The Art of Popping Spots.

The Art of Spot Popping: A Guide to Doing It Right

Let’s talk about something we all do but don’t always admit to: popping our spots. Sure, we’re told not to, but let’s be honest most of us have given in to temptation at least once (or a hundred times). I’m a self-confessed spot-popper. There’s just something satisfying about it.

But here’s the thing: there’s a right way and a wrong way to pop a spot. The wrong way - picking can leave you with scars, irritation, and regret. The right way can help you speed up healing and minimize damage to your skin. If you’re going to do it (and let’s face it, you probably are), here’s how to do it properly.

 

Popping vs. Picking

Popping:

• You notice a whitehead, gently assess if it’s ready, and, if it is, you carefully extract it.
• Minimal effort, minimal damage, and you’re back to your skincare routine.

Picking:

• You attack a sore, red bump before it’s ready, trying to force it to pop.
• It hurts, it bleeds, and you end up with a mess that lingers for days or worse, scars.

Think of it like baking a cake: opening the oven door too early ruins the bake. Spot popping requires patience and timing.

 

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What You’ll Need

To ensure a clean and safe popping session, gather these essentials:

1. Clean hands.
2. Clean skin.
3. A clean flannel.
4. A cotton pad soaked with tea tree essential oil.
5. A good-quality face oil like Argan, Prickly Pear & 24K Gold Face Oil or Rosehip & Vitamin E Face Oil.

 

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Step-by-Step: How to Pop a Spot

1. Assess if It’s Ready

• If a flannel during cleansing doesn’t dislodge the head or the spot feels sore, it’s not ready.
• Look for a visible whitehead that isn’t inflamed or painful.

2. Clean Everything

• Wash your hands and cleanse your skin thoroughly.
• Use a clean flannel to remove impurities and prep the area.

3. Perfect Your Technique

1. Wrap tissues around the forefinger of each hand.
2. Place your fingertips slightly away from the spot - not directly next to it.
3. Gently press downwards, then push upwards at a 90-degree angle.
4. If the spot is ready, it will release easily. If it doesn’t, stop immediately to avoid damage.

 

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Aftercare: The Key to Healing

Once the spot has been popped, it’s time to care for your skin:

1. Disinfect: Take the pre-soaked tea tree cotton pad and firmly press it onto the area. This helps kill bacteria and stops bleeding.
2. Soothe and Protect: Apply a face oil to the area. Oils hydrate the skin, reduce inflammation, and help prevent scarring.

 

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Why I Choose Face Oils

Many people reach for drying spot treatments, but these can irritate the surrounding skin, leading to inflammation and scarring. Face oils work differently. They:

• Hydrate and calm the skin.
• Encourage healing and reduce redness.
• Protect the skin barrier to minimize the risk of scarring.

I recommend the Argan, Prickly Pear & 24K Gold Face Oil for its anti-inflammatory and skin-repairing properties or the Rosehip & Vitamin E Face Oil, which is gentle and ideal for sensitive skin.

 

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A Few Final Tips

• Avoid popping spots in a rush, like during your lunch break at work. Instead, do it when you’re home and have time to properly cleanse and follow up with oils.
• After popping, reapply face oil multiple times throughout the day to keep the area hydrated and promote healing.
• If the spot isn’t ready but still bothers you, resist the urge to pick. Patience is key, and forcing it will only make things worse.

 

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The Bottom Line

Popping spots isn’t ideal, but if you’re going to do it, doing it the right way can save your skin from unnecessary damage. Clean tools, proper technique, and aftercare are your best friends. And remember, face oils are the secret weapon to faster healing and preventing scars.

If you haven’t tried the Argan, Prickly Pear & 24K Gold Face Oil or the Rosehip & Vitamin E Face Oil, they’re a must-have for not just spot aftercare but also for maintaining healthy, glowing skin.