Here’s Exactly How to Pop a Pimple Without Scarring Your Skin, According to Derms
Few things are more tempting than picking at a new zit that’s just appeared. After all, it’s pretty gratifying to see the built-up gunk release from your pores—plus, they always seem to crop up at the most inconvenient times (like right before date night). And, honestly, it can feel like they take forever to go away. While most experts recommend against popping them yourself, if you’re determined to do it regardless of the naysayers, you should first know exactly how to pop a pimple safely for the best results and to avoid repercussions like scarring.
“Generally, we recommend not to pop a pimple. A pimple usually goes away after a few days,” notes Kevin Sharghi, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “Popping a pimple, although tempting and immediately satisfying, has a high risk of bleeding, scarring, and even infection.”
While these risks and side effects are not at all uncommon, we do have some good news, pimple poppers: squeezing at your skin, when done safely, properly, and on the right kinds of blemishes can actually help get rid of bacteria and dead skin cells found in the pus of a pimple and might help a blemish go away faster, according to Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., double board certified adult pediatric and fellowship-trained cosmetic dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ.
Ready to learn how to pop a pimple? If you’re determined to remove a spot on your skin yourself, there are a few tips to do so safely. Ahead, find expert tips for popping a pimple at home and some expert-approved alternatives for getting them to heal faster.
How to pop a pimple
First and foremost: Know that if you choose to pop a pimple at home, you’re entering a danger zone by welcoming the repercussions mentioned above like scarring, hyperpigmentation, and infection. However, if you’d like to know how to pop a pimple in the safest way possible, be sure to follow the below tips from Dr. Lal.
1. Know which pimples are safe to pop.
Pimples that Dr. Lal says are the safest to squeeze yourself are those that come to a head, or have a little white pus-filled bump at the center. These pimples are more easily popped when using gentle pressure (which is necessary for safety).
Red pimples that are firm and do not come to a head should not be popped. These pimples are much deeper in the skin, and squeezing at them carries a much higher risk for side effects like scarring and hyperpigmentation.
Dr. Lal also warns against popping any pimples around the nose and intermedial cheek area, since popping pimples in this area carries risk of cavernous sinus thrombosis, a rare but very dangerous side effect that can cause blindness and even death.
2. Be gentle.
Light pressure is key when popping a pimple yourself to avoid scarring and hyperpigmentation. Dr. Lal suggests using two Q-tips to gently squeeze the pimple from each side until you begin to see the white pus come out. Avoid popping pimples to completion—you want to get rid of the pus and nothing else, so if you see blood, you’ve gone too far.
3. Keep it clean.
Along with gentle pressure, working with clean and sanitized skin, fingers, and instruments is key. While Dr. Lal does not suggest using rubbing alcohol on pimples post-popping, he says it’s perfectly okay to use prior to popping a pimple to gently clean the area and avoid introducing bacteria to the skin.
4. Follow up with proper aftercare.
Dr. Lal notes that any time you are popping a pimple, “you are creating an open wound, and when you create a wound, you need the wound to heal appropriately.” That’s where aftercare plays an important role.
Applying any sort of active ingredient like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinoid is a bad idea since these ingredients will cause major irritation, redness, and increase the risk for hyperpigmentation. You can resume using these ingredients once your pimple has healed. Instead, Dr. Lal recommends using hydrocolloid patches, or pimple patches, to prevent bacteria from getting into the skin, help the blemish heal faster, and potentially minimize the risk for scarring and hyperpigmentation.
Alternatives to popping a pimple
Want to clear your skin, but don’t want to assume the risks of popping a pimple yourself? There are many ways to get rid of acne without squeezing your face at home. After all, “if you don’t want to squeeze a pimple and you’re nervous, the best thing to do is to not do it,” Dr. Lal says. Try these dermatologist-approved ways to banish blemishes instead:
1. See a professional.
A visit to your dermatologist is often the wisest choice when dealing with acne. If a dermatologist opts to extract or “pop” a pimple on your face, they use “sterile and delicate instruments to extract blackheads and whiteheads,” explains Dr. Sharghi. “We can [also] inject a mild steroid into blemishes or cysts to help heal them faster.”
These professional methods are much better alternatives considering the risks and side effects that are possible when performing extractions at home. A dermatologist can also work with you to optimize your skincare regimen and offer various methods of treatment that are best suited for you and your skin concerns.
2. Try a spot treatment.
“Consider picking up over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide gel to use as a spot treatment for pimples,” Dr. Sharghi suggests. “This acne-fighting medication has been used for many years with great success. Be mindful, this medication can irritate some people’s skin and can even bleach fabrics.” In addition to benzoyl peroxide and other spot treatments like glycolic acid that can help minimize breakouts, Dr. Lal also recommends trying a 1% hydrocortisone cream, as the anti-inflammatory properties can help pimples shrink.
3. Use a cold or warm compress.
Some types of acne, like cystic acne, can be rather painful, Dr. Shargi notes—so, “sometimes an ice pack can help cool them down and soothe pain.” Alternatively, if you have a very big pimple that turns into a boil and begins to drain, a warm compress can be helpful. However, Dr. Lal notes that warmth will increase inflammation, so your blemish will get more red before it gets better.
How to remove a blackhead
Like whiteheads, removing blackheads at home poses some risks. However, Dr. Lal notes that it is generally safe to do so provided you take the proper safety precautions he outlines below:
1. Soften the skin.
Removing a blackhead is easiest when the skin is soft. So, try taking a warm shower prior to removing a blackhead to help the contents of the pore release with less effort.
2. Clean the area.
Cleanliness is key with any sort of extraction, blackheads included. Cleanse and sanitize the area with a small amount of alcohol on a cotton pad before you get started to avoid the risk of infection.
3. Use a comedone extractor.
Comedone extractors are small metal tools with two holes on either end that can be used to remove blackheads and whiteheads. Simply place the hole on top of the blackhead and press down firmly yet gently to remove it. Be sure to sanitize the comedone extractor with alcohol before and after each use to avoid infection. And don’t apply too much pressure as to avoid scarring.
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