How to Pop a Pimple

The reason you're not supposed to pop pimples is that anytime you deliberately break your skin, you risk creating a scar or infection through the break in the skin. In addition, squeezing a pimple can force the bacteria-containing fluid through the layers of the surrounding skin, spreading the infection. But if you don't want to wait around for that Mount Everest on your forehead to erupt on its own, this article will show you the safest way to pop it. Note that these steps are specific to "whiteheads," where the pimple has a white top and liquid pus underneath the skin.

Steps

 * 1) Wash your hands thoroughly, especially underneath the nails. You'll want to avoid letting your fingers and nails actually touch the pimple, but just in case they do, having them clean will reduce the likelihood of irritation and infection.
 * 2) Clean the skin surrounding the pimple with an antibacterial cleanser. When you pop the pimple, you'll be opening the skin, creating a way for bacteria to enter. The pimple will heal faster if you don't give bacteria a chance to settle in and create an infection. In the process, you'll also be removing any oil, sweat, dirt, and makeup.
 * 3) Gently exfoliate over the pimple. This will help loosen and remove dead skin cells. The less stuff there is in the way, the less effort will be required to pop the pimple, and the less irritated the skin will get. Now, this is not a job for your loofah; that would inflame the skin and possibly tear the pimple, creating a higher chance of infection and scarring. Just use a cloth and dab it with an acne treatment in which the active ingredient is salicylic acid (which actually causes your skin cells to shed). Gently rub the pimple for a minute or two.
 * 4) Put on disposable gloves, or cover your pointer fingers with tissues. Not only will this put a barrier between any remaining bacteria on your fingers (and in your fingernails) and your skin, but it will also prevent the sharp edges of your nails from impacting the pimple. Applying pressure with your nails is unnecessary, especially if you've followed all these steps.
 * 5) Find the center of the pimple (the highest point) and plant the pads of your fingertips evenly on each side. Instead of pushing your fingers together, like most people do, you want to pull the skin apart. Since the skin has been exfoliated, it should pull apart easily, allowing the pus to come out. Now massage the skin around the pimple to encourage the remaining pus to come out, but don't touch the pimple itself, except to blot away the pus. There should be no bleeding whatsoever. If there is, you've squeezed too much, and created a wound that may scar.
 * 6) Wipe the area with an antiseptic solution. Again, the important thing is to make sure bacteria doesn't invade the opening in the skin.
 * 7) Apply a benzoyl peroxide acne treatment right on the pimple (not around it). This will help oust any bacteria that was inside the pimple.

Tips

 * Extremely resistant pimples can be forced open with a needle or small pin. Sterilize the needle or pin either with alcohol or by holding the needle or pin in a flame for 10-15 seconds. Let it cool a few seconds before gently puncturing the top center of the pimple.
 * Also consider not popping the pimple at all. All pimples will eventually go away on their own, and you minimize your risk of infections or scarring. There are several acne products/ pimple reducers that work very effectively and can reduce a pimple in just a matter of a few days with no need to pop!

Warnings

 * Never try to pop acne cysts. These are deep, painful, hard pimples seen in people with severe acne. Cysts must only be treated by a medical professional.

Related wikiHows

 * How to Get Rid of a Pimple
 * How to Avoid Acne
 * How to Get Rid of Acne
 * How to Make Your Own Acne Treatment
 * How to Remove Pimples Using Floss and Mouthwash
 * How to Remove Blackheads and Whiteheads with a Comedo Extractor
 * How to Get Rid of Acne Without Using Medication