Types of bumps and blemishes – When you look in the mirror for a midday makeup check only to spot a giant zit or you-have-no-idea-what staring back at you, it’s absolutely tempting to go HAM on your face. But skin-care experts agree that when it comes to mostbumps and blemishes, a hands off approach is best if you’re hoping to nip it in the bud. “Popping anything causes your skin to physically break apart, making it more susceptible to infection and an even bigger problem than what was originally there in the first place,” says Dendy Engelman, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in New York City. To keep your complexion fresh and flawless and prevent permanent damage like scarring and broken blood vessels, avoid DIY-ing these common skin conundrums.
INGROWN HAIRS
Frustrating? Extremely. Worth picking—even if you just shaved for a blemish-free bikini line? Absolutely not. “Ingrown hairs occur when the hair shaft becomes trapped beneath the skin’s surface,” says Joel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist and RealSelf advisor. “The red bumps that follow are often itchy and inflamed, but it’s never a good idea to use tweezers or manual force to pluck them.” In fact, doing so means you’re actually breaking the skin, which can lead to further inflammation and infection, and even dangerous complications like staph infection or sepsis could occur down the road. “Squeezing ingrown hairs will only make inflammation and irritation worse,” says Schlessinger. (Hello, red marks that last for months). Instead, apply hydrocortisone, which reduces redness, itchiness, and irritation—and wash the affected area with an exfoliating cleanser to help the hair reach the skin’s surface.
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