Can picking pimples on the face cause scars and acne?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am freaking out right now over acne. I did not know why, but I started breaking out in rashes and pimples on my cheeks. I did not know how to treat it. It made me stressed, so I picked at my skin. There was a pimple on the corner of my lip.

I coated it in vaseline, tried not to touch it, and could not put a bandage over it because it was right next to my lip. I splashed my face with water in the morning, and at night and patted on some coconut oil because a lot of products broke me out. I popped and kept squeezing it, and then I did the same thing to the two tiny pimples next to it.

Now the skin is swollen, and I am so afraid because I do not want a scar. But I have no idea what to do.

Please suggest.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and understand your concern.

Your problem is acne vulgaris. Acne vulgaris is a common skin concern in adolescents and may sometimes persist in adulthood. It is a skin disorder involving pilosebaceous follicles, or oil glands, and is seen to include areas where oil glands are dense.

Face, chest, back, and upper arms are the common sites of involvement. In females, it may also occur in association with menstrual irregularities or PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). You must follow certain dietary restrictions like avoiding oily and spicy food, junk food, milk products, and non-vegetarian food. Drink lots of water, which hydrates your skin, and avoid applying hair oil, because it can aggravate your forehead acne.

You can use topical antibiotic cream, like one percent Clindamycin gel, over the pimples in the daytime and topical retinoids like 0.1 percent Adapalene gel, at night daily for a few months. These topical retinoid gels can slightly irritate your skin. So, they should be used in low quantities.

If irritation persists, stop using it immediately. You can use Cutiwash face wash, an alcohol and acetone-free cleanser, or soft soap twice daily. Have a review after four weeks.

I hope this answers your query.

Let me know if I need to assist you further.

Thank you.