Attacking Your Zit

I was telling partner in crime Emma that I have been consuming way too much sugar lately. This has contributed to the most painful zit I have had in awhile. If you are going to attempt to pop your zit remember a few little rules so that the infection won't spread to other parts of your face or body. 

• Wait until the pimple is fully developed on the surface and the white center is nearly bursting on its own.
• Wash your hand thoroughly, especially the fingertips and under the nails, to get rid of any bacteria that could contaminate the already infected pimple. You may want to consider using sterile gloves or a gauze square.
• Take a sterile, finely tipped needle and lance the center. Sterilizing a needle is simple. Run the needle tip through an open flame such as a match or lighter for a few seconds and keep it free from touching anything on the counter or table.
• Next gently squeeze the zit taking extra tissue from around the zit. Give equal amounts of pressure on every side. Continue until a clear liquid or blood comes out. Do not squeeze after the cleansing clear liquid is visible. The pimple cells should heal in a day or two.
• Use a clean, napkin, toilet tissue or Kleenex to dab away the liquid. Be careful not to spread it beyond the open zit.
• Wash your hands again and prepare for the next step.
• If there is swelling, you may want to apply a cold washcloth in which ice has been wrapped and hold it against the open zit for a few minutes.
• When your squeezing procedure is finished, dab a good amount of hydrogen peroxide on the open pore and use an ointment containing a healing agent such as 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide as a topical solution. I have used Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel (£31.00) for bad cases and it works really well. I have found a discounted website here - posting takes a little longer but beats most prices.
• It is imperative that you wash your fingers between squeezing each zit if you want to bring your acne under control. Bacteria will implant itself under your nails and carry those germs to the next pimple or blackhead.
• Attempting to squeeze a pimple or a blackhead that is not mature and below the surface will lead to flare-ups. The most important thing to understand is that if a zit is under the surface and you dig at it, you will push bacteria further down into the pimple causing more infection and usually a larger breakout in a few days.
  If you have a stubborn zit that you simply cannot leave alone there are a few steps you can take to rush along its maturing process.
• Sterilize your hands to the best of your ability or use sterilized gauze pads.
• Prepare a mixture of 1/4 tsp. salt in about 1/2 cup of hot water. Use a gauze pad to dip into the hot water and then place the soaked cloth on your pimple or blackhead holding it there for several minutes. The heat will soften the blemish and draw the liquids to the surface. You may need to do it more than once. It is best not to squeeze until the white center is visible and appears to be ripe.
• Once popped, be sure to use a 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide Restoring lotion to kill as much bacteria as possible.