Skin Republic

Dear Dr. Jen,

Why is it bad to pop my pimples?  My mother is always calling my attention to it.  From what I understand, I’m just doing what the spa lady does to my face. Am I doing any damage to my skin?

Remy

Dear Remy,

Many things can happen when you pop your pimple or pick on them.  While it is possible that no permanent damage is produced, it is also possible that you can cause worsening of your pimple.  When the pimple is popped, then drained, prodded and pressed upon improperly, it is possible for some of the pus to be pushed deeper into the underlying structures.  This will cause more follicles to be infected leading to spreading of the redness and swelling of the pimple.

Also, scars can be produced from repeated skin picking.  This will result in darkening over the pimple as well as unevenness of the skin.

“Acne surgery” or what your PDS dermatologist performs on your skin is different on many levels. Firstly, small sterile needles are used to make a tiny opening on the pimple and the contents are gentlty expressed out.  These are usually injected with an anti-inflammatory to prevent any more reddening and growth of the acne.  As for the whiteheads and blackheads, the comedone extractor is used to expertly take out the stubborn bumps on the skin.  Nothing is usually forced out and most dermas like to give a peel or medicate the skin to prepare it for an easier extraction.

Skin picking is treated as a medical condition in some countries.  Just like trichotillomania (hair pulling) and nail biting, cognitive-behavioral therapy is sometimes applied.  If you’ve got the will power to stop it, then now would be a good day to start as any.  You also have the option to have your pimples injected or treated (so it will disappear and you have nothing to pick on anymore) or see a psychiatrist to help curb your impulse on skin picking.

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Dear Dr. Jen,

I’ve got scales on my ears.  No matter how often I clean it daily, it still gets very dry and scaly.  Is there any medicine that can help me?

Joan

Dear Joan,

If you have dandruff or some scaling between your eyebrows or along side your nose, you may have a skin condition called “seborrheic dermatitis”.  It is an inflammatory kind of condition that erupts over the oily (sebum-filled) areas of the body such as the scalp, eyebrow, mid-facial, ears and chest.  Flaky white or yellow scales are common symptoms.  It can even be itchy at times.

It may be transmitted hereditarily.  There are multiple factors that can exacerbate seborrheic dermatitis: stress, extreme temperature, use of alcohol-based products, increased oiliness or obesity.

Most of the time, the yeast Pityrosporum or Malassezia is found in these areas. And treatment would include using medicated shampoos or creams (containing anti-fungals and anti-inflammatories).  No matter how tempting, don’t use any exfoliating creams on the ears.  This may cause further irritation and even lead to a bacterial infection.