
The drying lotion is also perfect for cystic acne, thanks to the addition of calamine lotion, which soothes the skin and reduces redness while you sleep, and salicylic acid, which penetrates deep into the pores, exfoliates skin cells and reduces sebum production.
It seems that Badescu's magic in a bottle is working wonders, as shoppers on Amazon have been leaving five-star reviews and impressive pictures of their skin transformations for the bestseller.
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KILLA, £27 (8 x patches, 8 x swabs ),
Zitsticka's KILLA patches (excellent name, don't you think?) target deep, under-the-skin pimples with a potent combination of zit-zapping ingredients. Containing just five ingredients (including hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and niacinamide) the swipe and stick kit aims to dissolves blemishes at the source, rather than just treating the skin's surface. Blind pimples, begone! -
Super Spot Remover™ Blemish Treatment Gel, £16,
By combining the power of zit-zapping salicylic acid with skin-soothing red algae, Origins have concocted one powerful spot stopping solution. And it seems you guys love it too, as it was awarded with 'Best Blemish Treatment' in the GLAMOUR Beauty Power List 2018. -
EridiKate Acne Treatment, £22,
The cult US brand has only recently landed in the UK and it’s already proving to be a hit. It contains 10% sulfur that dries out spots, alpha hydroxy acids that reduce the appearance of enlarged pores and zinc oxide that absorbs excess oil. Perfect for those bumps you can feel but can’t yet see. -
Overnight Clearing Gel, £46.50,
Pricey but spot sufferers swear by this stuff that contains salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid and tea tree that helps clear spots, calm redness and stop bumps from re-appearing, all while you sleep. -
Clear Skin Clearing Treatment, £37,
If your spots are leaving unsightly marks, this formula works hard to not only fight blemishes but also fade any existing marks without being too drying, -
10% Sulfur Paste, £19,
This magic potion also contains the ingredient-of-the-moment, sulfur, along with salicylic acid to calm, dry and exfoliate skin. -
These handy little patches from Korea can be popped on at night and are designed to pull out puss from pimples. The weightless patches help target spots and breakout-causing bacteria, whilst minimising the appearance of blemishes, redness and inflammation to leave skin clear, fresh and soothed. People who have tried the purse-friendly stickers can't stop raving about them.
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Effaclar Duo + Anti-Blemish Moisturiser, £16,
No one understands skin like the experts at La Roche Posay, who have relied on their skin-loving thermal spring water to remedy problematic skin for years. This wonder product is able to moisturise, control oil production and correct dark spots all at once. Genius.
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Offects TE-Pads Acne Pore Treatment Pads, £44.50,
Heralded as the king of the chemical peel, Dr Zein Obagi's at-home treatment regime is cosmecuetical skincare at its finest. These acne-fighting pads contain salicylic acid to hinder oil production and glycolic acid to enhance exfoliation, resulting in clearer, more radiant skin from first use.
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Salicylic Acid 2%, £4.20,
Believe it or not, the best thing about this product isn't the price (although, it's pretty great, right?). The hybrid of salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid proven to both prevent and treat blemishes) and witch hazel to reduce redness makes this serum a great product to add to your anti-acne arsenal.
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Dynaspot, £22,
Pop this cult classic on top of any spot and watch it disappear thanks to the combination of chamomile, tea tree oil and salicylic acid, allowing the formula to treat the blemish without drying out the skin around it.
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Blemish + Age Defense, £85,
The fact that this oil-free serum targets the signs of ageing as well as pesky blemishes makes it an instant favourite. Containing a potent wrinkle-reducing blend of acids, it works to detox congested pores and boost cell turnover.
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Acne On The Spot Superstar Serum, £105,
Patented anti-microbial ingredients, precious botanical complexes and high-grade salicylic acid makes this serum a powerful solution to your acne woes.
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Detoxifying Clay Mask, £45,
Showcasing activated volcanic ash and clay, this results-driven mask loosens stubborn blackheads and inhibits oil production, while tea tree oil and peppermint keeps skin calm.
