Skin Care Tip of the Week *The correct way to extract a blemish*

Monday, February 20, 2012

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One of the most common mistakes I see people make when it comes to their skin is popping a zit (lets call it what it is) incorrectly.

By incorrectly extracting a blemish you can push the sebum and bacteria deeper into your skin causing one giant zit and infection. You also run the risk of spreading the bacteria to the surrounding areas.

How to correctly extract a blemish:
  1. Always make sure your hands and skin are clean before you start.
  2. It is best to extract a blemish after a shower or after you have steamed your face. Steam and warm water helps to open your pores, making the extraction easier.
  3. Wrap your pointer fingers in tissue paper and gently press down and up into the blemish.
  4. Use a slight wiggle back and fourth motion while applying pressure.
  5. DO NOT squeeze the blemish straight on or use your nails to try to extract it, this will only irritate your skin and will not remove the built up sebum.
  6. If your blemish is ready to be extracted, it should come out without a fight. If it is not ready do not force it. Leave it be until it is.
  7. After your extractions, apply a topical agent such as tea tree oil to help speed up the healing and close the pore.

I also do not suggest using a comedone extractor unless you REALLY know what you are doing. This can cause scarring and damage if done incorrectly.

Hope this little tip helps the next time you are faced with an unwelcome friend!

19 comments:

Lindsay said...

This is a great tip Linds! I didn't realize that right after a shower would be the best time to extract a pimple Good to know!

Chunny said...

Awts. I hate pimples. Thank you for sharing this. =)


http://sassychunny.blogspot.com/

Stephanie @ henry happened said...

I should have been a dermatologist because I am oddly fascinated with this! I've never tried the tissue paper - thanks for the great tip!

Lindsay said...

So helpful. One of my friends swears by her extractor, but the thought of doing it myself freaked me out. I'll stick to these tips!

Unknown said...

Great tips! I've never thought about doing it right after taking a shower but of course that makes sense!

Unknown said...

i can attest to tea tree oil. REALLY works!! :) thanks for the tips. you are totally my 'online' skin care expert!!!

Sarah said...

This is good to know. I actually get so squeamish doing it that I make my SIL do it for me lol.


- Sarah
http://agirlintransit.blogspot.com

Anna Elder said...

Love this tip. I always do this…but only if it MUST be popped. Otherwise I just put treatment on and try to keep my hands off. I used to be REALLY bad about picking at my face bc of blackheads. But I'm hands-off these days. :)

Unknown said...

I so wish I would have read this about a week ago! Sometimes - especially if plenty of school stress has built up - I just can't keep myself from picking at my face until I look like a meth addict. New "Be Healthy Goal" = be kind to my skin, treat it well and if an unwelcome friend comes to visit, follow these instructions and then leave.it.alone!! :)

Anonymous said...

Great tips!
♥ Shia

Anonymous said...

ow ow ow! i'll admit i've been guity of using my fingernails in desperate situations. and while i'm doing it i always think "this is so bad."

Anonymous said...

what about the ones that aren't "ready", but hurt? I've had a few where the pressure is so great it can actually give me a headache. They aren't always the kind that stay under the skin either, although how would you get rid of those if they cause a lot of pain? Sometimes they are just not ready, but I am because of the physical pain I cause. Is there a way to go about getting rid of them while also limiting skin damage? (sorry for the multi-layered question >.<)

Andrea @ Strawberry Chic said...

I'm so glad you posted this...I am always hearing that you should NEVER pop your zits...and I try not to, but sometimes you just have too! Thanks for the tips and for the sweet comment on my blog today :)

Stephanie said...

Does the tea tree oil really help? I'm allergic to absolutely everything, but I've heard tea tree oil really works!

Lindsay @ Delighted Momma said...

silentmist- any breakout that is not ready to be extracted unfortunately needs to be left alone until it is. If it is really bothering you, you can make an appointment with your local esthetican to have it lanced and professionally removed. I do not recommend you do this by yourself, as it can cause scarring and damage if done incorrectly. Using a clay mask (I did a post on this) can help bring those stubborn underground ones to the surface.

Lindsay @ Delighted Momma said...

Stephanie- it REALLY works :) If you have sensitive skin you may want to try diluting it with water to start out with and only use it as a spot treatment for acne.

Alexa said...

I really have to remember the "after the shower" part. I always go in there, look in the mirror and am obviously horrified I have to act immediately. But this is a good lesson.

Welcome said...

This is literally my skin this week, three pimples- lovely one on my chin! It just kills me! Great tips!

SHUG IN BOOTS {Beth} said...

In # 4, when you say press down and up into the blemish, do you mean, apply pressure around the blemish and then move your fingers in toward it, but don't actually squeeze? (Because if it's ready, the squeezing isn't necessary?) Sorry. :) I'll have to send this to my husband. He is forever trying to "pop" zits on MY BODY and I tell him he needs to step away. Weirdo. Glad to hear the baby is doing well. Somehow, you got deleted from blogs I follow and it took me awhile to find you again. :)

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