Will my face scar if I pop a pimple?

Author: Isobel Cummings  |  Last update: Sunday, March 30, 2025

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.

Will popping a pimple leave a scar?

Most of the time, those reddish or brownish acne marks that are left behind after pimples clear up will fade with no need for treatment. Picking or squeezing acne can increase the risk for scarring, though. Acne scars take two forms: scars with a gradual dip or depression (sometimes called "rolling" scars)

How to squeeze a pimple without leaving a scar?

Be gentle.

Light pressure is key when popping a pimple yourself to avoid scarring and hyperpigmentation. Dr. Lal suggests using two Q-tips to gently squeeze the pimple from each side until you begin to see the white pus come out.

Is it better to leave pimples or pop them?

It's best to leave pimples alone to heal. Attempting to pop one may prolong your breakout and lead to scarring and infection. If you are going to go ahead and pop a pimple, take steps to minimize the risk of skin damage and a worsened infection.

How to prevent scarring on face after popping a pimple?

Keep the Area Clean

Gently cleanse the area with a mild cleanser and pat it dry with a clean towel. Applying an occlusive moisturizer or hydrocolloid over the clean blemish will ensure it stays sterile and contribute to faster healing.

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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.

How to tell if a pimple will scar?

Any type of acne spot can lead to scarring, but it's more common when the most serious types of spots (nodules and cysts) burst and damage nearby skin. Scarring can also occur if you pick or squeeze your spots, so it's important not to do this.

Should I pop my pimple if it's white?

“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.

Are pimple scars permanent?

Expect to have the scars for most if not all of your life if you decide not to get treatment. Even with treatment, acne scars are difficult to heal. There's no 100% guarantee that the acne scars will be completely gone. But most treatments reduce the size of the acne scars and make them less visible.

How to heal skin after popping a pimple?

How to heal a popped pimple
  1. Clean the area. Use a gentle cleanser or antiseptic wipe to clean the area around the zit. ...
  2. Apply an ointment. A simple bland ointment like Aquaphor or Vaseline works. ...
  3. Cover the area. ...
  4. Avoid… ...
  5. Be patient. ...
  6. Watch for infection.

Should I put Vaseline on a popped pimple?

Spot treat with Vaseline and slap a Band-Aid on top.

Rather than reaching for strong (but harsh) acne-fighters that can dry out your skin, like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, you'll want to use more hydrating treatments.

How do you get rid of a pimple overnight without scarring?

If you have a pimple, using benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or a pimple patch can help it go away faster. Your dermatologist can give you a cortisone injection to make a deep, painful, inflamed pimple heal quickly. Avoid picking or trying to pop your pimple — this can lead to more inflammation, redness, and scarring.

Does toothpaste help a pimple?

Besides being unlikely to work, toothpaste will probably burn and irritate your skin—especially your face. Some people develop a chemical burn or a rash called contact dermatitis after applying toothpaste on a pimple. This can make your skin feel sore and your pimple look worse.

Are acne scars unattractive?

People with acne scars are perceived as less attractive, confident, happy, healthy, successful, and less likely to lead promising futures compared to people with clear skin.

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.

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.

Is popping pimples bad?

Popping a pimple should be avoided. Popping can force the contents of the pimple into deeper tissues. This can lead to skin inflammation, the formation of new pimples in nearby areas, scarring, and discoloration. In some cases, the damage caused to the skin may be permanent.

Why did my pimple leave a hole?

Acne holes are scars or pick marks from pimples. They usually look like indentations or holes in the skin. Acne holes occur due to damage in the deeper layers of the skin after popping pimples.

Do acne scars go away?

While their appearance may decrease over time, after about 6 months of healing acne scars will not improve further without intervention. We recommend seeing a dermatologist for acne and acne scars that make you self-conscious or affect your life.

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.

Why am I suddenly scarring easily?

“Scarring is a natural part of our body's healing process. There are some people that are predisposed to forming thicker scars based on genetics, immune status, medications, and other factors.”

Which pimples leave scars?

These scars appear after a pimple or other acne breakout clears. Acne scars are more likely to develop when you have a deep breakout like a cyst or nodule. Picking or scratching at an acne breakout can also damage your skin and cause scarring.

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