How do pimples and blackheads develop?
A pimple occurs when a pore becomes clogged with sebum secreted by the sebaceous glands. Normally, this is transported through the hair canal to the surface of the skin and thus protects the skin from drying out and harmful environmental influences. If the sebum gland is clogged, however, sebum and dead skin cells accumulate in the pore. Increased sebum production, which is caused by an increased release of certain hormones, is usually the trigger.
A closed pore behind which sebum and dead skin cells collect is called a blackhead – or more precisely: a closed white head. If more and more sebum accumulates, the pressure at the upper end of the canal eventually breaks open and the sebum-hair mixture penetrates to the surface. This form of blackhead is called an open blackhead because the mixture turns black when exposed to air. Blackheads occur particularly during puberty, when the sebum glands become clogged due to the skin’s increased sebum production.
A pimple occurs when a closed white head does not open. Then bacteria can settle in the skin-sebum mixture and attack the tissue. The body defends itself against the bacteria by trying to secrete them with pus. A pimple is formed due to the accumulation of pus in the pore.
Pimples in the intimate area
Pimples often appear not only on the face and back, but also in uncomfortable areas such as the intimate area or bottom. Pimples in the intimate area are particularly common after shaving .Â
To prevent the formation of pimples in the intimate area, you should always use shaving foam when shaving. Also, always remove hair in the direction of growth. Carefully apply a care lotion to the affected areas after shaving – you can also prevent pimples from developing in this way.
Pickel am Po
Just like in the intimate area, pimples on the bottom are extremely uncomfortable. Pimples can also form under the skin here – so-called abscesses . Pimples on the buttocks are often particularly uncomfortable because they are rubbed open when sitting and become inflamed.
Pimples on the bottom can be treated in the same way as on the other parts of the body. If the pimples cause you severe discomfort or if they are trapped under the skin, you should consult a dermatologist.
Pop pimples or not?
In general, it is better not to pop pimples  . Otherwise bacteria can get into the wound and it can become inflamed. This can leave a scar behind.
Especially on the face, more precisely in the triangle between the upper lip, nose and the area between the eyes, we strongly advise against tackling pimples by squeezing them. In the worst case, purulent pathogens could get further into the body and into the brain, which in extreme cases could result in bacterial meningitis  . Scratching and squeezing should be particularly taboo here.
Blackheads should also not be squeezed out under any circumstances, otherwise bacteria can get into the deeper layers of the skin and cause inflammation there  . An abscess is often the result of such inflammation.
Squeeze pimples – if you do, then please do it properly
Since many people with pimples on their face feel uncomfortable, pimples are often pressed anyway. Then it is particularly important to pay attention to careful hygiene  to avoid inflammation. Here are 5 tips to pop pimples properly:
- Before squeezing the pimple, the face should be washed thoroughly and freed from make-up and dirt. It is best to wash your face with warm water, this will open the pores. Even better is to take a quick steam bath with hot water or hot chamomile tea before squeezing.
- Also, wash your hands thoroughly before squeezing the pimple – this is another way to avoid infection.
- Then disinfect a needle and lightly prick the pimple with it. A comedone squeezer or a blackhead remover from the pharmacy are better suited for squeezing.
- Now take a facial tissue or an antibacterial facial cleansing tissue and press your fingers gently under the pimple. Stop as soon as clear liquid or blood comes out.
- Then dab some antibacterial facial tonic on the treated area.
What to do against pimples?
If you notice you’re getting a pimple, you can treat it quickly and easily with our first aid tips. Under no circumstances should you press around on the pimple, which usually only makes it worse.
First aid tips for pimples
- Take a facial steam bath with chamomile tea. The bath opens the pores and has a disinfecting effect.
- Gently dab the inflamed area with some zinc ointment. After dabbing with the zinc ointment, stick a small plaster over the pimple, because the anti-inflammatory effect of zinc is increased by the exclusion of air .
- If you have an important appointment, simply cover the pimple with some tinted cream. It is best to use an antiseptic pimple pen.
Girls and young women who suffer greatly from pimples or acne can often  improve their complexion by taking birth control pills . Alternatively, you can also get advice from the pharmacy about suitable products against pimples.
Home remedies for pimples
There are plenty of home remedies for pimples – at least if you can believe popular opinion: everything from toothpaste to lemon juice  to aftershave is recommended. In fact, one should be careful when using such home remedies. For example, the fluoride contained in toothpaste can further irritate  the skin.
Below are some home remedies that you can safely use to treat pimples:
- Healing clay mask : Mix a paste of healing clay and some warm water or warm chamomile tea and apply to the affected area. Leave the mask on for up to an hour and then rinse off the healing clay thoroughly.
- Tea tree oil : Â Tea tree oil has an anti-inflammatory effect and is therefore well suited for treating pimples. Simply dab a few drops of the oil onto the inflamed area. It is important to pay attention to high quality when buying the oil, as only high-quality products achieve the desired effect.
- Tea bags:  Bring some water to a boil and then add a bag of black tea  or chamomile tea to the water. After a short time, take the bag out again and gently place it on the pimple. Make sure that the water stored in the tea bag is not too hot.
- Silica Gel:Â Apply a thin layer of the gel to the pimple several times a day and leave on for 15 minutes. After that, dab some calendula tincture on the inflamed area.
With these home remedies for pimples, there will usually not be an immediate sense of achievement, but you have to be patient until the pimple disappears. Under no circumstances should you go straight to the next after using one home remedy for the first time. If the symptoms worsen as a result of using one of the home remedies, you should no longer use the remedy.
Can you prevent pimples?
Pimples are particularly common in people with oily skin. Oily skin  is caused by increased sebum production in the sebaceous glands. This overproduction can be caused by hormones, metabolism  or hygiene. If you tend to have oily skin, careful care is particularly important to prevent pimples.
If you have oily skin, be sure to choose a non-greasy moisturizer. Ideally, the cream should also have a disinfecting effect to prevent possible inflammation. For facial cleansing, you should also use products that have been specially developed for oily skin.
But even if you don’t have oily skin, you should clean your face regularly to prevent pimples from developing. We recommend cleaning your face twice a day with a mild cleansing gel. Washing your hair regularly can also help prevent breakouts.
Pimples and Diet
In general, a healthy diet is also good for the skin. However, it is not true that eating chocolate  or chips will cause pimples. Anyone who eats a generally healthy diet, drinks enough water and eats a lot of fruit  and vegetables  can also have a snack. Avoiding sugary foods , greasy foods and dairy products is said to have a particularly positive effect on the complexion.
Alcohol and especially cigarettes are particularly harmful to the skin: a study showed that the risk of impure skin increases significantly with every cigarette smoked. For example, smokers who smoke between 10 and 20 cigarettes a day have about twice the risk of acne as non-smokers.