Blind pimples are annoying, painful and stubborn, and if you’ve got one right now, you might be considering popping it – but not so fast! Squeezing pimples (blind or otherwise) is never a great idea, and cause actually have the opposite effect of what you intended. Read on to understand why, and how to effectively treat those pesky blind pimples.
What are blind pimples?
“A blind pimple feels like it forms “underneath the skin”, as it is the result of a deep nodule which is often quite inflamed, and can lead to a firm and painful lump,” Dr Lauren, a doctor at Software explains.
“Despite feeling like a volcano that is getting ready to erupt, blind pimples don’t have a build-up of sebum inside (like a whitehead) – so they’ll often last longer and never form a head or come to the surface.”
They’ll typically pop up on the chin, jawline, sides of the face and neck – all areas with a lot of oil glands, which makes them particularly prone to breakouts.
As for what causes blind pimples to form, Dr Lauren mentions several possibilities, from hormonal changes to excess humidity and heat, genetics, certain medications, and PCOS.
Can you squeeze blind pimples?
First things first, let us be super clear: you should never pop pimples of any kind. But with blind pimples, you’re actually not able to.
“Because blind pimples don’t have a head, they don’t contain pus and so cannot be popped. Instead, it will be just like squeezing a basketball – it will not burst and you’ll cause more inflammation. It could also push back bacteria deeper into the skin, causing more pimples,” Dr Lauren explains.
What to do instead
So, popping your pimples can make them worse. Question is, what should you do instead?
According to Dr Lauren, “wives tales – such as putting toothpaste on pimples and other items from the pantry such as apple cider vinegar, castor oil and honey masks – whilst having good intentions, can make acne worse.”
“If a blind pimple or any other pimples appear, you should continue your normal skincare routine with an acne-focused cleanser and any other serums that you’re using such as a prescription or an over-the-counter retinoid or retinol product.
“The use of pimple patches can also be useful, as it can help to minimise inflammation and will stop you from touching the skin. If the pimple is hurting, you can use ice packs or warm compressors to open the pores.
“If you are getting blind pimples often it is a good idea to speak to your GP or one of the health professionals at Software to have an acne-targeted treatment,” Dr Lauren recommends.