Is it better to pop a pimple or let it heal?

Author: Ms. Kallie Wolf MD  |  Last update: Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Because popping isn't the way to go, patience is the key. Your pimple will disappear on its own, and by leaving it alone you're less likely to be left with any reminders that it was there. To dry a pimple up faster, apply 5% benzoyl peroxide gel or cream once or twice a day.

Do pimples heal faster if you pop them?

It's best to leave pimples alone to heal. Attempting to pop one may prolong your breakout and lead to scarring and infection. If you are going to go ahead and pop a pimple, take steps to minimize the risk of skin damage and a worsened infection.

Is it better to leave pimples or pop them?

"It's best to let a pimple run through its life span," Rice says. Left alone, a blemish will heal itself in 3 to 7 days. Popped improperly, it can linger for weeks or lead to scarring.

Should I pop my pimple if it is white?

“Not really”, says Lauren Taglia, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at Northwestern Medicine. “But if you must pop, wait until the pimple has been around a few days and has developed a white head, indicating there is pus near the surface. Avoid popping new pimples or those that are red or sore,” she advises.

Should you squeeze blood out of a pimple?

Pressing pimples should be done carefully and very gently. And it's a huge mistake if you press so hard that there's blood. Most people mistakenly think that one should press and squeeze a pimple until blood comes out. You do not have to!

How I Cleared My Acne

Will acne scar if you don't pop it?

scarring can happen whether you pick at your acne or not, but here's why you should still avoid the urge to pop. "Inflammation-related acne scarring aside, aggressively pinching or squeezing a pimple or whitehead just makes the underlying inflammation worse. This, in turn, makes scarring even more likely.

Where does the pus go if you don't pop a pimple?

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.

What to do if I popped a pimple in the Triangle of Death?

Avoid picking or squeezing the popped breakout to let your skin heal naturally. If you notice any signs of potential infection like redness, increased pain, pus, or inflammation surrounding the blemish, contact a healthcare professional immediately.

What's the difference between a zit and a pimple?

Both zit and pimple refer to the same thing: a small, red, swollen spot (or “inflamed elevation,” if you're fancy) on the skin. Zit is generally considered an informal or slangy synonym of pimple, which itself is less formal, medically speaking, than either papule or pustule.

What happens to a pimple if you don't pop it?

Your pimple will disappear on its own, and by leaving it alone you're less likely to be left with any reminders that it was there. To dry a pimple up faster, apply 5% benzoyl peroxide gel or cream once or twice a day.

How to get rid of a pimple fast?

  1. Dab on some benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is an effective acne treatment that has been around for decades. ...
  2. Apply a little ice. ...
  3. Use products with salicylic acid. ...
  4. Apply some hydrocortisone cream. ...
  5. Use a pimple patch. ...
  6. Try a little tea tree oil. ...
  7. Visit your dermatologist.

What is the hard white stuff in pimples?

Pustules: These are pus-filled pimples that look like whiteheads surrounded by discolored rings. Picking or scratching your pustules can cause scarring. Cysts: These are pimples filled with a thick, yellow or white fluid composed of dead white blood cells, small pieces of tissue and bacteria (pus).

Why do zits pop twice?

The other half of the pus gets sucked inside since you're putting pressure when you release. It just stays there. You can't get it out anymore because it's inflamed and irritated. That's why pimples come back on the same spot, sometimes bigger than the one before it.”

How can I speed up the healing of a pimple?

How to Heal a Popped Pimple Fast
  1. Apply Benzoyl Peroxide.
  2. Use Salicylic Acid.
  3. Try Natural Remedies.
  4. Apply Makeup.
  5. Injections.
  6. Don't Pick.
  7. Treat an Open Pimple.
  8. Continue Treatments.

Should I put Vaseline on a popped pimple?

Apply an ointment

A simple bland ointment like Aquaphor or Vaseline works. But if it's more inflamed or pus comes out, you may want to use an OTC antibiotic ointment like Neosporin to prevent infection.

What is the danger zone on your face?

The section of your face from the bridge of your nose to the corners of your mouth is sometimes known as the “danger triangle of the face,” or even the “triangle of death.” And it's one place where you should never pop a pimple, as it can lead to an infection in your brain.

Why do some pimples squirt blood?

It can happen when you pop, squeeze, scratch or over-exfoliate a pimple, breaking the surrounding blood vessels. If you have frequent blood-filled pimples or other acne problems, talk to your primary care provider or dermatologist. Several remedies are available over the counter and by prescription.

Should you pop pimples when they are white?

Whiteheads form when blocked pores close. These blemishes are close to the surface of the skin, so it does not usually require much intervention to get the contents out. The only whiteheads that are suitable to pop are those that look as though they are almost ready to burst on their own.

Can I pop a blind pimple with a needle?

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.

What happens if you don't let pus out?

If you don't get a skin abscess drained, it can continue to grow and fill with pus until it bursts. A burst abscess can be very painful and cause the infection to spread. Treatment for tooth and other mouth abscesses is especially important. Untreated tooth abscesses can kill you.

Do pimples scar if you don't pop them?

Any type of acne spot can lead to scarring, but it's more common when the most serious types of spots (nodules and cysts) burst and damage nearby skin. Scarring can also occur if you pick or squeeze your spots, so it's important not to do this.

Why did my pimple leave a hole?

Acne holes are scars or pick marks from pimples. They usually look like indentations or holes in the skin. Acne holes occur due to damage in the deeper layers of the skin after popping pimples.

Does picking pimples make it worse?

Popping a pimple should be avoided. Popping can force the contents of the pimple into deeper tissues. This can lead to skin inflammation, the formation of new pimples in nearby areas, scarring, and discoloration. In some cases, the damage caused to the skin may be permanent.

How to shrink a cystic pimple overnight?

Home remedies, such as cleansing the skin, applying ice, and using benzoyl peroxide, can help shrink a cystic pimple. However, in some cases, cystic acne may require dermatological help. Cystic acne is a severe form of acne that causes large bumps to form under the skin.

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