Pimples – to pop or not to pop?
Every now and then, we all have to deal with a pimple appearing on our forehead, nose or chin. They crop up on these areas of the face, collectively known as the T-zone, because this is where sebaceous glands are concentrated. These glands are what cause the skin to be greasier in certain areas. They secrete an oily substance, better known as sebum, which protects your skin from drying out.
Blocked sebaceous glands result in a build-up of bacteria, which in turn inflame the area. The body responds to this infection and sends white blood cells to combat the bacteria. This results in pus and a pimple becomes visible. There are various different causes of blocked pores:
Nutrition
What you eat and drink has a direct impact on your skin. This is because certain foods result in increased hormone secretion, which affects the production of sebum. For example, skin impurities can be caused by chocolate, cola drinks, or mature cheeses such as parmesan. You should also avoid certain white flour products as much as possible and replace them with whole grain products. Whey protein shakes that workout enthusiasts consume after a gym session can throw their hormone levels out of balance due to their highly concentrated protein content. When cooking, replace sunflower oil with rapeseed oil. If you want to snack, opt for vegetables and homemade dip instead of crisps. Turmeric has an anti-inflammatory effect, so feel free to indulge in Asian cuisine more frequently, but make sure the dishes aren't too spicy. Red berries have a positive anti-inflammatory effect due to their plant pigment.
Skin care
Pimples can be caused by using the wrong skin-care products. For instance, if a product is too aggressive for your skin, it can dry it out. The skin responds by producing more sebum, which then blocks the pores. The basic rule for skin care is: less is more. Instead of using serums, exfoliants and creams, simply washing your face with lukewarm water is often good enough. To prevent your skin from drying out, you can use a moisturising cream, if necessary. Make sure these products are oil-free. If you have a pimple, it's best to treat it with a product that contains salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is anti-inflammatory and helps loosen flaky skin deposits and thickened skin. Face washes that contain benzoyl peroxide can also help treat acne, pimples or blackheads. Allow your skin to breathe by not covering it up with make-up which blocks the pores even more and traps dirt, grease and bacteria onto your skin.
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Medication and hormones
Certain medications can mess with your hormones which in turn has an impact on your sebum production. This is often the case for women who are on the contraceptive pill. Acne can be a side effect if the pills contain only gestagens. Women with skin blemishes are usually prescribed an appropriate contraceptive. However, if you stop taking the pill, this can have an impact on your complexion and significantly worsen the acne (known as acne tarda or late-onset acne). High-dose vitamin supplements, particularly B12, can also trigger acne. Stress is another factor that can negatively affect your hormonal balance. This also results in increased sebum production, which is triggered by the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline.
Should I pop it: yes or no?
Hands off! Even if an overripe pimple is begging for you to pop it, it's recommended that you don't give in because squeezing the inflamed skin disrupts its own healing process. This can cause the skin to tear and the pimple site can start to bleed. The newly created wound can then trap more bacteria, and the pimple process starts all over again. If you squeeze a pimple so forcefully that it starts to bleed, the result can be unwelcome scars that won't easily fade.
If you're struggling with acne and can no longer get your skin under control, it's worth getting dermatological advice. The medical specialists at santé24 are available to you 24 hours a day as your first point of contact.
08.02.2023
