KAPLAN MD SKINCARE
There are few things in life more satisfying than popping a pimple. Squeeze, pop, and finally sweet relief. It's a rush of instant gratification, and if we're being completely honest, part of the thrill is knowing we shouldn't be doing it.
The skincare community has a certain cognitive dissonance when it comes to pimple popping. Yes, we all agree that SPF is non-negotiable and that retinol speeds up cell turnover and is integral to younger, healthier skin. But when it comes to pimples, there's no clear consensus. So we asked Dr. Kaplan to settle this debate, once and for all.
A: “An unsqueezed pimple will always heal faster than a squeezed pimple.”
Most of us know that popping makes things irrevocably worse. What we don’t realize is how much worse, or that the damage can go beyond one blemish. The rule is simple: leave it alone.
A: "A pimple is a full circle. You're only seeing the top half, the domed half circle above the skin. There is an equal or larger part underneath the skin. Much like squeezing a tube of toothpaste, some pops out the top, but some also gets pushed out the bottom.”
That satisfying pop is an illusion. Squeezing pushes oil, bacteria, and debris deeper into the skin, triggering inflammation as your body fights back. The result is a bigger, redder bump that heals slower. To make matters worse, inflammation can damage the surrounding tissue, so every squeeze raises the risk of scaring and hyperpigmentation.
A: “Once it’s popped, the most important thing is to leave it alone. Treat the inflammation with benzoyl peroxide to dry it out and 1% hydrocortisone to calm the redness, and don’t squeeze it again.”
Drying agents should be used no more than twice a day, since too much can leave skin irritated, red, and cracked. To reduce swelling, a cold pack can help, but always keep a barrier between the cold and your skin, or you run the risk of an ice burn.
A: “What we can do in our office is use a special needle and tool to open the pimple and drain it without breaking it in all directions.”
A dermatologist visit is the fastest, safest fix. After draining, a tiny drop of cortisone helps the pimple flatten right away and lowers the chance of scarring. Can’t get an appointment? Try benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, following the same twice-a-day rule.
A: “The skin barrier’s primary purpose is to keep the outside out and the inside in. Think of it like the bricks that are around your house. It keeps the weather out and the people inside safe.”
The “weather” is bacteria, pollution, UV, and moisture loss, all of which speed up aging when your skin barrier is weak. The “people inside” are everything beneath the surface including your vital organs. Protecting your barrier is not about vanity. It’s about your overall health.
A: “A damaged skin barrier becomes dry, red, flaky, and uncomfortable.”
These signs are easy to mistake for everyday dryness. Look out for skin that used to feel soft, turning tight and brittle. People with eczema or psoriasis are especially prone to barrier damage and should take extra steps to protect themselves especially in colder months.
A: “Using moisturizers and emollients consistently will keep the skin supple and the barrier intact.”
Look for soothing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, and hydrators.The Diamond Contour Clinical Repair Balm was made specifically for barrier repair, combining 1.5% colloidal oatmeal with ceramides, shea butter, olive squalene, and hyaluronic acid. Think of it as the mortar to your bricks: it fills the cracks and holds everything together
Dr. Kaplan's advice comes down to one golden rule: an unsqueezed pimple will always heal faster. Resist the urge to squeeze, reach for gentle treatments when necessary, and give your barrier the moisture it craves.
Your skin works around the clock to keep you safe. It's your job to protect it back.
