Everything You Need to Know About (Not) Popping Pimples

Mornings are great. A fresh start where you're (ideally) bursting with REM-provided energy, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed about the new day opening up in front of you. But mornings are also the no-makeup truth zone that will clearly show you the face you've earned with yesterday's choices.

So you wake up, roll out of bed, and squint your way over to the bathroom to splash some awake elixir on your face (water, it's water). As you raise your head to look at a friendly face in the mirror, it is there, rudely there. A white-tipped bump, at times, adorned with a fashionable ring of red, a pimple mocking you and just daring you to pop it, taunting with its bulging rudeness until your fingers are just so close you can feel it. It would only take a squeeze. But no! You remember you're better than this, gathering all of your self-control to not pick at your face.

And even though real beauty has practically zero to do with appearance (despite what movies, television, fashion magazines, and advertisements may try to convince you of), these swollen, puffy, and sore little zits can negatively impact your self-esteem and self-image.

What Is a Pimple?

While it may sometimes seem like pimples appear out of nowhere and they love to make an entrance in the morning, they have an origin story that started way before you saw the pimple staring back at you. The entire surface of our body is covered in tiny openings in the skin called ‘pores’ that get clogged for a variety of reasons. There are two kinds of pores with different functions: Sweat glands and sebaceous glands.

Sweat glands help regulate body temperature by producing perspiration, while sebaceous glands produce sebum, a mix of fats and proteins that waterproofs the skin and protects it from bacteria. Sebaceous glands also contain hair follicles, which help transport sebum to the surface. However, sometimes, sebum doesn’t make it out and gets trapped inside the pore, along with dead skin cells and bacteria, forming a plug that clogs the pore. This can lead to swelling and create different types of pimples, including the well-known whiteheads and blackheads.

What are whiteheads? 

Whiteheads usually occur when clogged pores are almost entirely closed, which causes them to trap even more sebum and ultimately form a pus-filled, light-colored tip.

And blackheads? 

Conversely, blackheads are clogged pores that remain open, allowing the plug to harden and darken due to oxidation. Aside from the open pore, blackheads also typically don't swell as much as whiteheads. They are just not very pretty to look at, and they degrade your skin texture.

While pimples often carry a stigma of poor hygiene, they are usually the result of hormonal changes rather than issues with regular hygiene. Tectonic hormonal changes are more common in teenagers, but a large percentage of the grown-up population also experiences acne. So, when a pimple appears, it might be tempting to pop it, but that's generally not a good idea. Why?
 

The Dangers of Pimple Popping

While it might be tempting to evacuate them from your face (literally), popping pimples, especially in unsanitary conditions, can lead to a lot of problems:

- It can introduce new bacteria into the area, potentially causing an infection. 
- Pus, sebum, and bacteria released during popping can also spread to other pores, leading to even more breakouts. 
- Popping can damage sensitive tissue, sometimes pushing the sebum plug even deeper into the pore, worsening the problem. 
- Additionally, popped pimples can leave scars. After popping, the pore remains irritated and swollen, often longer than if you had left it alone.

In short, don't do it whenever you can muster the self-control! If you get the occasional pimple, let it heal; most will clear up within 3–7 days. And if the urge is still there, you can watch one of the many interesting pimple-popping videos online to take the edge; many people find them quite satisfying. 

If you suffer from constant, uncomfortable acne, then reexamine your cleansing process and see a dermatologist who can help you create a targeted, personalized plan.

How to Pop a Pimple the Right Way

Despite the warnings of the previous chapter, we know sometimes they just need to be popped, and we’ll pop them regardless of all the good advice in the world. We’ve all been there. So, for those who’re going to pop anyway, we’ll at least help you minimize the damage.

Here is a step-by-step guide for safely popping a whitehead and some tips on dealing with blackheads.

Pick the right one. 

Not all pimples are poppable in all phases of development. Pimples that feel like they are rooted deep under the skin should never ever be popped because you’ll likely damage the tissue between the plug and the surface. Wait until a pimple has a firm, white head before you attempt a spectacular pop.

Clean hands and face. 

One of the biggest threats from popping pimples is the potential for introducing new bacteria and infection. Before tackling any of your poppable zits, gently (but thoroughly) wash your face and hands with antibacterial soap and warm water. A pro tip is to be sure to clean underneath your fingernails. Particular soft silicone cleansing brushes can help clear away residual bacteria or grime, leaving your face clean and ready for the next step.

One such device is FOREO's timeless classic and the world's favorite facial cleansing brush - LUNA™. This revolutionary device removes 99% of dirt, oil, and makeup residue in one minute while firming and refreshing your face. Made from ultra-hygienic silicone and powered by patented T-Sonic™ massage, LUNA™ 4 Facial Cleansing Device provides the most effective yet gentle cleanse and a massage that will revive your senses and take those first telltale signs of aging on the face.  

Sterilize a needle. 

Although it may be tempting (oh so maddeningly tempting) to pop the pimple by squeezing the life out of it, it is much safer to use a sterilized fine-tip needle. Wash the needle with soap and water, then dip it in rubbing alcohol or bleach. Let any excess liquid drip off, being careful not to get any on your clothing or skin.

Lance the pimple. 

Position the needle vertically to the surface of your skin, with the point directed at the tip of the whitehead. Gently pierce the tip of the center of the pimple, being careful not to push it through the opposite side of the pimple. This shouldn’t cause any pain, as the skin covering the tip of the pimple should already be dead.

