When pimples get large or develop a prominent whitehead, it can be very tempting to pop them. Sometimes just brushing your hand across your face can pop these large pimples. After they heal, popped pimples can sometimes leave scars. While scarring is usually permanent, you can make them less noticeable or have them removed. You will need to be consistent in whichever treatment path you take to net the best results.
Step 1
Cleanse the skin with a mild face wash. After rinsing your face with warm water to open the pores, work a cleanser into a lather to remove dirt and oil. Rinse well with warm water and splash the skin with cold water to tighten the pores once again.
Step 2
Wipe a cotton pad soaked in toner all over the face. Use a brand that's alcohol free and has citric acid or witch hazel as its primary ingredient. This will remove dead skin cells and exfoliate the skin, acting to prevent formation of new pimples and soften the edges of pimple scars over time.
Step 3
Apply an oil-free sunscreen to your skin before going outside. Between SPF 15 and SPF 30 should suffice to protect you from sun damage. Too much sun exposure can darken marks left behind by pimples and make scars more noticeable.
Step 4
Request that your dermatologist use injectable fillers on your pimple scars. If the pimples are depressed or indented into the skin, a filler made from hyaluronic acid, collagen or fat will temporarily plump up the scar and make it even with the rest of your skin. For a permanent solution, your dermatologist will inject polymethyl methacrylate or PMMA. After injection, the site will be sore and swollen for several days. Before going out, apply ice to the area to reduce inflammation.
Step 5
Undergo surgery to have your pimple scars removed. For very deep scars, your dermatologist may loosen the skin to allow it to settle more in line with the rest of your skin. In other cases, the surgery can be to cut out the scars and sew surrounding tissue together. For large scars, the scar will be cut out and a skin graft placed to fill in the gap.
Things You'll Need
- Gentle facial cleanser
- Witch hazel toner
- Cotton pads
- Oil-free sunscreen
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