Pimple Picking with Stick and Needle
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free skin care · Tue May 02, 2006 12:02 am

In my country, all the beauty salons use the same approach for people with pimple or acne marks problems. The therapist will use pimple stick and needle to pick or press the pimple or acne until the yellow stuff and blood came out. I dont know why I never heard anyone here to talk about this approach, may be most of you came from developed countries and you all no longer use this approach or you all find that it is a bad approach (this is just my guess, correct me if I am wrong and forgive me if I am wrong).

It had been said many times that picking is not good because it will leave more pimple marks on face. Therefore, I dont know should I continue to have this type of facial treatment or not. If this is really bad, I will ask the therapist to stop on picking on pimples on my face.

I hope to hear your opinions, those who have this experience before, I hope you can share your views, please, any opinions are welcome, please, appreciate.

free skin care · Tue May 02, 2006 12:45 am

I think in some spas, the problem skin facials still have a step where they do manual extractions using needle points or blackhead removers.

Personally, if the actual pimple is big enough with a white head, then I would actually pick it BUT with a STERILE and FINE TIPPED needle.. and after a steam facial/shower and treat it with something antibacterial like pure tea tree or lavender oil. And do not be tempted to squeeze anything out.. just wipe it away.

If only blood comes out after piercing the skin, then obviously the pimple isn't at a stage where piercing would help it and can leave scarring worse than if the pimple actually healed itself.

But learning the hard way (broken capillaries!!) I now leave all zits, big or small, alone, and treat it on the surface with a strong purifying mask or essential oil.

Tue May 02, 2006 6:53 am

the spa i go to give this type of facial. they cleanse, then do the extraction thing, and then toner - and then some cold mask thing (with the machine if you so wish) to close the pores and to help with the healing process.

i don't know if it helps or not but it hurts so much!! Shock

free skin care · Tue May 02, 2006 6:57 am

Just out of curiosity Handbella, what country are you from?

free skin care · Tue May 02, 2006 6:23 pm

miranets wrote:

I think in some spas, the problem skin facials still have a step where they do manual extractions using needle points or blackhead removers.

Personally, if the actual pimple is big enough with a white head, then I would actually pick it BUT with a STERILE and FINE TIPPED needle.. and after a steam facial/shower and treat it with something antibacterial like pure tea tree or lavender oil. And do not be tempted to squeeze anything out.. just wipe it away.

If only blood comes out after piercing the skin, then obviously the pimple isn't at a stage where piercing would help it and can leave scarring worse than if the pimple actually healed itself.

But learning the hard way (broken capillaries!!) I now leave all zits, big or small, alone, and treat it on the surface with a strong purifying mask or essential oil.

Hi, Miranets, thanks so much for your reply.
Just to elaborate a little bit, my treatment process is like stated by ejwb84:

Quote:

the spa i go to give this type of facial. they cleanse, then do the extraction thing, and then toner - and then some cold mask thing (with the machine if you so wish) to close the pores and to help with the healing process.

I am so confused now. I realized that we need someone who are expert in doing the popping, that's why I have never pop my pimples before. But, my question is should I let the threapist pop my pimples even though I know they are expert in doing this. The problem is "does popping by Professionals ALSO cause the pimple mark?"

free skin care · Tue May 02, 2006 6:27 pm

ejwb84 wrote:

the spa i go to give this type of facial. they cleanse, then do the extraction thing, and then toner - and then some cold mask thing (with the machine if you so wish) to close the pores and to help with the healing process.

i don't know if it helps or not but it hurts so much!! Shock

Hi, Ejwb84. Thank you very much for your reply. Yes, I think we went through the same type of treatment. Yes, it is painful but if it really helps, I can bear with the pain:)

May I ask? Ejwb84, how long you take for the redness (caused by popping and squeezing) to go away after the treatment day?

I have only went through twice so I really cant say whether the Popping by therapist is good or not.

Do you mind to share your experiences and opinions with me? Do you think it helps you?
Or, does the Popping by your therapist worsen your pimple marks?

Hope to hear your opinions, appreciate

free skin care · Tue May 02, 2006 6:28 pm

manslayerliz wrote:

Just out of curiosity Handbella, what country are you from?

Hi, Manslayerliz, I'm from Malaysia,an Asia country, at the north part of Singapore.

free skin care · Tue May 02, 2006 7:48 pm

Anyone please?

free skin care · Tue May 02, 2006 7:57 pm

Hi again! Well, my opinion is that if the pimple has already come to the surface, it's much better to go ahead and extract it so it can go ahead and heal. The last time I went for a facial I had a really timid aesthetician and she didn't want to try to extract my blemishes, so I just had to go home and do it myself, groan!!! By the way, I def. know where Malaysia is--- my husband used to live in Singapore, so I spent a lot of time in that area.^-^ Nice part of the world!!

free skin care · Tue May 02, 2006 8:48 pm

I use a sterilized needle and poke it gently in the center of a big whitehead, especially if it's painful to release the pressure. I'll gently squeeze to get the stuff out but if stuff won't come out easily I leave it alone because that means it's not ready to come out.

