Acne, to some degree, is a part of life. However, it’s never fun to have a pimple on your face or other visible parts of your body. And when you do get a pimple, it can be tempting to pick at it.

While it’s incredibly tempting to do so, picking at pimples is never a good idea. Here are ten reasons why.

Picking can cause more acne

When you pick at a pimple, it irritates the skin. This can cause more acne to form in the area, which isn’t ideal if you’re trying to clear up your skin.

Any irritation on the skin can cause acne to develop due to the pores becoming clogged with oil and bacteria.

You risk scarring

Picking at a pimple can cause scarring, which can be permanent. Scarring is especially likely if you don’t pick at the pimple correctly. Using too much force to squeeze the pimple can damage the follicle wall, leading to permanent scarring.

You can cause an infection

When you pick at a pimple, you risk introducing bacteria from your fingers to the area. This can lead to an infection, which can cause the pimple to become even more inflamed or cause other pimples to form in the area.

Pimples will take longer to heal

If you pick at a pimple, it will take longer to heal. Irritating the skin will cause it to become inflamed, which can extend the healing process for the pimple.

Instead of picking at a pimple, let it heal on its own or treat it with a gentle acne-to-care regimen.

Popping pimples can push bacteria deeper into the skin

When you squeeze a pimple, you can push the bacteria deeper into the skin. This can lead to cystic acne, which can be much more painful than regular acne.

Cystic acne is also more challenging to treat, and if you can avoid it, you should always try to do so.

You won’t get rid of the pimple faster

Contrary to popular belief, picking at a pimple won’t make it go away faster. The pimple has to run its course, and treating it with a non-irritating skincare routine can help speed up the healing process.

Picking at a pimple won’t do anything besides cause other issues, like scarring or an infection.

You can spread pimples

If you pick at a pimple, you can spread bacteria on your fingers to other areas of your face. This can cause other pimples to form in areas that weren’t affected before.

It’s best to avoid picking at pimples altogether to keep your skin looking clear and balanced.

It can be painful

Picking at a pimple can be painful, especially if you do it too aggressively. Squeezing the pimple can cause it to become inflamed, which can be uncomfortable.

Instead of putting yourself in pain, opt for a spot treatment that will soothe and clear up the pimple instead.

You can cause hyperpigmentation

Picking at a pimple can cause hyperpigmentation, or dark spots, to form on the skin. These spots can be permanent and can be tougher to treat than regular acne.

Instead of picking at a pimple, try treating it with spot treatment or a gentle skincare routine to avoid causing further damage to your skin.

You could cause a headache

Believe it or not, picking at pimples can cause headaches. Acne is a form of inflammation, and when you pick at it, you’re increasing inflammation in that area. This can lead to headaches or migraines, which aren’t fun to deal with.

If you’re prone to headaches, it’s best to avoid picking at pimples altogether and opt for a gentle skincare routine.