Should you squeeze blood out of a pimple?

Author: Prof. Winnifred Feeney  |  Last update: Tuesday, November 25, 2025

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!

Can you drain a blood-filled pimple?

Most of the time, blood-filled pimples will heal on their own if they are left alone. If someone squeezes the pimple before it heals, they may spread bacteria to other parts of the face and body.

What to do if blood comes out of a pimple?

Follow the five steps below to stop any pimple from bleeding — hopefully just in time for that big event.
  1. Apply Pressure. Using a cloth or tissue, keep pressure on the blemish. ...
  2. Use Ice. ...
  3. Apply Antibiotic Ointment. ...
  4. Cover the Spot. ...
  5. Leave the Site Alone.

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

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.

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.

The Only Right Way To Pop Your Pimples

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.

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'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.

How to shrink a pimple in minutes?

  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 I squeeze all the blood out of a pimple?

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.

Why do pimples refill after popping?

Plus, if you squeeze a zit that isn't ready, it could smear all the bacteria to adjacent locations, causing the spot to flare up again.

What to do after blood comes out of pimple?

Apply antibiotic ointment

Once the bleeding has stopped, Dr. Shainhouse recommends applying a small dab of antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin on the pimple.

What is a pimple with a hard white ball inside?

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.

What to put on a popped pimple overnight?

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.

What is the white stuff in a zit?

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. However, skin treatments such as the Acne Beta peel can assist in reducing the risk of future breakouts.

Why does my pimple hurt when I touch it?

An infected pimple happens when bacteria enter your skin, causing pain, redness and swelling. 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.

What are the 4 types of pimples?

Types of acne include:
  • Whiteheads: Plugged hair follicles that stay beneath the skin and produce a white bump.
  • Blackheads: Plugged follicles that reach the surface of the skin and open up. ...
  • Papules: Inflamed lesions that usually appear as small, pink bumps on the skin and can be tender to the touch.

Do pimples heal faster when popped?

Not only that, popping your pimples can keep them around for longer. “True acne pimples do not need to be 'popped' and will heal faster if they are left alone,” she adds. There's one exception to the rule: While you shouldn't try to burst your blemishes, a dermatologist may help.

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.

What happens if you never pop a pimple?

"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.

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.

What is the danger zone for pimples?

They break down the science of how to deal with aggravating acne at home, and when to get help from a dermatologist. The "triangle of death" refers to the zone of the face between the corners of one's mouth and the top of one's nose.

Why do some zits shoot out?

So the pimple simply explodes by itself, because of the huge pressure inside the pimple. This pressure explosion results in damaged and scared skin. Certainly, it is likely that it will cause a red mark on the skin, as you probably get a small wound, which will become a scar.

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