Zits, blackheads, whiteheads and pimples. Should you not squeeze any of them, squeeze all of them or only some of them some of the time. It can be confusing but to the person who wants nice skin, these are questions that need answers. To squeeze or not to squeeze blackheads, that is the question.
In all earnestness, to squeeze blackheads or not has been a point of contention for decades. Is a blackhead like a whitehead or a zit or is it different because it is true that you should never squeeze a zit. So let’s take a look at the pros and cons of squeezing blackheads.
Before proceeding let’s define a blackhead, whitehead, pimple and zit. Many people tend to group some or all of these conditions together but they are different and in understanding their differences we can better understand why or why not squeezing them is a good idea.
Blackhead
This is also known as an open comedone, meaning a clogged pore or hair follicle that is open to the outside air. A blackhead does not have the inflammation that a pimple or zit may have so it is not as dangerous for spreading since it lacks the bacteria that make pimples and zits so dangerous for squeezing amongst other things. Blackheads are made up of sebum (fat) and dead skin. With more sebum than is necessary for proper bodily function it combines with the dead skin cells and clogs hair follicles and pores. If the sebum in the follicle is exposed to the air it will darken causing the blackhead appearance.
Whitehead
A whitehead or a closed comedone is comprised of the same elements as a blackhead except there is a layer of skin over the top of the follicle, preventing the sebum to be oxidized by the outside air. The whitehead, like the blackhead, typically lacks the presence of the bacteria p. acnes, which are why there is an inflammation that is frequently painful and obviously an abnormality.
Pimple
This is such a general term and can refer to a whitehead or a zit. I prefer to use the term “pimple” to indicate a whitehead that is not inflamed like a zit or general bumps on the skin that result from acne cosmetica or diaper rash. It is a common term to use for acne cosmetica, diaper rash and other skin conditions that cause pimples. More situations exist that precipitate the formation of pimples but they are not the kind that include sebum or bacteria.
Zit
This is a hideous word and scares anyone who is familiar with the horrid presence of a zit. I want to classify the zit as a whitehead that is large and can even appear yellowish and typically has a reddish tint around the white center showing an inflammation. The zit is quite a bit different than the blackhead.
Unlike blackheads and whiteheads the bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes is present. This is the bacteria that lives in a hair follicle to raise a family with plenty of sebum to eat. The presence of the bacterium cause the white blood cells of the immune system to respond to the infection causing an inflammation that can be painful. The whitehead from the skin is full of pus, which is constituted of sebum, dead skin cells, white blood cells and the debris of dead and dying bacteria. The extent of a zit beneath the skin is more extensive than a blackhead. When a zit is squeezed the pus can be pushed through the tissues to another region of the facial skin and can spread the acne and pimples. This is in addition to the pus getting on the surface of the skin and spreading the acne and pimples that way. Scarred skin that will be there for life without laser resurfacing is the result of squeezing zits.
To squeeze or not to squeeze a blackhead
Unlike the zit the blackhead is a lot more stable but nonetheless if you are not careful your squeezing can damage the skin and cause more problems than it was worth. Products like blackhead extractors that use suction can cause similar problems and that goes for pore strips as well.
It would be hard for me to ever recommend the squeezing of any type of pimple because of what I know. People suggest there are ways to squeeze blackheads without any danger but the danger is always present. It would be far better to change our lifestyle that would naturally eliminate the circumstances that cause an excess of sebum to be produced?
To conclude I would state that there are dangers that attend the squeezing of any pimples. To squeeze blackheads may not cause trouble but the potential always exists so learn how to care for the body to prevent the conditions that precipitate blackheads.
Source by Bill Wynne
