{"id":223577,"date":"2025-06-29T08:56:11","date_gmt":"2025-06-29T08:56:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/223577\/"},"modified":"2025-06-29T08:56:11","modified_gmt":"2025-06-29T08:56:11","slug":"top-dermatologists-urgent-warning-to-those-with-spots-common-remedy-could-leave-you-scarred-for-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/223577\/","title":{"rendered":"Top dermatologist’s urgent warning to those with spots – common remedy could leave you scarred for life"},"content":{"rendered":"

Popping an unsightly pimple before a\u00a0big social event or work presentation may seem like a simple solution.<\/p>\n

But while this might seem like a good idea at the time,\u00a0it’s a bad habit that can do more than just scar you, a\u00a0skin expert has warned.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to\u00a0Dr Conal Perrett, a dermatologist at\u00a0The Devonshire Clinic<\/a>\u00a0on Harley Street, London<\/a>, popping spots can risk spreading infection or requiring pricey follow-up care, often costing hundreds of pounds, to fully clear.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Instead, he suggested targeted treatments and gentle skincare to support natural healing for spots.<\/p>\n

Acne is one of the most common inflammatory skin conditions in adolescents. More than 80 per cent of teenagers battle with pimples.<\/p>\n

The condition is caused by hair follicles becoming plugged with oil or dead skin cells, which can be a result of shifts in hormones, or using cosmetic products and certain medications.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It can also occur later in life for a number of reasons.<\/p>\n

Dr\u00a0Perrett advised:\u00a0‘Refrain from picking or squeezing any blemishes, as this can worsen inflammation and lead to permanent marks.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The correct way to treat a troublesome spot depends on the type you have, the doctor warned<\/p>\n

Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n

‘For stubborn scarring, advanced treatments such as chemical peels, laser and microneedling can be the best way forward.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘Using the right skincare ingredients, alongside daily sun protection, can make a significant difference.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘For more persistent or severe acne, seeking professional advice is the best way to protect the skin and support a smooth, healthy complexion in the future.’<\/p>\n

Dr Perrett also urged people, in particular acne sufferers, to look out for the five main types of spots: blackheads, papules, pustules, nodules and cysts.<\/p>\n

Dark spots on your face are likely blackheads, Dr Perrett noted, which can be treated and prevented with products containing salicylic acids and gentle retinoids\u2014because they keep pores clear.<\/p>\n

Such products are available on the high street, often as serums.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Small, red inflamed bumps without visible puss-filled heads, meanwhile, are likely papules\u2014which occur when clogged pores trigger deeper inflammation.<\/p>\n

This redness can be reduced by products containing benzoyl peroxide, niacinamide, topical retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids and azelaic acid.<\/p>\n

\"While <\/p>\n

While the doctor warned never to squeeze your spots, some in particular he explained have a higher risk of scarring<\/p>\n

Spots that look similar to papules but have a red base and white or yellow tip, are likely pustules which carry a higher risk of scarring if popped.\u00a0<\/p>\n

These troublesome spots can be treated with the same way as papules, but in some cases prescription-strength retinoids and oral antibiotics may be needed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Another, nodules, are large, painful and sit deep within the skin.\u00a0<\/p>\n

These have a significant chance of leaving permanent scarring, so they also require prescription-strength retinoids and oral antibiotics.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cysts, meanwhile, have the\u00a0highest likelihood of scarring and are large, soft, pus-filled lumps that sit deep below the skin’s surface.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘It is crucial to never squeeze cysts, as this can dramatically increase scarring and spread infection,’ Dr Perrett warned.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If patients have painful cysts and nodules, steroid injections such as corticosteroid to quickly reduce swelling, redness and pain.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, he added, if pimples stubbornly persist patients\u00a0should see a dermatologist.<\/p>\n

For those with acne scars he said wearing a hydrating SPF can, minimise how visible they are.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘Sun exposure stimulates melanin production, which can make scars appear darker and more pronounced,’ he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘A broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher should be applied every morning and reapplied throughout the day.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘Pairing sun protection with a good moisturizer enhances skin repair by maintaining hydration, which is crucial for cell turnover and barrier function.’<\/p>\n

This is especially important for those taking\u00a0the acne medication Roaccutane, as it makes them more sensitive to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, he warned.<\/p>\n

Research has suggested diet may also play a role in acne prevention.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Experts advise avoiding sugar and focusing on a healthy, well-balanced diet with high amounts of\u00a0nuts, legumes, fish, red meat, fruits and vegetables.<\/p>\n

Some studies also suggest there is a higher risk of acne with frequent milk consumption, but more research is needed before dietary recommendations can be made.<\/p>\n

For this reason, experts recommend keeping a diary to see if any of foods directly aggravate acne and avoid them if this is the case.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Popping an unsightly pimple before a\u00a0big social event or work presentation may seem like a simple solution. But…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":223578,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[92,105,257,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-223577","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health","8":"tag-dailymail","9":"tag-health","10":"tag-london","11":"tag-uk","12":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114765823181851596","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/223577","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=223577"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/223577\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/223578"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=223577"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=223577"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=223577"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}