Finally, someone discovers the 'right' way to pop a pimple

Image: Hands off it. Now. (via Mean Girls)

Perched in front of your mirror, about to launch an attack on your latest pimple? Stop right there, lady. Hands, needles and other implements where we can see them, please.

We’re not here to lecture you – you’re a big girl now, you know the consequences of popping pimples – but we do have some information that will be pertinent to you in this time of need.

“I popped a pimple. Then a staph infection ate my face.”

Dr Oz has appeared on Oprah with a PSA for the 1 in 5 of us, apparently, who can’t leave our blemishes (or those of, um, our loved ones) to die in peace. Get ready to take notes.

Apparently, the popular technique of squeezing or pressing the skin on either side of the pimple ‘head’ can damage your face.

“Never squeeze a pimple because you will macerate it. You’re destroying all the healthy tissue with the pressure you are putting on there by squeezing,” Dr Oz explains.

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The solution, he says, is to pierce the zit with a sterilised needle – but not to insert the needle straight down into it, as most of us jab-happy types do. Why? Because when doing so, you might strike some of your still-living, healthy skin, and cause yourself a lot of pain. Not to mention… blood.

Instead, you should work the needle in parallel to your skin's surface, so that it passes straight through the pimple and out the other side. Then, pull the needle straight up to tear the skin.

"You only want to hit the white part of the pimple - because that bit is already dead," Dr Oz says. Added bonus - because it's dead skin, you won't feel the needle go through.

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In case you can't watch the video right now, Dr Oz demonstrated the process using the most terrifying prop you'll ever lay eyes on - a giant, bulging zit, filled with thick white goop. It's revolting... but oddly compelling, as you'll see in this gallery:

So there you have it, obsessive pimple attackers - there's no need to give up on your popping habit. Just remember Dr Oz's wise words, and always sterilise the needle.

Are you a pimple popper? Have you ever tried this technique?