Post-Op Pimples: Too pop or not

[aaron1234]

Hey guys. I'm about 11 weeks now. Been getting those blessed pimples/ingrown hairs for about a month now. Most I have left alone and they fade away within a couple of days. But a couple got pretty big so I popped them. I'm not worried about the grafts at all as the bleeding was minor. I've just seen a lot of conflicting advice on this issue. Some say you can risk infection while others say that no harm can be done to the grafts. So what's the word? Pop or not?

[Dewayne]

Pop 'em. I'm not a doctor, but as long as you keep your head clean I don't think you'll have an issue with infection.

[Sparky]

pop them, I did.

[orangehair]

Sparky.......usually those pimples which are the hairs curling up under the skin should resolve themselves on their own...its a good sign in that there are the beginnings of activity but it can be frustrating..you may want to consider using a warm compress/washcloth intermittently to open the pours...if they get super big best to have your office try to assist the shaft out.. with that said you probably can get away with popping but not ideal

[Eman]

I was told by Dr. Rahal that I can pop them when they do arise.

[Dr. Timothy Carman]

I wouldn't recommend "popping".

The scalp DOES have a great blood supply, making infection a little less likely, but it still isn't a good general practice because of the following: Just as easily as that "gooh" (medical term here..) can be relieved out above the surface, it can also burst below the surface, causing more irritation, inflammation, and bacterial spread. It can make the problem worse.

A warm, moist compress will help to bring the little guys "to a head", so that they will drain (outwardly) on their own.

[tofueornottofue]

Originally posted by tofueornottofue:

I took a small damp towel...nuked it for 15 seconds, and placed on area for 10 min each hour, for about 3 hours(on entire HT area). This seemed to do the trick for me and calm things down. I only had one noticeable pimple that I used this on, had a couple of very small ones that no one could see. Whenever I felt that a pimple may be forming I used this technique and didn't have any pimple issues.

 

Of course, it also may have been the result of the great HT work by Dr. Feller and his staff.

 

T

[Guest Brad Limmer, MD]

aaron1234:

Use benzoyl peroxide (OTC) twice daily to those "pimples", don't harrass them too much they are only temporary.