Should you pop a pimple? What dermatologists say

At the mirror, it is tempting to squeeze a pimple. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has a page on exactly that moment, and its title gives the answer: "Pimple popping: Why only a dermatologist should do it." The NHS, MedlinePlus and NICE, the UK body that writes treatment guidelines, all say the same thing in their own words. This guide explains why, what the research says about popping and scars, what dermatologists do when a spot does need to be opened, and what to do at home instead for each type of spot. Skinli gives general education and is not a doctor. The risks come first, because they are the reason for everything else.

What happens when you squeeze a pimple

The AAD lists what can go wrong. Squeezing at home without proper technique risks:

• "Permanent acne scars"
• "More noticeable acne"
• "More painful acne"
• "An infection"

It explains how: "These unwanted side effects are likely when you pop pimples at home. If you push some of the contents inside the pimple deeper into the skin, which often happens, you increase inflammation. This can lead to more-noticeable acne. Some people develop acne scars and pain." Inflammation means swelling and redness in the skin. The AAD's habits page names what gets pushed down: "pus, dead skin cells, or bacteria."

Infection has a second source. The AAD says: "When you pop pimples yourself, you also run the risk of getting an infection from the bacteria on your hands."

Popping also slows healing. The AAD's tips page says picking, popping or squeezing acne "will make the acne take longer to clear and increase your risk for scarring and dark spots called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation." Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation means flat dark marks left where the skin was inflamed. The AAD's symptoms page says "Some spots can last for a year or longer."

The other public health sources agree:

• The NHS: "do not pick or squeeze spots because this can cause scars."
• MedlinePlus, from the U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Try not to aggressively squeeze, scratch, pick, or rub the pimples. This can lead to skin infections, slower healing, and scarring."
• NICE tells doctors to "Advise people that persistent picking or scratching of acne lesions can increase the risk of scarring."

Popping and scars: what the research shows

The AAD's page on the causes of acne scars lists picking directly: "Picked, popped, squeezed, or scratched the acne. Trying to get rid of acne this way can increase inflammation, leading to scarring." It adds that "the deeper the acne goes into your skin, the more likely it is to cause a scar."

Two studies measured this:

• A 2017 scar risk tool. A group of acne experts from several countries built a short questionnaire to predict who is at higher risk of the pitted scars acne can leave. It "comprises of four risk factors: worst ever severity of acne, duration of acne, family history of atrophic acne scars and lesion manipulation behaviours." Lesion manipulation means picking and squeezing.
• A 2024 study in Thailand. Researchers surveyed 225 adults with acne. After taking acne severity into account, people who said they sometimes squeezed or picked their acne were more likely to have scars than people who never or rarely did. The authors concluded that the risk factors for acne scarring "include the severity of acne, squeezing and picking behaviors," and redness that stays after a pimple.

The AAD is careful to say no one can predict scars for sure: "Even people who have all the risks listed above may not develop scars." Picking is one of the few risks you can change.

Darker skin and dark marks

The dark marks that follow picking matter most for people with brown or black skin. The AAD's page on deep pimples says squeezing a nodule or cyst can "increase your risk of infection, discoloration, and scarring," and that the risk is higher "especially if you have darker skin." Discoloration means dark or light patches. A 2023 AAD news release says any inflammation in the skin, "such as an acne bump," carries a risk of darkening, and that the risk is higher without sun protection. The guide dark marks after pimples covers how these marks fade.

How long a pimple lasts if you leave it alone

Part of the urge to squeeze is wanting the spot gone. Two trials give a sense of the time involved. In a 2023 randomized trial of microneedle patches, red and pus-filled pimples that got no treatment at all took a median of 8.1 days to clear, and a plain microneedle patch shortened that to 6.7 days. In a 2006 trial of a hydrocolloid acne dressing, acne severity fell more with the dressing than with plain tape over three to seven days. For one large, painful nodule or cyst, the AAD says a dermatologist's corticosteroid injection "will flatten most acne nodules or cysts within 48 to 72 hours." Squeezing is the one option in this list that the AAD says "can delay clearing."

