Can pimples on the face be squeezed?

Under normal circumstances, facial pimples should not be squeezed arbitrarily.

Pimples are essentially an inflammatory reaction of the pilosebaceous unit. When squeezing pimples with your hands, you directly damage the skin's normal structure, including the epidermis and dermis. This is similar to damaging the exterior walls and load-bearing walls of a house, which can impair the skin's barrier function, allowing external bacteria and pollutants to enter the deeper layers of the skin more easily and worsen the inflammatory response. The hands carry numerous bacteria, which can enter the pimple and surrounding skin tissue during the squeezing process, potentially causing a broader infection. A small, localized pimple might develop into a larger infected area after squeezing and could even lead to systemic infection.

Squeezing pimples can injure the dermis, damaging collagen and elastic fibers within it. During the skin's healing process, if the repair mechanism doesn't function properly, scars may form. The inflammatory response can also stimulate melanocytes to produce excessive melanin, leading to hyperpigmentation and the appearance of dark spots at the pimple site, affecting facial aesthetics.

The correct approach is to maintain facial cleanliness by using gentle cleansers and skincare products suitable for your skin type, avoiding overly oily or harsh products. Consider using therapeutic products containing ingredients like salicylic acid or phenoxyethanol to help reduce pimples. Additionally, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits such as adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and moderate exercise can also improve skin condition. If acne is severe or persists, seek professional help from a dermatologist. The doctor will develop a personalized treatment plan based on the type, severity of acne, and individual skin characteristics, which may include topical medications, oral medications, phototherapy, or other treatments to safely and effectively address acne problems.