Of course, the intensity of this is ten times more when
there’s an important function coming up, and worse still
if it’s your big day itself. That’s when all hell
breaks loose. You curse the huge chunks of pickle that you ate,
the chocolates and coffees that you couldn’t stop gorging
on and simply hate the mangoes you gobbled one after the other
like a glutton. Stop there! The culprit is YOU. Wondering when,
how and why…well, remember the time you kept pricking that
pimple?
Pimples are usually a result of clogged or infected pores and
generally develop after blackheads or whiteheads have become infected.
Avni Amlani, Dermalogica India’s Education Director, says,
“Poor hygiene as well as bad extraction techniques cause
the spread of bacteria both from above and below the stratum corneum.
Bacteria live anaerobically (without oxygen) and they feed on
sebum. Thus, when a follicle becomes blocked, there is no air
and plenty of food. This causes the bacteria to multiply, causing
irritation and inflammation.”
Believe it or not, pricking pimples is a disease. Scientifically
known as Dermatitis Factitia, people suffering from it can even
go to the extent of taking extreme steps such as cutting, tearing,
piercing, burning, or slashing themselves to prick pimples. Of
course, not all those who prick a pimple necessarily suffer from
Dermatitis Factitia; however, the bottom line undoubtedly remains
that squeezing a pimple does not help you to get rid of it; instead,
it amplifies the problem.
Avni says, “When a pimple is squeezed, not only does the
bacteria spread on the skin, thus spreading infection and possibility
of blemishes (scars), but the pressure of squeezing can also cause
the follicle wall to rupture; thus, there is spreading of bacteria
in the surrounding tissues and cells, causing scarring in some
cases and acne prick marks (dents in the skin).”
While there are certain basic things such as drinking plenty of
water, eating the right food, and exercising regularly that help
prevent the problem of pimples, there are several products and
treatments with active ingredients that also help in getting rid
of those unsightly marks.
So, get wise and don’t torture your skin by pricking the
pimple, ’cause you now know how pricking one can literally
be a reason for several more.
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