Pimples, whiteheads and blackheads are forms of acne. Acne is perhaps the most common among skin ailments that largely affect men and women alike within the age group of 12 to 24 years. Many people are of the opinion that the presence of pimples on the face, especially the cheeks and forehead could greatly affect their aesthetics. They therefore seek to break the pimple as soon as it appears on the face.



Pores of the skin are blocked by accumulation of dirt, sweat and oil secretions. Such secretions lead to white cysts known as whiteheads or cause blackheads when exposed to air. An infected blackhead or whitehead gives way to a pus filled pimple. These pimples are also known as pustules or papules and can cause severe inflammation of the affected area. As the sebum from within the sebaceous glands keeps collecting under the skin the pimple grows in size. There is a lot of debate about popping pimples and while some people believe that it is helpful others believe that it causes permanent scarring. To understand the arguments both for and against popping pimples, it is important to understand the stages of pimple formation. Sebum is produced in the sebaceous glands located in the lower layers of our skin. This sebum slowly rises through the pores of the skin and reaches the surface where it forms a very thin film of oil. This film acts as a barrier between the surface of the skin and the environment. In the first stage of pimple formation, a blockage of dead skin cells within the skin pore combines with the sebum to form a thick plug. At this time, you may not even notice that you have a pimple. The sebaceous gland continues to produce sebum and within a day or two a tiny pocket of sebum forms within your skin. Your skin has bacteria within it and this bacteria feeds on the sebum within your skin. Under normal circumstances their numbers are so small that they are of no consequence. However, when a pocket of sebum forms, the bacteria start to increase very rapidly as they have surplus nutrition. The skin around this inflamed area starts to thicken and soon a papule forms. Even if the blockage is cleared at this stage and the excess sebum removed from the inflamed skin pore, there is a hollow scar that remains. There are those who believe that popping pimples at the earliest stage will prevent the pocket of sebum from forming and this will allow the skin to heal without the formation of a hollow scar. This would mean that the blockage would need to be removed as soon as one notices it, and one of the only ways to do this is through popping pimples. However, there are many who disagree and claim that popping a pimple can damage the sensitive and delicate facial tissue and cause even more extensive damage as compare to the scarring caused by the pimple itself. You will need to consult your dermatologist or doctor on how to get rid of pimples by popping them and he/she will be able to advise you on methods of popping pimples and ways to prevent infection and scarring. Even if you decide to pop your pimples, make sure that you are very gentle and do not use excessive pressure as this could cause lasting scars. Pooping a pimple with a needle could cause blood to ooze out and is therefore dangerous and can also cause scarring that would be difficult to get rid of.

Pimples Symptoms

Pimples Common Symptoms

Some of the common symptoms associated with the eruption of a pimple are:



• Inflammation of Surrounding Areas: This is one of the most common symptoms of acne and as soon as you notice this, you should take appropriate steps. If you decide that popping pimples is the best method of treatment, you should pop it at this stage if possible. To allow the trapped sebum to come to the surface, it would be best to steam your face for at least 20 minutes or so as the steam will help to lubricate your pores and allow the sebum to be extracted. Do not use sharp implements to remove the blocked sebum but instead you can gently press down on either side of the pimple so as to force the blockage out. Make sure that you do not use your nails to do this or you can cause permanent damage.

• Tiny Cysts: By the time that a cyst has formed, you can be sure that there is quite a bit of sebum collected in the affected skin pore. In addition to popping pimples that have reached this stage, you can also resort to a simple pimple treatment to help to dissolve the sebum plug. Sebum is basically made up of fats and fats dissolve in acid. You can make a paste out of fuller’s earth and lemon juice or apple cider vinegar and apply this paste to the affected area. This is one of the most effective remedies for pimples as it helps to dissolve the blockage. You can also put a small amount of this paste on a cottonball and tape it in place for the night. It is not advisable to use this remedy if you have sensitive skin. You can then steam your face in the morning and then proceed with popping your pimple.



• Redness around the Protrusion: It is one of the most common symptoms of acne. If you have not yet treated your pimple, there are very high chances that you will suffer from scarring. If you have decided against popping pimples, it would be wise to use some alternate form of treatment. You can simply use a face pack regularly along with a deep cleaning mask to help clear out the blockage and get rid of your pimple.



• Pus filled Eruptions: It is the last stage of a pimple and in most cases the pimple will burst by itself. FI you want to speed this along without actually popping your pimple, you can apply a hot moist towel to the area. This will help to increase blood circulation to the area and will allow the pimple to come to the head quickly.

Pimples Causes

Pimples Symptoms, Causes, Remedy and Diet

Key Pimple Causes

Pimples cannot be attributed to any one reason. Pimples can be caused due to a combination of circumstances such as diet, age and lifestyle habits. Excessive heat in the body caused by intake of certain medicines could also result in pimples. The key causes that lead to pimples are:



• Hormonal imbalance during puberty



• Improper diet and food intake



• Improper skin care



• Low water intake



• Use of oily cosmetics or creams



• Stress



• Constipation



• Sedentary habits

Pimples Remedy

Pimples home remedies and natural cures, Questions and answers

How to Get Rid of Pimples with Natural Remedies

Whether good or bad, if seeking overnight, one day treatment for pimples and pimple marks at home, one should remember that it is not practically possible. There are a wide variety of tried and tested home remedies that can treat pimples in an effective manner. These home remedies could be used for pimples on the back as well. Some popularly known pimple remedies are:



• Pimples can disappear without scars by rubbing garlic on pimples several times a day. Make sure that you do not do this very vigorously or you will break the skin and this can cause intense burning when the raw skin comes in contact with fresh garlic juice.



• Apply lemon or orange peel, pounded to paste with water on pimple affected areas regularly. You can also add this powder to a little gram flour and honey so that it forms a thick paste. Massage this paste into your skin as it will help to cleanse your skin as well as nourish it.



• Grated cucumber applied over the face for fifteen minutes and then washed with water can help prevent pimples, blackheads and dryness of the face. If you have been popping your pimples, it would be advisable to use this home remedy for pimples to help soothe the inflamed asking. This remedy will also help to fortify your skin and keep it well moisturized. You can also use this pimple remedy at other times as a preventative measure to keep your skin free of pimples.



• Mix a teaspoon of honey with half teaspoon each of camphor lotion and tomato juice. Apply this mixture on the pimples and wash after fifteen minutes with lukewarm water followed by cold water. This also helps lighten spots or marks left by pimples.

Pimples Diet

Pimples : Home Remedies suggested by users

Diet for Pimples

Food intake and control is an important step in arresting the growth of pimples. Pimples can be controlled by adhering to simple pimple diet tips such as:
- Avoid excessive consumption of oily, fried and sugar foods.
- Control and ensure limited intake of tea, coffee and alcohol - Diet must comprise of fresh vegetables, fruits and nuts.
- Keep the diet focus on low calories and high fiber foods and have a balanced meal.

Pimples Other Suggestions

Regular exercise and a proper skin care regime are beneficial

A sedentary lifestyle, stress and indigestion are some of the causes that lead to pimples. Simple exercises such as walking, jogging, swimming are stress busters and can also help treat indigestion apart from preventing pimples and other skin ailments.

Use non oily makeup and follow an appropriate skin cleansing regime. Avoid use of products containing isopropyl isostearate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl myristate, socetyl stearate & sodium chloride which may aggravate pimples.