Should you pop pimples? Most skin experts say no, because popping pimples can lead to infection and marks on your skin. Still, the urge is difficult to avoid, especially when a pimple looks ready.
In my years of writing about skin care, this is the question readers ask me most. They want a clear answer, so here it is. Leave most pimples alone. A few types can be handled with care, and this guide shows you which ones.
Why Popping Pimples Feels So Satisfying
You are not alone if you enjoy watching a pimple pop up. One study looked at the top 150 videos under #acne on TikTok. Pimple popping clips made up only 17% of the content, yet they pulled in 44% of the views, about 804 million (Australasian Journal of Dermatology, via Monash University).
Dermatologist Dr Sandra Lee, known as Dr Pimple Popper, has also reached billions of views. A Baylor College of Medicine psychologist explains that both psychological and biological reasons make people feel hooked on “the pop” (Baylor College of Medicine).
Here is my take. These videos make it look easy. However, the doctors in them use sterile tools and years of training. You have clean hands at best, and that is not the same thing.
When you squeeze a spot, pressure can damage the skin around it. As a result, the pimple may become more red and sore. It can also leave a dark mark that takes weeks or months to fade.
What Happens When You Pop a Pimple
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises that unwanted effects can include permanent scars, more painful spots, and infection from bacteria on your hands (AAD guidance summarized by MDedge).
A Cleveland Clinic dermatologist, Dr Jennifer Lucas, defines it simply. When you squeeze, some pus and bacteria come out, but some are pushed deeper into your skin. That makes a mark or scar more likely (WNYT, reporting Cleveland Clinic).
Scars also take time. Dr Lucas says a scar needs about a year to settle into its final look. So a few seconds of squeezing can stay with you for months.
Should You Pop Pimples?
Not every pimple is the same. First, look closely at what you have. Here is how to deal with common types of acne.
1. Whiteheads
Whiteheads form when oil and dead skin cells block a pore. They look like small white or skin coloured bumps.
Do not squeeze them. Instead, use a gentle cleanser and a suitable acne treatment. Salicylic acid may help clear blocked pores, while adapalene can help prevent new ones.
2. Blackheads
Blackheads form when a blocked pore stays open. The dark colour is not dirt, so scrubbing will not solve the problem.
Use a proper acne product rather than pressing the spot with your nails. If blackheads are hard to remove, a dermatologist can offer safe extraction.
3. Red Pimples
A red pimple often means the skin is inflamed. It may feel sore when you touch it.
Avoid squeezing it, even if you can see a small white tip. A treatment with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid may help. Start with a small amount and follow the product label to minimise the risk of irritation.
4. Deep or Painful Pimples
Deep pimples may feel like hard lumps beneath the skin. They can be linked to nodular or cystic acne.
Never try to pop these spots. Squeezing them can increase the risk of scars and dark marks. A dermatologist can suggest treatment and may offer an injection to reduce a large, painful spot more quickly.
When to Pop a Pimple
There is no time when squeezing a pimple at home becomes risk free. A white tip does not prove that the spot is ready to be squeezed.
If you are confused about when to pop a pimple, focus on treating it instead. A hydrocolloid pimple patch can protect a small spot and absorb some fluid from its surface. It can also help stop you from touching or picking at the area.
For a deep, sore pimple, place a clean, warm, damp cloth on it for 10 to 15 minutes. You can repeat this procedure up to three times a day.
The warmth may help the spot move closer to the skin surface as it heals. Do not use water that is too hot.
If a blackhead or whitehead needs extraction, a trained skin care professional or dermatologist can assess it and remove it with the right tools.
How to Pop a Pimple Safely, Step by Step
First, try the gentlest option. A pimple patch can draw out fluid without any trauma to your skin. It also keeps your fingers away.
If you still decide to go ahead, follow these steps:
- Wash your hands well with soap and water.
- Clean the area with a gentle cleanser.
- Hold a warm, damp cloth on the spot for about ten minutes.
- Wrap your fingertips in clean tissue or soft cotton pads.
- Press gently on both sides of the pimple, not straight down.
- Stop as soon as nothing comes out or you see blood.
Do not dig with nails or sharp tools. Knowing when to stop is important even more than knowing when to start. The more you push, the more swelling you get.
What Should You Do If You Have Already Popped a Pimple?
If you have squeezed a spot, do not freak out. You can still care for the area and reduce further damage.
First, wash your hands. Gently clean the area with water and a mild cleanser. If it is bleeding, hold a clean cloth or gauze against it with gentle pressure.
Once the bleeding stops, leave the spot alone. Do not squeeze it again or try to remove more material. Avoid applying alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, or harsh scrubs, as these can cause irritation to the skin.
You can cover a small, clean spot with a proper hydrocolloid patch. If you notice spreading redness, increasing pain, warmth, swelling, or pus that keeps returning, seek medical advice.
If your acne is deep, painful, widespread, or leaving scars, see a dermatologist. Early treatment can help reduce the risk of lasting skin damage.
Also Read: What Causes Varicose Veins?
