If You’re Going To Pop Your Pimples, a Derm Is Begging You To Follow These 4 Steps

There should be a word for the half-annoyed, half-delighted feeling that is waking up with a gigantic pimple. On the one hand, acne is a drag (understatement of the century); on the other, it’s strangely satisfying to channel your inner-Dr. Pimple Popper and do some extracting. So to make sure you’re taking advantage of these bittersweet, acne vulgaris moments, we asked dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, for the perfect pimple-popping protocol to adopt the next time you wake up with a spec on your face.

Chances are you can spot a white head when you see one, but here’s the deal. “A white head’s technical, scientific name is a closed comedone,” says Dr. Gohara. “It’s essentially just a tiny little inflammatory lesion that has keratin or skin proteins, and sometimes some bacteria and skin cells, all jumbled up under that little dome.”

Acne Vulgaris is one of those fun, long-term issues that can crop any time from puberty to menopause, explains Dr. Gohara. While there are any number of causes for acne, the most common include hormonal fluctuations, a genetic tendency toward oil or sebaceous skin, or even the products you put on your skin.

The theme here? A lot of the causes of acne are out of your control, which perhaps makes popping your pimples even more satisfying. And even though dermatologists generally recommend leaving your face the f*** alone and never popping your pimples, there is a right way to go about it if you can’t resist. (Unless it’s a pimple inside your nose—never pop those.)

Ahead, Dr. Gohara offers her step-by-step advice for extracting a pimple at home.

How to pop a white head, according to a dermatologist

Step 1: Wash thy hands and thy face

This one might sound like a great big “duh,” but it’s absolutely necessary. Wash your hands with soap and water and gently cleanse your face before going at that pimple. You don’t want to be introducing any new bacteria into your skin, so cleanliness is key.

CeraVe Foaming Face Wash — $15.00

Step 2: Extract the pimple using a comedone extractor

Give your thumbs the day off and opt for a comedone extractor instead. Dr. Gohara recommends looping the tool around the white spec and applying gentle pressure until the white head comes loose. When you’re done using the tool, make sure to give it a wash with your cleanser so it’s ready for future use.

Stainless Steel Pimple Extractor — $20.00

Step 3: Rewash your face and place your pimple patch over the extraction

Once you’ve re-cleansed your face to eliminate any stray white gunk, apply a pimple patch. “Make sure your pimple patch has a colloid dressing because this helps to speed up wound healing, bring down any inflammation, and protect the area so you can’t touch it anymore,” says Dr. Gohara.

Starface Hydro-Stars — $15.00

Step 4: Check on it the next day

Wash your face normally. If you notice that your nemesis—aka, the white head—is still lingering, use a tiny bit of benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid spot treatment. Dermatologist’s orders.

Murad Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment — $24.00

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