Blind pimples are too far below the skin to pop. Trying will only irritate them further, and may cause infection or scarring. Instead of popping, try to bring the pimple to a head so it can exit the skin via other treatment methods. Use a product containing benzoyl peroxide.
A blind pimple, also known as cystic acne, is a pimple that lives beneath the surface of your skin and doesn't come to a head. It is often in the form of a red, painful bump beneath the skin. A blind pimple, also known as cystic acne, is a pimple that lives beneath the surface of your skin and doesn't come to a head.
While waiting is never fun, it's worth it when it comes to pimple-popping. Basically, what happens if you don't pop a whitehead is that it goes away on its own, usually in 3 to 7 days. It may happen that you wake up one morning and notice the pimple is gone. Or you may notice the pimple draining.
Although it might feel good to pop a pimple, dermatologists advise against it. Popping a pimple can cause infection and scarring, and it may make the pimple more inflamed and noticeable. It also delays the natural healing process. Due to this, it is usually best to leave pimples alone.
Applying a warm compress can help to 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 to relieve pain.
Nodules. Nodular acne consists of flesh-colored or red bumps that are deep under the skin's surface. It happens when a clogged pore gets inflamed. A nodule is different from a cyst in that it doesn't have any pus, so it feels hard to the touch.
“I never recommend attempting to pop, pick, or poke a blind pimple—this inevitably leads to more harm than good because the pimple does not have a connection to the surface of the skin, attempting to pick it will just increase your risk of an infection or scarring,” advises Dr. Zeichner.
Hard pimples develop when dead skin cells, sebum, and bacteria enter the skin's surface. Once under the skin, bacteria can multiply quickly. This can cause the skin to become irritated and even infected. Hard pimples appear as raised bumps on or under the skin's surface.
Apply an anti-acne product
Look for blind pimples products that contains salicylic acid, a BHA which is particularly good at unclogging pores.
Sterilize a needle with 70% isopropyl alcohol and gently prick the skin where your pore is clogged. Then extract the whitehead the same way you would a blackhead. After using an OTC astringent or acne medication and washing your hands thoroughly, apply pressure to both sides of the clogged pore to extract the plug.
A sebaceous cyst will grow into a moveable, sometimes significantly large (up to two inches in diameter) mass beneath the skin. Sebaceous cysts can grow and develop in weeks, months or even years. Acne, on the other hand, is characterized by smaller, more conical-shaped growths, often with a visible whitehead.
On the surface, cystic acne can look like large, red boils. Cysts, like nodules, reside deep underneath the skin's surface. But because they're filled with pus, cysts are softer than nodules. The pimples that define cystic acne burst open, often leading to infection.
Blind pimples usually tend to go away on their own after a few weeks. It can even take upto months for them to fade away. Under treatment, a blind pimple may take a few days and upto weeks to heal (5).
While it might seem that pimples form overnight, it actually takes between 1 – 2 weeks for an acne spot to fully develop.
After cleaning your hands and face, Dr. Shah recommends taking a straight pin and sterilizing the needle with a match or lighter. Once it cools, wipe the pin, your pimple, and your fingers down with rubbing alcohol. Then, holding the pin parallel to the skin, gently prick the top of the whitehead.
Warm compresses
Once the area surrounding the cyst is clean, apply a warm compress to the area. The warmth and moisture helps encourage the trapped substance to work its way out of the hair follicle without the need for popping the cyst. You can also use a soft warm, moist washcloth for the same results.
Cystic acne occurs when bacteria, dead skin cells, and sebum (the substance that makes your face feel oily) get trapped beneath the skin's surface and become infected. This leads to a large, swollen cyst (bump) that can hurt just to touch.
It's yellow or white, often with a small dark plug through which you might be able to squeeze out pus. Cysts can range in size from smaller than a pea to a few centimetres across. They grow slowly. Skin cysts do not usually hurt, but can become tender, sore and red if they become infected.
Do not squeeze the cyst or poke it with a needle to open it. This can cause swelling, redness, and infection. Always have a doctor look at any new lumps you get to make sure that they are not serious.
Try applying a hot, wet compress to the cyst a few times a day. The heat will help pull out the pus, allowing the cyst to drain. This can relieve pain and itching. You might also try soaking the area in a warm, shallow bath.
Blind pimple causes
Blind pimples are caused when excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells and bacteria, essentially creating a clog, explains Dr. Hartman. “It's the same causes as cystic acne—the main difference being that blind pimples will never make it to the surface of the face like most cystic acne will.”
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.
Blind pimples are the most common types of pimples — and the most painful. The two types of blind pimples are: Cysts: These blind pimples contain pus and may feel more spongy to the touch. Nodules: These blind pimples do not contain pus and feel more firm to the touch.