Use topical creams and gels: Antibiotic creams, retinoids, salicylic acid and other lotions, cleansers and serums can reduce bacteria or dry out pimples. There are many types of topical acne creams, including benzoyl peroxide. Ask your healthcare provider which ones are right for you.
Applying a warm compress can help treat a blind pimple. The heat can open up pores, which may draw the pimple closer to the skin's surface and create a head. The formation of a head enables the sebum, cells, and bacteria to exit the skin. The heat from the compress can also help relieve pain.
The exact cause of blind pimples varies based on multiple factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, medications, stress and even sweat. But all blind pimples essentially develop from pores that are blocked by bacteria, dead skin, hair and sebum (oil that protects your skin).
But in the case of blind pimples, you actually can't pop them. Since they are beneath the skin and have no 'head', there isn't a clear pathway for you to remove the pus or bacteria from your skin [2]. If you try to squeeze a blind pimple, you're only going to cause more inflammation.
Vaseline doesn't help acne, however, using petroleum jelly on your face may cause breakouts. In other situations, Vaseline is good for your skin if it's dry or needs protection against blisters and rashes.
People cannot remove pimples overnight, but home care can lessen swelling and may improve the appearance of pimples. Keeping the area clean, using ice, and hot compresses can help. For persistent or recurring pimples, people may wish to try acne treatments.
Can I pop a blind pimple? Never try to pop or squeeze a blind pimple. Doing so pushes the oil and bacteria deeper, causing more inflammation and increasing the risk of infection.
Because of how deep-set pimples under the skin are, it's important to avoid squeezing to try and pop them. This will only irritate them and can cause infection. Instead, use supportive formulas which help to unclog and exfoliate the area.
Your body can gradually break down pus and reabsorb its components. That's why small accumulations of pus (like in a pimple) often don't need treatment.
Toothpaste formulas weren't made for our skin or spots — simple as that! Ingredients like fluoride, abrasives, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and triclosan can aggravate spots rather than make them better. Unlike ingredients targeting pimples, these won't unclog pores or target acne-causing bacteria.
Pustules are a type of pimple that contains yellowish pus. They are larger than whiteheads and blackheads. Home remedies and over-the-counter creams may help treat pustules. Pustules appear either as red bumps with white centers or as white bumps that are hard and often tender to the touch.
Benzoyl peroxide: Topical treatments with benzoyl peroxide also work well for banishing blind pimples, since benzoyl peroxide can kill the bacteria and reduce inflammation. Tea tree oil is another great anti-inflammatory that will help penetrate the skin and kill the bacteria, adds Dr. Young.
Toothpaste is not an effective treatment for pimples. If pimples are a regular problem for you, consider an acne treatment regimen. Over-the-counter acne products and prescription acne medications help to prevent pimples and heal existing ones. Using these treatments consistently can help keep your skin clear.
Should you try slugging if you're acne-prone? Dr. Ganz says you can still try slugging if you're acne-prone, but be sure your skin is thoroughly cleansed. While petroleum jelly won't cause pimples, it can trap bacteria on your skin, which can worsen acne.
So once you've cleansed and dried the area, spot treat that erupting face volcano with a thick occlusive like petroleum jelly (a.k.a. petrolatum, the main ingredient in Vaseline and Aquaphor). According to Dr. Zeichner, this will lock in moisture and help your skin repair itself.
Milia: Tiny but Tricky
The little whitish-yellowish bump will appear smaller and feel harder than a typical whitehead. Treatment Options: Although it is tempting to squeeze, forget it. Milia won't pop like a pimple because they're encased in a layer of skin.
If they don't respond to treatment at home, a dermatologist can perform a manual extraction, prescribe medications, or recommend procedures like laser resurfacing. Never try to extract milia on your own. Milia can't be popped, and attempting to remove them yourself can cause complications like a skin infection.
A syringoma is a firm bump that resembles a pimple (papule) on your skin that usually forms in small clusters or groups on your skin, most often on your face. Syringomas are the result of your overgrowth of your sweat glands. These bumps are harmless to your body.
Using a cotton pad to apply a diluted solution of apple cider vinegar and water to the affected area may help remove dead skin cells and potentially aid in milia resolution. However, be cautious because undiluted apple cider vinegar may irritate the skin.