What Causes Blackheads?Blackheads, also known as open comedones, form when dead skin cells, sebum, and bacteria become trapped in a hair follicle. This is due to a clogged pore that doesn’t let the skin cell and oil debris escape. As a result, a blackhead forms. They can appear on the nose, chin, forehead, chest, and other areas of the body. To prevent blackheads from forming, it’s important to regularly wash your face with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt and oils. Exfoliating two to three times per week can also help to keep pores unclogged and avoid the buildup of dead skin cells. However, if blackheads do form, there are ways to treat them. One method is popping or squeezing the blackheads. Dr. Fua can incorporate all of these treatment options into your acne treatment plan, depending on what works for your skin.
If topical treatment alone does not improve acne, or if acne is severe or extensive, oral medications are the best option. If you’ve tried several topical medications without success, or if your condition is severe, oral acne medications are usually the next step in the treatment process. Treatment usually includes oral antibiotics and applying a prescription gel or topical cream to the skin. Depending on people with acne, treatment may include using prescription creams to prevent acne, taking antibiotics to kill bacteria that contribute to acne, or, if acne is severe, taking stronger medications such as like isotretinoin, or even minor surgery. Even if you have tried topical acne treatments such as creams or gels without any lasting results, laser therapy may be the right solution for you. While I would like you to try natural remedies first, if you are not seeing improvement and severe hormonal acne is making your quality of life worse, other treatments can make a real difference. While it may take a while, treating hormonal acne from the inside out until your hormones are in their natural, happy balance will allow your skin to truly heal.
Pimple popping might be tempting, but doing it incorrectly can cause scarring, infection, and even more acne. Here’s a safe and medically-informed breakdown:
🩺 Should You Pop Pimples at All?
Dermatologists generally advise against popping pimples, especially at home. Improper popping can:
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Push bacteria deeper into the skin
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Cause inflammation or permanent scars
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Lead to infection
But if you’re going to do it, here’s the safest method—only for whiteheads (pimples with a visible white tip).
✅ How to Safely Pop a Whitehead (If You Must)
1. Wash Your Hands & Face
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Use a gentle cleanser with warm water.
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Dry with a clean towel.
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Wash your hands with antibacterial soap.
2. Use a Warm Compress
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Apply a warm compress to the pimple for 5–10 minutes.
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This softens the skin and opens the pore.
3. Sterilize a Needle or Lancet
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Use a clean needle or acne lancet (available at pharmacies).
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Sterilize it with rubbing alcohol or boil it in water.
4. Gently Pierce the Tip (Optional)
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Only pierce the very surface of the whitehead—don’t dig.
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This is to open the pore gently, not to poke deep.
5. Apply Gentle Pressure
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Use clean cotton swabs or tissue-wrapped fingers.
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Press downward and outward, not directly on the center.
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Stop immediately if nothing comes out.
6. Disinfect the Area
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Dab with alcohol or benzoyl peroxide.
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Apply a soothing treatment like tea tree oil or hydrocolloid patch.
7. Do Not Pick the Scab
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Let it heal naturally.
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Picking can reopen the wound and cause scars.
❌ Never Pop These Pimples:
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Cystic acne: Deep, painful, under-the-skin bumps.
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Nodules: Hard, inflamed lumps.
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“Triangle of death” zone (nose to upper lip): Infection here can spread to deeper blood vessels, even causing serious health risks.
🧴 What to Do Instead
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Spot treatments: Use products with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or sulfur.
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Retinoids: Prevent clogged pores.
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Hydrocolloid patches: Absorb pus, protect the pimple, and reduce inflammation.
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See a dermatologist: For safe extraction and medical-grade treatments.
🎯 Summary
| ✅ Do | ❌ Don’t |
|---|---|
| Only pop whiteheads with a soft tip | Pop cysts or deep pimples |
| Use clean tools and sterile conditions | Use nails or dirty fingers |
| Disinfect before and after popping | Pick at scabs |
| Use hydrocolloid patches afterward | Pop pimples daily |
