Should I pop my pimple if it's white?

Author: Prof. Vivian Howell  |  Last update: Saturday, June 7, 2025

“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.

Is it better to pop a white pimple or leave it?

Is It Better to Pop or Leave a Pimple? The best approach with a pimple is to leave it alone. Though it might not be the fastest method, it reduces the risk of skin damage.

What to do when a pimple is white?

Nonprescription medications can get rid of whiteheads on your face. Some medications include: Salicylic acid: This is available over-the-counter for whiteheads as a cleanser or lotion. It helps remove the top layer of damaged skin.

Is it okay to pop a yellow pimple?

Popping, squeezing or picking at a pimple can lead to infection. You can treat mild infections at home with warm compresses and acne-fighting creams. Some infections require antibiotics. To avoid an infected pimple, never pop zits and keep your skin clean.

Do pimples heal faster when popped?

It's tempting, but popping or squeezing a pimple won't necessarily get rid of the problem. Squeezing can push bacteria and pus deeper into the skin, which might cause more swelling and redness. Squeezing also can lead to scabs and might leave you with permanent pits or scars.

Why You Should NEVER Pop a Pimple

What is the white stuff in pimples?

The 'white stuff' that comes out of a blackhead or more commonly in pimples is pus. Pus is formed from inflamed debris, dead white blood cells and is also produced as the body's response to bacteria invading the system. This can it will heal on its own without treatment.

How do you get rid of white pimples ASAP?

  1. Apply Ice to the Pimple: ...
  2. Apply a Paste of Crushed Aspirin to the Pimple. ...
  3. Use An Over-the-Counter Acne Spot Treatment. ...
  4. Use Makeup with Salicylic Acid to Conceal Pimples. ...
  5. Apply a Face Mask for Acne. ...
  6. Get a Cortisone Injection to Quickly Get Rid of a Pimple.

Should you put ice on a white pimple?

Ice may help reduce redness, swelling, and pain in inflammatory-type pimples, including pustules and cysts. However, ice may have little to no effect on noninflammatory pimples, such as comedones, more commonly known as blackheads and whiteheads.

How to get clear skin?

Follow these tips for gentle skin care:
  1. Limit bath time. Some experts say it's ideal to bathe for no longer than five minutes at a time. ...
  2. Don't use strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from the skin. ...
  3. Shave carefully. ...
  4. Pat dry. ...
  5. Moisturize dry skin.

How do you pop a white hard pimple?

Never pop a hard pimple, as it can lead to scars or infection, especially if not done correctly. There are some at-home methods a person can try to help with hard pimples. These include using products that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, warm compresses, or ice packs.

What to do if you accidentally pop a pimple and it bleeds?

Using a cloth or tissue, keep pressure on the blemish. After one to two minutes, the bleeding should stop. Try not to touch the open wound with your bare fingers. Body oils and dirt might make matters worse and prevent the pimple from going away as quickly as it should.

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.

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 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.

Should you remove white pimples?

It is best to avoid popping whiteheads, which can spread dirt, oil, and bacteria. It can also lead to further irritation and scarring. Home remedies for whiteheads focus on preventing them. They include exfoliating the skin, removing extra oil from the pores, and killing bacteria.

Is it OK to pop white pimples?

You may be tempted to pop this unwanted guest, but it's not a good idea. Contrary to what pimple popping videos may show, squeezing your skin to extract the contents of a pimple — a mixture of oil, dead skin and bacteria — can cause scarring and infection.

How do I remove a white pimple?

A quick look at the 10 best home remedies for whiteheads
  1. Best for clearing clogged pores: Facial steam.
  2. Best natural antimicrobial: Apple cider vinegar.
  3. Best low cost astringent: Lemon juice.
  4. Best antiseptic: Tea tree oil.
  5. Best antibacterial: Honey.
  6. Best for reducing excess oil: Witch hazel.
  7. Best exfoliant: Salicylic acid.

Can an ice cube remove pimples?

Although putting an ice cube on certain areas of the skin can be great for reducing swelling and inflammation for certain types of pimples, it's not a treatment. It's also not something that's recommended to do too often as this can lead to ice burns and cause the pimple to actually get worse.

What age is acne the worst?

Acne is a common issue for many people, especially for teenagers and young adults in their 20s. Some have mild symptoms, while others can have very severe issues. Acne effects around 90% of adolescents with the prime age across all genders being the teenage years of 14-19 years old.

Can I put toothpaste on a white pimple?

Toothpaste is an acne remedy that has no evidence to support it. It may even cause problems such as skin irritation and over drying.

Why does my pimple hurt when I touch it?

These raised, red spots are blockages that develop when hair follicles on the skin get clogged with dead skin cells, oil or bacteria, according to the Mayo Clinic. And it's this blockage that can lead to discomfort. When bacteria or other gunk clog a pore, the result can be an infection.

What happens if you don't pop a pimple?

If you do nothing, your body will naturally burst the hair follicle, which unclogs the pore where the pimple was. But we know waiting is the hardest part, so keep reading for some tips for speeding up the process—without doing extra damage.

Is it bad to squeeze nose pores?

Squeezing the sebaceous filaments can lead to unintentional harm such as scarring or inflammation. Although they help to channel the flow of oil within a given pore, allowing it to come to the surface, ingredients like salicylic or glycolic acid help to keep them clean.

How to remove pimples overnight?

  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.

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