Sounds pretty simple but there’s a right way and wrong way to pop a zit, do it properly and you’ll be free of that sucker. Make a misstep and you’ll end up either making it worse or creating a scar on your face.

When to pop: Only pop a zit when it’s a whitehead. That means there’s a visible white head of pus (yum!) on the zit. If it’s just red, leave it alone and follow the steps here instead. Try to pop zits right after a steamy shower so the skin and pores are a bit more relaxed, preferably at night.

How to!

Scarring usually occurs when your fingernails scratch the skin as you pop, the new cuts as well as the bacteria that fills them can also infect the pimple and make it much worse.

• To avoid that, wrap both of your index fingers (the ones to do the popping) in tissue so the nails are covered. Like this:

• Now, place your fingers on either side of the spot and gently squeeze it to get the puss out. Once that’s done, swab the area with an astringent (like a BHA toner or witchhazel) and apply your regular spot treatment on top. No other moisturisers or treatments on it for the rest of the day, 24 hours if you can manage it.

• If nothing comes out when you try to pop it, stop! Don’t keep forcing the spot or you might risk scarring it. If you see blood or a clear liquid coming out, stop. Leave the pimple, use spot treatments on it and wait for it to either dry out or surface as a white head. Just be patient.

And that’s the right way to pop a pimple!