The urge to eliminate a visible blemish can be powerful, but dermatologists generally advise against manipulating acne lesions due to the high risk of infection, inflammation, and permanent scarring. Squeezing a pimple can push the contents—a mixture of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria—deeper into the skin, which often worsens the breakout and prolongs the healing process. If you are determined to proceed with an extraction, understanding the proper, hygienic method is necessary to minimize potential damage to the surrounding skin tissue. This careful approach prevents the lasting discoloration or textural changes that result from aggressive squeezing.
Know When to Leave It Alone
The only type of blemish that is a candidate for at-home extraction is a fully formed whitehead, technically known as a pustule, that is close to the skin’s surface. This lesion must have a distinct, visible white or yellow head, indicating that the pus is superficial and ready to be released with minimal pressure. A warm compress applied for a few minutes can help soften the skin and bring the contents closer to the surface, confirming its readiness.
You must never attempt to pop deep, painful, or inflamed bumps that do not have a visible head, such as nodules or cysts. These lesions are characterized by deep inflammation within the dermis and often feel like hard knots under the skin. Attempting to squeeze these will rupture the follicle wall deep beneath the surface, spreading infection and inflammatory material into the surrounding tissue. This action significantly increases the likelihood of severe pain, prolonged healing, and scarring, which can manifest as pitted scars or long-lasting post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
The Step-by-Step Safe Extraction Method
Before beginning the extraction, meticulous sanitation is required to prevent introducing new bacteria into the open pore. Start by thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water, and then gently cleanse the affected area with a mild cleanser. The skin should be softened first, ideally by applying a clean, warm washcloth to the blemish for a few minutes to help open the pore.
The safest method involves using a sterile tool, such as a comedone extractor, or wrapping your fingers in clean tissue or cotton swabs. If using a comedone extractor, sterilize the small metal tool with rubbing alcohol before use. Place the loop around the whitehead, ensuring the blemish is centered within the opening.
Apply gentle, steady pressure downward and slightly inward, moving the tool around the blemish to encourage the contents to exit through the existing opening. If using tissue-wrapped fingers or cotton swabs, apply pressure to the skin surrounding the blemish, not directly on top of it, to avoid pushing the infection deeper. If the contents do not come out easily after two gentle attempts, or if clear fluid or blood appears, stop immediately.
Post-Pop Healing and Scar Prevention
Once the extraction is complete, the focus shifts to soothing the trauma and preventing infection and discoloration. Gently clean the area with a mild antiseptic or a non-irritating toner to remove residual bacteria and debris. The goal is to treat the area like a small wound to promote optimal healing.
Applying a hydrocolloid patch is recommended, as these thin, adhesive dressings absorb excess fluid and create a moist environment that accelerates healing while protecting the wound from external bacteria and picking. Alternatively, a small dab of an over-the-counter spot treatment containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can be applied to reduce inflammation.
To prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), the dark spot that often lingers after a pimple heals, avoid picking at the scab or wound. Once the initial wound has closed, daily application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen is necessary. UV exposure stimulates melanocytes in the inflamed area, causing the skin to produce excess pigment that results in a dark mark.