A pimple goes through three stages: the initial, middle and the final one. This excess oil along with dead skin cells and dirt clogs your pores. This, of course, is the stage where it is most visible, increasing the urge to burst it in an attempt to subside it.
The final stage of the pimple is when it dries out and starts to scab, on its way out of your skin, bringing the possibility of leaving a scar. No situation makes popping a pimple okay or less harmful for your skin. Be gentle, though, and try not to knock off the scab that is trying to form. You can also use a touch of witch hazel on a cotton ball or swab. Carefully dab the popped pimple with this solution a few times a day, at least until a good scab forms.
Again, don't aggressively rub at it or disrupt the forming scab. Although lots of people suggest cleaning a popped pimple with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, those can sting. They also aren't as effective as witch hazel at reducing inflammation. If you've really gone to town squeezing at a blemish, you probably have a big, swollen, red bump on your face right about now. Ice is the best way to soothe it down and reduce inflammation. Use an ice cube or cold pack, either wrapped in a soft cloth or paper towel.
Apply it over the swollen area for a few minutes at a time, several times a day. This will help take down the swelling and make your popped pimple look and feel a whole lot better. A warm compress may help too. If your popped pimple isn't swollen and already has formed a scab, icing the area won't do anything, so you can just skip this step. Treat your popped pimple like an open wound, because that's basically what it is.
An over-the-counter antibiotic ointment is your best friend. Dot a tiny amount directly on the popped pimple or scab. This will help speed up healing time. It also keeps the scab moist, so it won't look as dry, crackly, and obvious.
Keep a picked-at pimple covered with a small amount of ointment until it's fully healed. This can take a few days. Also, make sure you're only covering the pimple, not the skin around it especially if it's on your face.
Antibiotic ointment may clog your pores, so you want to keep it just in the area where it's needed. If you're using any over-the-counter OTC acne products or prescription acne medications , you should continue to do so.
Most acne medications have antibacterial properties that should be helpful in getting the pimple to heal. Apply a topical treatment: Once the zit has stopped bleeding, Dr. Anolik recommends treating it with a salicylic acid topical product that will work to dry it out while nixing bacteria. Leave it alone: Of course it's tempting to mess with your open acne wound, but it's so , so important to leave it alone.
Anolik, which applies until it's fully healed. Mudgil adds that you should not squeeze it as it's "a surefire way to get a blemish or a scar.
This should take care of that sucker, but if it doesn't, it's best to make an appointment with a dermatologist.
Elbuluk says, like a cleanser containing salicylic acid, a spot treatment containing benzoyl peroxide, or a prescription retinoid.
This is also a great reminder of why it can be so helpful to have an ongoing relationship with a board-certified dermatologist you trust. Stevenson says she can squeeze people in for a cortisone injection which will treat the pimple within 48 hours at short notice—as long as you can agree to set up a follow-up appointment for anything else you want to talk about.
The best alternative to popping a pimple is, well, treating it. Products that contain salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or a retinoid are the key, our experts tell us. In particular, Dr. Elbuluk recommends trying over-the-counter salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide products.
And Dr. Stevenson says a prescription-strength product containing benzoyl peroxide and a retinoid is her go-to. All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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