Why do under the skin pimples form?

Author: Agustin Abernathy PhD  |  Last update: Friday, November 21, 2025

Pores in the skin can clog with excess oil and dead skin cells, causing pimples. Bacteria can enter the skin pores and get trapped along with the oil and skin cells. The skin reaction causes swelling deep in the skin's middle layer (the dermis).

Why am I getting a lot of under the skin pimples?

If your body makes too much sebum or you don't clean your skin properly, the oil and skin cells build up under your skin and form pus. It becomes trapped and can't get to your skin's surface to leave your body. A pimple forms, causing pain and inflammation.

How do you get rid of a pimple that is forming under the skin?

A blind pimple is one that develops under the skin. A warm compress, pimple stickers, tea tree oil, or over-the-counter topical remedies may help remove a pimple under the skin. Blind pimples do not initially have a head like some other types of pimples.

How do you reduce pimples under the skin?

Treatments for Blind Pimples
  1. Benzoyl peroxide. This antiseptic reduces bacteria on the skin. ...
  2. Retinoids. Also available as either foams, gels or creams, these work by increasing the rate of skin cell turnover and reducing sebum production. ...
  3. Antibiotics. Topical antibiotics reduce bacteria on the skin that can cause acne.

How do you draw a blind pimple out?

Drink lots of water. After a shower (the steam assists greatly in the drawing-out process), take a clean face cloth or a thick cotton pad and dip it into a sink of hot but not-too-hot-to-touch water. Hold this compress on the pimple for as long as possible. Re-dip in the water when it cools down.

4 Secrets to Get Rid of Acne Naturally | Dr. Josh Axe

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.

Why are blind pimples so painful?

The main difference is in the case of a blind pimple; the infection gets trapped deep in the skin, and because there is no “head” on the surface of your skin, pressure can build and cause tenderness.

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 happens if you don't pop a pimple?

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.

How long do under skin pimples last?

How long do pimples last? Pimples usually last between three and seven days. Most pimples go away on their own, but it may take some time. Deep pimples (pimples under your skin with no head that may feel hard to the touch) may take a few weeks to go away, if not longer.

Does toothpaste help pimples?

Putting toothpaste on a pimple won't help it go away faster. 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 did my pimple turn into a lump under my skin?

Pores in the skin can clog with excess oil and dead skin cells, causing pimples. Bacteria can enter the skin pores and get trapped along with the oil and skin cells. The skin reaction causes swelling deep in the skin's middle layer (the dermis). This infected, red, swollen lump is an acne cyst.

Do pimple patches work on blind pimples?

Pimple patches, acne stickers and acne patches are really helpful, specifically for blind pimples. You'll find unmedicated and medicated versions. Medicated patches, like ones that use benzoyl peroxide, help kill off unnecessary bacteria. But hydrocolloid patches are perhaps the most beneficial.

How to tell if acne is hormonal or bacterial?

How to Tell if Acne is Hormonal or Bacterial?
  1. Breakout Zones: Bacterial acne typically invades the forehead, nose, and cheeks, while hormonal acne prefers the chin, jawline, and lower face.
  2. Timing: Hormonal acne often adheres to a cyclic pattern, intensifying before menstruation and subsiding afterward.

How to draw out a pimple overnight?

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.

What are pimple pearls?

Dr. Lee uses the video to educate about the difference between a whitehead and a milia, which can sometimes appear quite similar. Milia are bumps containing keratin that has been trapped underneath the skin, and are sometimes called “baby acne” or “Epstein pearls."

Why is there a hard seed in my pimple?

Hard pimples are the result of dead skin cells or bacteria getting under the skin. Hard pimples are deep, often large, and occasionally pus-filled. They can be one of the most difficult types of pimples to get rid of.

Why do pimples hurt until you pop them?

The redness, swelling, and inflammation cause the pain. The body knows that the dead skin, oil, and bacteria are supposed to be in the hair follicle (which is outside the skin). So, as your body tries to push it out, you end up with more sensitivity in the area.

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.

Does ice help pimples overnight?

The answer is isn't all that simple. Ice doesn't necessarily help clear up acne or pimples — particularly if you're suffering from cystic and nodular acne — but it can help inflammation. This works because acne is an inflammatory condition meaning that it causes flare-ups that contribute to swelling and redness.

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.

Why do some pimples explode when popped?

It's not just the pus that you're moving, you're also moving the core. The pressure from popping a pimple can cause the wall of the pore to burst. This happens below the skin surface where you can't see it.

What happens to blackheads if not popped?

Pimples: If you leave blackheads be, they can get all irritated and turn into pimples. Bacteria can build up in those clogged pores, making them red and swollen. Acne and Acne Scars: Stubborn blackheads can actually pave the way for acne to step in.

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