True Or False: You Can Get A Scar From Picking A Pimple

We’ve constantly been told not to pick and prod at our when suffering from a breakout. This is good advice, but not perhaps because of why we think. Apparently many are under the assumption that popping our pimples will cause a scar, but this is a myth, says New York dermatologist Neal Schultz, MD. “It’s very difficult to pick a pimple so deeply so that you would get a hole or a raised scar. When you do pick your pimples it causes something much worse— it causes a flat brown stain or discoloration that is very hard to get rid of.” This happens because the skin thickens or darkens to protect itself from injury. Unfortunately, brown spots or hyperpigmentation is harder to clear up than a pimple itself and can take months to get rid of. If you do develop a darkening of the skin, Dr. Schultz recommends a treatment with bleaching chemicals like hydroquinone, creams and chemical exfoliates like glycolic acid or even microdermabrasion. So sit on those hands and leave extractions to the pros. Every pore is different and if you don’t understand the anatomy of the skin, you will end up making it a lot worse. If you’re tempted to pick, use an anti-acne gel with salicylic acid or sulfur and see a dermatologist or aesthetician for an immediate extraction.