There are a few reasons a pimple might not be going away. It's normal for some types of acne—especially deep, large pimples—to take some time to clear up. You might also have persistent pimples if you're not taking care of your skin, taking certain medications, or have certain health conditions.
Unlike regular pimples that often heal within a few days, acne nodules may last for weeks or months. They tend not to develop a white head and may remain as hard knots under the skin. Nodular acne can be painful, and its appearance may affect a person's self-esteem.
This is because certain people have a genetic predisposition to producing lots of sebum (skin oil), which clogs pores creating a breeding ground for the bacteria that cause spots. No acne treatment can change your genes, so if you do have this genetic predisposition, acne treatments will take longer to get rid of acne.
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.
Given the increase in oil production, she says your skin will usually look greasier and slightly more inflamed. Zeichner adds that stress acne can also look like a combination of blackheads, whiteheads, red bumps, and pus pimples.
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.
Pustules may last for a few weeks, but if they last longer than 6–8 weeks and do not respond to treatment, it might be a good idea to see a doctor or dermatologist. Cystic acne causes swollen, red bumps to form. These also tend to develop on the upper body, particularly the face.
Hard pimples can be painful and long-lasting. They are some of the most difficult kinds of pimple to get rid of. Most types of pimples form when dead skin cells, oils, or bacteria block a pore. Hard pimples, such as nodules or cysts, are often deeper and more inflamed.
Underground pimples that swell up and never come to a head (known as cystic acne) are notorious for showing up in the same exact spot, says Dr. Zeichner. They develop when your pore, which is shaped like a long tube, branches out and causes oil to take a detour from its path to the surface of your skin.
You may have a blind pimple from time to time. Or you may have many blind pimples that take months to go away. A severe type of acne called nodular acne can cause multiple blind pimples along with raised red bumps. These painful blind pimples, or nodules, contain pus and bacteria and feel hard under the skin.
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.
A sebum plug can look like a tiny bump under the surface of the skin or it may stick out through the skin like a grain of sand. When a sebum plug forms, bacteria that normally lives harmlessly on the surface of your skin can start to grow within the follicle. Inflammation follows, causing a breakout.
For most people, acne goes away over time with age and a proper skincare regimen. It can occur anywhere you have skin, including the face, neck, shoulders, and back. Risk factors for acne include a change in hormones during puberty, PCOS, anxiety, diet, stress, and genetics.
If you have acne that just won't go away, you may want to take a closer look at your skin. It's possible that you don't have acne. Other skin conditions can look a lot like acne. Stubborn acne can also be a sign of something serious going on inside your body.
"Diet can affect hormones that, in turn, can make acne worse,” says Zuriarrain. “Foods that are high in sugar can cause a spike in insulin levels which can alter your hormones and affect your skin.” So if you're on a strict skincare regimen but your skin isn't clearing up, you should take a look at your diet.
Warm compresses and acne stickers can help to bring a pimple to a head so that the sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria can exit to the skin's surface. Using ice can relieve inflammation. If blind pimples occur frequently or are particularly inflamed and painful, a person should seek advice from a dermatologist.
A melanoma pimple will typically present itself as a firm red, brown or skin-colored bump that many doctors may misdiagnose as a pimple or harmless blemish. The main difference to note is that these bumps will not feel soft like a pimple, but rather will be firm or hard to the touch.
Cheek acne may be due to one or more of the following: makeup, your phone spreading bacteria, dirty pillowcases, touching your face, or hormonal changes. The good news is there are several steps you can take to prevent it or reduce the severity of your cheek acne. See a doctor to get your acne treated.
What does hormonal acne look like? Whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, cysts and nodules are all common hormonal acne symptoms. Normally, whiteheads and blackheads do not cause pain, inflammation or swelling, but if they do, then they are most likely forming into cysts and pustules.
Stress pimples will usually pop up in the oiliest areas of the face, like the forehead, nose and chin. Your T-zone might look greasier and more congested too. Doctors say that if you're getting clusters of pimples all at once, stress can be a factor—hormonal pimples happen one at a time.
The acne-anxiety relationship has been a crucial part of various medical discussions for decades. Some researchers suggest that acne has a direct impact on a person's emotional well-being while others suggest that high levels of stress or anxiety may lead to the increased production of oil, resulting in acne breakouts.
Use an Ice Pack
Ice packs are a well-known way to reduce inflammation in general. For blind pimples, they can be used in the same way, helping to minimize inflammation, swelling, and redness. If your blind pimple becomes super painful, an ice pack could help soothe it and make it less noticeable.