1. Health

Readers Respond: How Do You Keep From Picking at Blackheads & Whiteheads?

Responses: 5

From , former About.com Guide

Updated January 11, 2010

This content is not monitored by About.com's Medical Review Board.
Before acting on this information, check with your health provider.

Everyone knows that picking at, mashing, and "popping" blackheads and whiteheads is bad for their skin. It can cause the comedone to become infected which can lead to scarring or discoloration. Even though they know this, most people can't keep their hands off those pesky pimples. If you are able to resist the urge, how do you do it?

Wait it out

I read somewhere that cravings last usually about 5 minutes so I'd call a friend or read a chapter of a book and by then you probably would have forgotten about it. If not, I wash my face with warm water to open the pores, use my face soap, and then wash out pores again with hot water, pat dry then glide ice over my face to constrict my pores(make them smaller) so dirt won't get in anymore. That helps a little bit to know that my face is clean and that it should go away. Then I'd take a nap because someone told me sleep helps(i really don't know...) and when I wake up, fix my hair up nice so it will take attention away from my face, or work on my eye makeup if its in the lower area of my face. Just stay away from it and try to lure attention away from it. :) If you're focusing on making your hair perfect you might forget about the imperfection.
—Guest CheerChick

do not pick your skin ever

I do not pick my skin because it is a natural and normal thing to do. If you remind yourself of this it should keep you from picking. If you feel agrivated by your skin apply medicine and wash but never pick.
—Guest spankrandommm

went to the expert

i keep going every twice a month to my dermatoligist for my facial and skin care maintenance.
—Guest shiela

doing it right is better than picking

I bought one of those comedone extractors for $9 at the drug store. Every day when I get the urge to pick, I 1. Go to the bathroom and wash my face. Then I put a hand cream on my skin. The fresh water plus the thick cream calms down the itching so my skin feels better. 2. I remind myself that I've got the tool at home and if I keep my hands of during the day, when I go home I can clean everything properly.
—Guest danni

Conceal

I cover them up with concealer and foundation. If I don't see them when I look in the mirror I won't pick at them.
—Guest Mel
  1. About.com
  2. Health
  3. Dermatology
  4. Acne
  5. How Do You Keep From Picking at Blackheads and Whiteheads?

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.

We comply with the HONcode standard
for trustworthy health
information: verify here.