If you experience any pain, the pimple is not yet close enough to the surface to be popped, so stop and let the pimple heal naturally.

Remove the needle. 

Slowly pull the needle out from the pimple. In many cases, the pressure from the swollen pimple will automatically begin to push out the pus. Have a small bit of tissue on hand to catch any ejected pus before it can touch the surrounding skin.

Apply pressure. 

Gently press on either side of the zit's whitehead using two clean cotton swabs. Move the cotton swabs a few times to avoid too much pressure on a single area. The remaining pus should be easily pushed out from the pimple. Continue until only clear fluid comes out. If the pus doesn’t come out easily, discontinue your attempt.

Clean up. 

After you’ve popped the pimple, wash your face and hands a second time with antibacterial soap, and then apply a small amount of alcohol to the remains of the blemish—this will help keep bacteria from spreading.

Popping on the go

We really can’t stress this enough: Popping a pimple without taking the proper precautions can lead to scarring, breakouts, and infection. If you absolutely must pop quickly, cover your fingers with tissue paper, and be careful not to put too much pressure for too long. Instead, move your fingers to different spots as you squeeze to minimize damage. However, squeezing a pimple will still damage your skin, so we don’t recommend it.
 

Post-Pop Recovery

Once you’ve popped the pimple, there are a few steps that you need to take to heal correctly. Here are some tips for proper care:

• Clean thoroughly. We partially covered this in the last section, but we’ll again stress how important it is to clean the area thoroughly. It would help if you cleaned the area directly around the popped pimple with antibacterial soap and your entire face and hands to remove any bacteria or pus.

   

• Apply Acne Treatment Products: Some pimples return after being popped. To prevent them from returning, apply an acne product containing salicylic acid directly to the area. Salicylic acid helps break down any remaining sebum in the pores.

   

• An excellent example of such a product is ESPADA™ BHA+PHA Blemish Solution. This concentrated yet lightweight gel is formulated with a power-packed combination of ingredients. It quickly targets breakouts on the surface of your skin. Unlike most acne medications, which can cause unsightly dryness and peeling skin, ESPADA™ BHA+PHA Blemish Solution keeps skin moisturized. The result is a spotlessly clear, radiant complexion with no unpleasant tightness or flaking.

  

• Reduce the swelling. Even if the sebum has been extracted, many pimples will still remain painfully swollen. You can help relieve this swelling by wrapping an ice cube in a paper towel and applying it directly to the swollen area. Additionally, you can apply gel inside an ibuprofen gel capsule or a paste made from crushed aspirin and water to the site for similar results.

   

• Prevent scars. Proper pimple-popping techniques should minimize scarring, but you can further reduce the risk by applying a small dab of honey, lemon juice, or aloe vera gel to the pimple.

   

Following these steps can help your skin heal more effectively and reduce the risk of further breakouts and scarring.

Pimple Prevention

As we said, the most significant cause of pimples isn’t a lack of hygiene; it’s hormonal, but there are still a number of steps that you can take to minimize your chances of an outbreak.

Wash regularly and correctly

Sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria are the three main ingredients to produce a pimple. While sebum production may be out of your hands, regular washing of the face and hands can significantly cut down on the amount of dead skin cells and bacteria that find their way into your pores. When washing, be sure that you follow the proper skin cleansing routine and include gentle exfoliation with devices such as the LUNA™4 facial cleansing and anti-aging device to help break up and remove possible buildup before it clogs pores.

Adjust your diet

A healthy diet can reduce acne severity and duration. Adopt a diet low in sugar, alcohol, dairy (except Greek yogurt), and processed foods but rich in leafy greens, antioxidants, zinc, and polyphenols. Additionally, be mindful of greasy or fatty foods that can transfer from your hands to your face, contributing to clogged pores.

Use moisturizer

Overly dry skin is likely to become inflamed and can lead to more intense acne breakouts. Gentle, oil-free moisturizers can help keep your skin healthy and may prevent pimples. However, be aware that everyone’s skin is different, and while some may benefit from deep moisturizing, others might have to reach for lighter moisturizers; controlling oily skin is an issue that often requires unique solutions. We recommend KIWI™ Oil Control Mattifying Moisturizer—a lightweight formula that expertly hydrates while refining pores and controlling excess sebum. Specially designed for oily and breakout-prone skin, this moisturizer leaves your skin feeling silky smooth, matte, and free from shine without the risk of clogging pores and is a perfect calming aftercare after dermabrasion treatments.

A Safer Alternative to Popping

Although your first instinct when discovering a new whitehead may be to pinch it into oblivion, take a step back and consider the situation. There are a number of ways to deal with unsightly pimples.

For emergency breakout situations, there is the ESPADA™ 2 LED therapy device for recurring acne. Using professional-strength blue LED light, ESPADA™ targets and destroys blemish-causing bacteria, going down to the root cause of the problem- no popping required. T-Sonic™  pulsations boost the efficacy of blue light and help facilitate healing. Its medical-grade silicone body is antibacterial, so you never have to worry about spreading bacteria from spot to spot. With visible results after 30-second/blemish treatment, this handy little device will end your pimple-popping days for good.

Disclaimer: The information on this website and any related links are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. Do not use the information on this website to diagnose or treat any medical or health condition. If you have, or suspect you have, a medical problem, contact a professional healthcare provider.