If your skin is healing nicely after you get your facial and you're not seeing scars, then I think you're okay. If that's not the case then I'd tell her to stop using that method. HTH Very Happy

free skin care · Tue May 02, 2006 9:11 pm

manslayerliz wrote:

Hi again! Well, my opinion is that if the pimple has already come to the surface, it's much better to go ahead and extract it so it can go ahead and heal. The last time I went for a facial I had a really timid aesthetician and she didn't want to try to extract my blemishes, so I just had to go home and do it myself, groan!!! By the way, I def. know where Malaysia is--- my husband used to live in Singapore, so I spent a lot of time in that area.^-^ Nice part of the world!!

Hi, Manslayerliz, thank you for your reply Very Happy

Thanks for your praise for my country, so happy to hear that you know it and you like it too...

May I know? You said you have gone through this types of extration treatment before, do you think it really helps in improving BOTH the acne and acne marks conditions?

In your opinion, is it good to do the extraction on the 'ripe' pimples?

I still have choice whether to let the therapist do the pimple popping or I can ask her to stop popping the pimples, still cant get the real idea...

Forgive me for asking so much...

free skin care · Tue May 02, 2006 9:16 pm

cloe wrote:

I use a sterilized needle and poke it gently in the center of a big whitehead, especially if it's painful to release the pressure. I'll gently squeeze to get the stuff out but if stuff won't come out easily I leave it alone because that means it's not ready to come out.

If your skin is healing nicely after you get your facial and you're not seeing scars, then I think you're okay. If that's not the case then I'd tell her to stop using that method. HTH Very Happy

Hi, Cloe, thanks so much for your response.

From my experiences, whether the pimple is popped or it is left alone, the pimple will definitely left marks on my face. They are light red marks. I cant really tell does the popping leave marks or not..sorry, I have few information here:(

As I have just gone through this treatment twice only, I am not sure whether it really helps or worsen the condition...Therefore, I would like to know the long term effects...

Do you mind to tell me your experiences? You said you do the extraction yourself, how you think? does the pimple that you popped shows to heal slower or faster or nothing different with the pimples that you left alone?

Hope you dont mind to tell me, I appreciate so much.

free skin care · Wed May 03, 2006 7:35 am

I guess the thing about those pesky marks is that if you get a big enough blemish, it seems like you're going to get a mark from it no matter WHAT you do. That being said, I think that if you can cleanly extract a blemish that has come to the surface, you'll be less likely to get a big red mark. In my experience, all my really bad acne scars have come from when a blemish had not come to the surface yet, but I got too impatient and tried to extract it anyway (ladies, you know what I'm talking about---what a nightmare!), and then I was left with a scab and then a mark. So, if you're trying to avoid marks, I'd say leave the blemish alone for as long as humanly possible, and then when it's come right up to the surface, either extract it yourself or have it done. Hope this helps!^-^

free skin care · Wed May 03, 2006 11:32 am

Aargh!!! This sounds horrendous to me - I hope they really are that good at what they're doing, or I wouldn't be surprsed if the treatment leaves marks at least as bad as the original blemishes Sad

.

free skin care · Wed May 03, 2006 3:15 pm

Quote:

Do you mind to tell me your experiences? You said you do the extraction yourself, how you think? does the pimple that you popped shows to heal slower or faster or nothing different with the pimples that you left alone?

As long as the pimple is a whitehead, when I poke it with a needle, and very gently press out what's inside, it definately heals much faster. Any red mark left behind usually goes away within a few days or a week.

But like Manslayerliz said, if you go after it before it's come to the surface, it's gonna scab and scar. You really want to be careful.

You also want to put something over the pimple after to heal it, like acv or tea tree oil or a blemish treatment of some kind. I like Desert Essecnce blemish stick and Home Health blemish treatment lotion. (not really a lotion. I don't know why they call it that) Both of these help to heal up blemishes fast. Very Happy

Wed May 03, 2006 9:05 pm

I am so busted! I obviously come from a long lineage of "seek & destroy" zit busters, as I absolutely cannot supress the urge to do this to my own skin.
I will, admittedly, sit & examine my skin for anything, under a magnified mirror, pick (gently), or not touch.
I am also one to use a lancet at work. A lancet: the needle part of a syringe. It's sanitary, and I am cautious with my extractions.
However, I LOVE the the thrill of doing my own extractions! Sick, I know, but I am human. I get cyclical zits, and the occasional, stress/hormonal pimple too.

free skin care · Wed May 03, 2006 9:26 pm

manslayerliz wrote:

I guess the thing about those pesky marks is that if you get a big enough blemish, it seems like you're going to get a mark from it no matter WHAT you do. That being said, I think that if you can cleanly extract a blemish that has come to the surface, you'll be less likely to get a big red mark. In my experience, all my really bad acne scars have come from when a blemish had not come to the surface yet, but I got too impatient and tried to extract it anyway (ladies, you know what I'm talking about---what a nightmare!), and then I was left with a scab and then a mark. So, if you're trying to avoid marks, I'd say leave the blemish alone for as long as humanly possible, and then when it's come right up to the surface, either extract it yourself or have it done. Hope this helps!^-^

Hi, manslayerliz. Thanks so much for your kind reply.

