Does popping blackheads make them worse?

Why does squeezing make a blackhead worse?

A blackhead is an open pore blocked with excess oil and dead skin cells. Squeezing does not necessarily remove the entire blockage: some can stay behind or be pushed further into the skin. Pressure from fingernails can also injure the skin around the opening. Blackheads are not caused by dirt, despite their unfortunate resemblance to a cleaning problem.13

Blackheads usually are not swollen or painful. Picking or squeezing can make them inflamed, leaving a more noticeable, tender blemish instead of a quiet clogged pore. Injury can also rupture the follicle, the small opening where a hair grows. Acne is not contagious: worsening after squeezing is not the same as catching or spreading an infection from another person.45

Scarring is another reason to stop. Deep, painful acne is more likely to scar, but scars can also develop after blackheads or whiteheads clear. Picking increases inflammation and the risk of scarring. A scar can be sunken or raised, depending on how much collagen, the protein that supports skin, forms during healing. Acne scars can fade, but they rarely disappear completely.6

What should you do instead?

1. 1Wash gently morning and evening. Use a gentle cleanser rather than scrubbing at the dark dots. Scrubbing can irritate skin and worsen acne.
2. 2Use a treatment for clogged pores. Salicylic acid dissolves dead skin cells that contribute to blockages. Retinoids, such as adapalene, break up blackheads and help prevent clogged pores. A pharmacist can help you choose an acne treatment.
3. 3Apply treatment across the affected area, not only to individual dots. Medicines for comedonal acne, meaning acne made up mainly of blackheads and whiteheads, are applied as a thin layer. Follow the chosen product's directions for frequency rather than treating every formula alike.
4. 4Keep up gentle skincare. Use moisturizer regularly, remove makeup at the end of the day and choose products labelled noncomedogenic, meaning designed not to clog pores. Keep your hands away from your face between applications.

Retinoids can cause peeling or changes in skin colour. Using them every other day or alongside moisturizer can reduce these effects. If you already use prescription acne treatment, follow your healthcare provider's instructions.14

Treatment takes several weeks to months to produce worthwhile improvement, and continued treatment helps control new blockages. If you see no results after 4 to 6 weeks, a dermatologist can help you decide what to change. That is a point to seek help, not a deadline by which every blackhead must disappear.25

Is professional extraction different?

Yes. A dermatologist uses sterile instruments and proper technique to remove blackheads safely. Extraction is usually considered when other acne treatments have not cleared the skin, rather than as the first treatment. Deep, embedded blackheads are less likely to disappear on their own and should be removed by a medical professional. Professional extraction removes existing blackheads, but pores do not submit a resignation letter afterwards. Blackheads can return, so continue a skincare plan that prevents new blemishes.12

What if you have already squeezed one?

Stop picking rather than trying again to force out whatever remains. Get medical help if the skin becomes hot, swollen and red, which can indicate infection; redness can be harder to see on brown and black skin. Also see a doctor if spots are deep or painful, are causing scars, or are not improving with treatment.7