Spots on the nose, lips and other tricky places

Where a spot sits changes what it might be. A spot on the lip can be a pimple or a cold sore, and the NHS says a cold sore "usually starts with a tingling, itching or burning feeling," then blisters. The guide pimple on lip explains how to tell them apart. The guide pimple on nose covers when a spot on the nose needs an urgent doctor. A lump that keeps coming back in one place may be a cyst, which the NHS says should not be squeezed: "If it bursts it could become infected."

Which spots are riskiest to squeeze

Some spots carry more risk than others, and some are not acne at all:

• Deep, painful bumps. The AAD says nodules and cysts form when swelling "goes deep into the skin," and that picking them raises the risk of infection, marks and scars. These are the bumps people call blind pimples.
• Blackheads. The AAD says "squeezing a blackhead can cause an infection or permanent scar."
• Whiteheads. The AAD says "Picking at whiteheads can lead to more whiteheads and acne scars."
• Boils. The NHS describes a boil as "a hard and painful lump that fills with pus" and says "do not pick, squeeze or pierce a boil."
• Cold sores. These are caused by a virus. The NHS says "do not touch your cold sore (apart from applying antiviral cream)." See pimple patch on a cold sore.
• Bumps inside the mouth. A sore spot on the tongue is usually a swollen papilla or a mouth ulcer, with nothing to squeeze. See pimple on tongue.

How dermatologists remove pimples

When a spot needs to come out, a dermatologist has tools and training that home popping lacks. The AAD describes three methods:

• Acne extraction. This "involves using sterile instruments to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads." Sterile means free of germs. "When performed by a dermatologist, acne extraction is a safe way to get rid of blackheads and whiteheads." The AAD adds that it "is usually offered when other acne treatment fails to clear the skin. It's rarely a first choice because it takes time and can be expensive."
• Incision and drainage. For "a large pimple or painful acne cyst or nodule," a dermatologist may use "a sterile needle or surgical blade to open the blemish and then removing what's inside." The AAD says "The key to clearing a pimple with incision and drainage is to do this at the right time."
• A corticosteroid injection. A corticosteroid is a medicine that calms swelling. The AAD says "A corticosteroid injection will flatten most acne nodules or cysts within 48 to 72 hours." It is for one especially painful spot, and "Only a doctor should inject a corticosteroid."

The AAD also says "These techniques aren't necessary for every blemish. Acne often clears with acne medicine and the right skin care."

Why this guide gives no popping steps

Some websites give step-by-step instructions for popping a pimple at home. The AAD's advice is to leave removal to a dermatologist, and the NHS, MedlinePlus and NICE all advise against picking and squeezing. So this guide gives the steps those sources do recommend: what to do for each type of spot, and what to do if a pimple opens by itself.

What to do instead, by type of spot

The spot	What the AAD advises	Guide
Red pimple or pimple with a white or yellow top	A thin layer of benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, adapalene or azelaic acid, then a hydrocolloid patch	How long to leave a pimple patch on
Deep, painful bump with no head	Hands off, then a clean, warm, damp washcloth for 10 to 15 minutes, three times daily	Warm compress for a pimple
Any painful pimple	Ice, which the AAD says "reduces the inflammation"	Ice on a pimple
Blackheads	A retinoid such as adapalene and a benzoyl peroxide wash, for six to eight weeks	Do pimple patches work on blackheads
Many pimples	A thin layer of acne medicine over all acne-prone skin	How to get rid of pimples

The AAD's steps for a deep, painful pimple

The AAD gives four steps for the bump that is most tempting to dig at:

1. Hands off. "Do not try to pop a deep, painful pimple."
2. A warm, damp washcloth. "Soak a clean washcloth in hot water, then apply the warm, damp washcloth to your pimple for 10-15 minutes, three times daily." This helps "the deep pimple move closer to your skin's surface so it can heal."
3. Treat it. Use one of adapalene, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. "Apply a thin layer, as using too much can irritate your skin even more." Then "a hydrocolloid acne patch can be applied to protect your skin and improve healing."
4. Protect it from the sun, with a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.

