Should I Scrub Off Acne Scabs? Good Question...

One of the frequent questions being asked by acne sufferers is: should I scrub off acne scabs?  This is not a difficult question to answer.  While a lot of afflictions caused by acne may need special treatments or special considerations, this one is pretty straight forward.  When you have normal scabs, you are not supposed to pick them, scrape them, scrub them.  The same is true with acne scabs.  The next time you ask yourself should I scrub off acne scabs, remember that the answer is no, because that will only compound the problem.

This question is often asked by individuals who struggle with constantly getting blackheads, but who also can’t leave them alone.  The problem with scrubbing off acne scabs is that this can lead to large pores across the nose, forehead, and chin.  Scrubbing off any scabs that occur is not good, and can often lead to worse scarring than would have otherwise occurred.  In fact, it is never a good idea to pick or squeeze pimples.  When you squeeze a pimple, you ALWAYS make it worse.  This is because while you squeeze the pimple at sking level, your skin actually pinches the center of the pimple, allowing some pus to leave the top of the skin but also driving the pus from the zit deeper into the skin, which will cause more redness and inflammation, swelling, and an increased chance of infection.  This is why a picked pimple always looks worse than one that is not picked. Continued picking can cause scabs to develop, and picking scabs will result in scarring.

Some things to consider: prevention.  Preventing the type of acne that can scab will make things much easier.  Then you won’t even have to ask the question of, “Should I scrub off acne scabs?”  If there are no scabs, there is no concern.  Do not scrub your acne off.  This is as bad as popping your pimples by squeezing them.  It only makes the overall infection worse, and dirt doesn’t cause acne.  Dirt might clog pores to make a situation slightly worse, but the cause of acne (in both males and females; gender does not matter on this issue) is horomonal imbalance, not dirt.  Treat the acne problem, and if scabs appear, treat them as your would by any scabs not related to acne.  Use calimine lotion or other such products to treat the scab, and do not pick at it.

If your scabs turn into scarring, consider using a hydroxy acid treatment.  This active ingredient is designed to slowly loosen and dissolve scar tissue.  For most people this treatment works well and reduces the appearance of scarring dramatically.  Some people have very tough scar tissue and may need a stronger treatment to get a satisfactory effect.  A person with very oily skin will generally also have very tough scars.

Once again, when brought around full circle to that question of should I scrub off acne scabs, know that the answer is no.  Practice the necessary preventive measures to prevent serious acne, and if that fails, do not scrub off any scabs.  This will only encourage scarring.  Find some appropriate medicine or homemade remedy, and treat it as you would any other normal scabbing.  Do this, and you will be much happier than if you just try to pick them off.