Most People Pop Their Pimples (And Dermatologists Hate It)

You know you're not supposed to do it. Every dermatologist, every skincare article, every well-meaning friend has told you: don't pop that pimple. And yet, there you are at the bathroom mirror, fingers poised, ready to squeeze.

You're not alone. About 62% of people admit to popping their pimples, making it one of humanity's most universal—and universally discouraged—habits.

Why We Can't Stop

There's actual psychology behind the urge. Popping a pimple delivers a tiny hit of satisfaction—what researchers call "completion reward." Your brain sees the blemish as a problem, and squeezing it feels like solving that problem. The instant visual result (even if temporary) triggers the same neural pathways as crossing something off a to-do list.

Some experts compare it to the satisfaction of peeling dried glue off your fingers or popping bubble wrap. It's not rational. It's primal.

What Actually Happens When You Squeeze

Here's where it gets gross—and educational:

• Best case: The pore clears, inflammation goes down, you got lucky
• Typical case: You push bacteria deeper into the skin, causing more inflammation and a bigger pimple tomorrow
• Worst case: Scarring, infection, or pushing bacteria into the "danger triangle" of your face (nose to corners of mouth), which can—in rare cases—cause serious infections

The white stuff you're extracting? That's a mix of dead skin cells, oil (sebum), and bacteria called Cutibacterium acnes. Satisfying to remove, sure. But your fingers introduce new bacteria while the pressure can rupture the follicle wall under the skin.

The 38% Who Resist

What about the people who don't pop? Dermatologists would love to know their secret. Some genuinely don't get the urge. Others have trained themselves through sheer willpower or after experiencing bad scarring.

The recommended alternatives—spot treatments, warm compresses, patience—work better but feel so much less immediate. And that's the problem. Humans are terrible at delayed gratification, especially when the reward is invisible (not having a scar in six months) versus the instant payoff of watching a pore empty.

A Whole Genre of Satisfaction

The obsession goes beyond personal grooming. Pimple-popping videos have become a genuine entertainment category. Dr. Sandra Lee, known as "Dr. Pimple Popper," has built an empire on extraction videos, with millions of devoted viewers who watch cyst removals and blackhead extractions for relaxation.

Scientists studying this phenomenon found that watching these videos triggers the same satisfaction centers as doing it yourself—but without the skin damage. It's vicarious popping.

So the next time you're staring down a whitehead, know that you're fighting millions of years of problem-solving instincts. The 62% who give in aren't weak—they're just human. The dermatologists aren't wrong either. Both things can be true.

Your move.