For pain along the way, the AAD says "Relieve pain with ice."

Pimple patches: the main tool for one spot

A pimple patch is a small sticker, usually made of hydrocolloid, a soft material that forms a gel as it takes up fluid. In a 2025 AAD news release, a dermatologist said pimple patches "do have science behind them." She said they "help draw out fluid from pimples and stop you from picking, but they won't work on deep acne."

That second effect, stopping you from picking, is why patches belong in a guide about popping. The hub guides cover the details:

• How long to leave a pimple patch on: wear times from the one published trial, and why patches turn white.
• Microneedle pimple patches: what one trial found for patches with tiny dissolving points.
• DIY pimple patch: the safe home version, and the home remedies to leave out.
• Do pimple patches work on blackheads: why patches and blackheads are a poor match.

The existing guide pimple patches compares plain and medicated patches.

If a pimple opens by itself, or you already popped it

An open pimple is a small wound, and the AAD's wound care advice applies:

1. "Gently wash the area with mild soap and water to keep out germs and remove debris."
2. "Use petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist," because "wounds with scabs take longer to heal."
3. "Cover the skin with an adhesive bandage," or use a hydrocolloid patch.
4. "Change your bandage daily."
5. Once it heals, apply sunscreen, which "may help reduce red or brown discoloration."

Watch for infection. The NHS says cellulitis, a skin infection, can start when bacteria get into skin that is "broken." It says to ask for an urgent GP appointment if "your skin is painful, hot and swollen," and that "The area usually looks red, but this may be less obvious on brown or black skin." Call 999 in the UK, or 911 in the United States, for a high fever, a fast heartbeat, fast breathing or confusion. The guide what to do after popping a pimple covers aftercare in full, including what to do after squeezing a cyst.

Breaking the popping habit

The AAD's first tip for clearer skin is simple: "Keep your hands away from your face. Touching, picking, and popping can worsen acne." A few things help:

• Cover the spot. A patch puts something between your fingers and the pimple.
• Use a compress. A warm compress or wrapped ice on a sore spot is care you can give in place of squeezing.
• Treat the acne. Fewer pimples means fewer to pick.

For some people, picking is hard to stop. A 2024 review in the International Journal of Dermatology describes acne excoriée, "a skin picking disorder ... characterized by the compulsive manipulation of acne lesions." Compulsive means hard to control. The review says it "can cause significant disfigurement and psychosocial impairment," that people often do not mention it because of embarrassment or lack of awareness, and that dermatologists should diagnose and treat it. If you cannot stop picking, tell a doctor. It is a recognized condition with treatment.

Preventing the next pimple

Popping deals with one spot. Acne that keeps producing new pimples needs daily treatment across the whole area. The AAD's habits page says applying acne medicine only to blemishes "fails to prevent new breakouts," and advises spreading "a thin layer of the acne medication evenly over your acne-prone skin." It says to use a product for 6 to 8 weeks, because "It takes that long to see some improvement."

Skinli's plan for everyday acne uses two gels: adapalene 0.1 percent, a retinoid started every other night for two weeks and then every night, and benzoyl peroxide 2.5 percent. The free Skinli acne plan builds that routine from a photo of your skin and tells you when a doctor is the right next step. You can see a sample plan, and the education page explains the basics of acne.

When to see a doctor

The NHS says to see a GP for acne if "you have lots of spots, or the spots are deep, painful or causing scars." NICE says doctors should consider referral to a dermatologist for "acne that is leading to scarring."

See a doctor or dermatologist:

• For a deep, painful bump that does not improve with the AAD's home steps, or several at once.
• For skin that is hot, swollen and more painful, or that has pus coming out after squeezing.
• For a lump you cannot name, a sore that does not heal, or a spot that may be a cold sore or something other than acne.
• If popping has left scars or dark marks you want treated.
• If you pick at your skin and cannot stop.

Get urgent help for a squeezed spot with a high fever, feeling hot, cold or shivery, a fast heartbeat or confusion, the warning signs the NHS gives for cellulitis.