Yes, you really gave me a GREAT information. My opinion is I cant guarantee that the therapist ONLY extract the one already 'ripe', so maybe I will keep the pimples alone.

Thanks so much, manslayerliz.

free skin care · Wed May 03, 2006 9:30 pm

fifi wrote:

Aargh!!! This sounds horrendous to me - I hope they really are that good at what they're doing, or I wouldn't be surprsed if the treatment leaves marks at least as bad as the original blemishes Sad

.

Hi, Fifi, thanks for your response.
May I know you are having this type of extraction treatment too? Do you mind to share your experiences on this?

Yes, I agree too. I cant guaratee that the therapist are doing the right decision on whether to extract that particular pimple or not.

free skin care · Wed May 03, 2006 9:33 pm

cloe wrote:

You also want to put something over the pimple after to heal it, like acv or tea tree oil or a blemish treatment of some kind. I like Desert Essecnce blemish stick and Home Health blemish treatment lotion. (not really a lotion. I don't know why they call it that) Both of these help to heal up blemishes fast. Very Happy

Hi, Cloe, thank you very much for your reply. Thanks.
I will consider that two things if my redness really cant go away in coming days.

free skin care · Wed May 03, 2006 9:36 pm

Caspers Mum wrote:

I am so busted! I obviously come from a long lineage of "seek & destroy" zit busters, as I absolutely cannot supress the urge to do this to my own skin.
I will, admittedly, sit & examine my skin for anything, under a magnified mirror, pick (gently), or not touch.
I am also one to use a lancet at work. A lancet: the needle part of a syringe. It's sanitary, and I am cautious with my extractions.
However, I LOVE the the thrill of doing my own extractions! Sick, I know, but I am human. I get cyclical zits, and the occasional, stress/hormonal pimple too.

Hi, Caspers Mum, thanks for your reply.

May I ask? From your experiences, after you did the extraction yourself, how many days you took for the redness to go away? And, Does the pimple that you popped shows to heal slower or faster or nothing different with the pimples that you left alone?

free skin care · Wed May 03, 2006 9:43 pm

Actually, I was told once that if te pimple is not extracted or popped, we cant get rid of bacteria inside the pimple and this will cause the spread of bacteria to other areas of the face and thus causes more pimples. But, just cant confirm the information yet.

Is this true?

Forgive me and correct me if I am wrong.

Wed May 03, 2006 10:06 pm

I've been reading up on your post and replies and I might have some help, but first I need to ask you some questions.

1. I know you are from Malaysia, but do you live there? If not, where do you live? Tropical? Humid? Dry?

2. Do you have dark skin or fair skin?

3. dry, oily or combination skin?

I might be able to help you because your condition sounds very similar to what I once dealt with. But in the meantime, do not allow anyone not even yourself to use a lancet (needle) on your face. Unless you know exactly why, when and how to use it, it always scars. And don't squeeze either.

Let me know and if your conditions truly are like mine were, I will give you all the info that helped me.

Also, do you have asian skin?

free skin care · Wed May 03, 2006 10:54 pm

chewsigirl wrote:

I've been reading up on your post and replies and I might have some help, but first I need to ask you some questions.

1. I know you are from Malaysia, but do you live there? If not, where do you live? Tropical? Humid? Dry?

2. Do you have dark skin or fair skin?

3. dry, oily or combination skin?

I might be able to help you because your condition sounds very similar to what I once dealt with. But in the meantime, do not allow anyone not even yourself to use a lancet (needle) on your face. Unless you know exactly why, when and how to use it, it always scars. And don't squeeze either.

Let me know and if your conditions truly are like mine were, I will give you all the info that helped me.

Also, do you have asian skin?

Hi, chewsigirl, thanks so much for your reply, appreciate.

1. Yes, I stay at Malaysia. The weather here is Hot and humid throughout the year.

2. I have very fair skin, really fair. (That's why pimple marks are easily seen on my face)

3. oily on forehead and chin, normal on cheeks.

4. Yes, I am Asian. I have Asian skin.

Thanks so much for your advice. I dont know whether my condition is same as yours or not as you didnt mention about your condition here.

I have small pimples occasionally and currently have some pimple marks on face.

free skin care · Thu May 04, 2006 12:16 am

Hi handsbella

I've never had this done, I must confess I don't really like facials and tend to avoid them (maybe because I don't like extractions!). I am a terrible "picker" though, and if I do have a pimple or blemish find it very hard to leave it alone - I can only imagine the damage I could do with a sharp implement Embarassed

free skin care · Thu May 04, 2006 8:27 pm

fifi wrote:

Hi handsbella

I've never had this done, I must confess I don't really like facials and tend to avoid them (maybe because I don't like extractions!). I am a terrible "picker" though, and if I do have a pimple or blemish find it very hard to leave it alone - I can only imagine the damage I could do with a sharp implement Embarassed

Hi, Fifi, thanks so much for your reply, appreciate.

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