Good for you/Bad for you
Paws off your pimples
By Megan Hirt (Contact)
Thursday, November 29th, 2007
As you prep to put your best face forward at holiday get-togethers, you may be tempted to lean toward the mirror, take aim and pinch any pesky pimples peppering your skin. “People experience a psychological satisfaction in popping their pimples,” says Nanette Liegeois, assistant professor of dermatology at Johns Hopkins University. But though it’s rewarding to show that pinkish protrusion who’s boss, a no-popping policy is best if you’re looking to perfect your skin for the long term. “You do get a little relief on the skin at first,” Liegeois says. “But about two to three weeks later, the scar tissue you’ve created will plug up the pores underneath it and the cycle starts all over again.” The poppin’ process is also unsanitary: Liegeois says your fingers or the tools you use to pop a pimple can easily insert bacteria into your skin that can cause more pimples. So, to cure the pimples you have and prevent future ones, Liegeois recommends skincare products like Meridian (www.skinbymeridian.com), which hydrate skin rather than drying it out. But no matter what regimen you choose, Liegeois says to choose one that’s easy to stick to, because the key to great skin is a consistent routine.
VERDICT – BAD FOR YOU
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