11. Popping pimples the “right” way
This is a bad idea, says Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD, associate professor of dermatology at George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences—because you shouldn’t pop pimples at all. Interfering with a pimple maximizes your risk of scars and more breakouts.
“Technically all acne is inflammatory, meaning inflammation around the oil gland/hair follicle is brewing before you even see the early signs of a pimple,” says Dr. Friedman. “Think of it this way: Acne is inappropriate inflammation, and injury to the skin creates more inflammation, like picking at an open wound. Not a good plan.”