Is it okay for me to "pop" my pimples?
Popping a pimple is a great idea.
If you can unplug a plugged up hair follicle, you get rid of the pimple. The problem with trying to pop a pimple at home is that the plug may shoot deeper inside than outside so its probably a better idea to see a dermatologist and let them do it for you.
How Can I prevent Acne?
The best thing to do to prevent acne is not plug up the hair follicle in the first place. What does that most effectively are retinoids like Retin-A.
The problem with those medications is that they're initially irritating, and the gratification from them is delayed. However, they will make the skin grow in a manner that doesn't allow those plugged follicles to form in the first place.
All other treatments for acne try and unplug an already plugged follicle. You can use salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, microdermabrasion; they are all in one form or another trying to take that plug out.
The other treatments are antibiotics, both topical and oral. If that plug is so tight that the oil coming from the oil glad behind that plug can't get out, then the oil will collect, bacteria will work on that oil, and everything will get much more inflamed.
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