Should you pop whiteheads?

Is it a whitehead or a pus filled pimple?

A true whitehead is a closed comedo, meaning a closed pore plugged with oil and dead skin cells. It looks like a small raised bump that can be white, yellowish or flesh colored, with the contents covered by skin. A swollen pimple containing pus is a pustule, which people also sometimes call a whitehead. Neither should be squeezed. A deep, painful lump is a different type of acne and needs a different treatment approach.1345

Why squeezing can make it worse

Pressure can push some of a blemish's contents deeper into the skin, increasing inflammation and pain rather than clearing it. Bacteria from your hands can also cause an infection. Picking can damage the pore or follicle and lead to more comedones. Applying more pressure does not solve a deep clog: you can damage the skin without removing the contents. If you have already squeezed a whitehead, stop picking and leave it alone rather than trying to finish the job.124

What to do instead

1. 1Wash gently morning and night with a mild cleanser. Do not scrub, because scrubbing can irritate skin and worsen acne.
2. 2Use an acne treatment for blocked pores. Salicylic acid helps dissolve dead skin cells, while retinoids help break up whiteheads and prevent clogged pores.
3. 3For comedonal acne, apply a thin layer of treatment across the affected area, rather than treating only individual bumps. General guidance is once or twice daily, but the directions for your particular medicine determine its schedule.
4. 4Moisturize regularly and wear sunscreen daily. Choose oil free, noncomedogenic skincare, meaning products designed not to clog pores.
5. 5Remove makeup before bed and keep your hands away from the whiteheads. Be careful not to catch or irritate them while shaving.

Cleansing, moisturizing, sunscreen and acne treatment give the routine useful jobs; the bathroom shelf does not need an ensemble cast. Makeup does not need to be abandoned: choosing noncomedogenic products and removing them at night is more useful than declaring war on the makeup bag.147

Retinoids can cause peeling or changes in skin color; using them every other day or alongside moisturizer can reduce these effects. Benzoyl peroxide is another acne treatment option, particularly when bacteria contribute to breakouts, but dryness is common. Lower concentrations and wash formulations are less irritating. Tell your healthcare provider if your medication causes side effects.14

How long does clearing take?

Most individual whiteheads go away on their own, sometimes within about seven days. Repeated whiteheads across an area take longer to manage: consistent treatment can start showing a difference in eight to twelve weeks, with clearing taking many months. If you see no results after four to six weeks, a dermatologist can help assess the treatment rather than leaving you to keep guessing. Preventive treatment often needs to continue because comedones can return.1246

Can a dermatologist pop them?

A dermatologist can remove whiteheads through acne extraction using sterile instruments and proper technique. Extraction is usually considered when other acne treatment has not cleared the skin, rather than as the first treatment. It removes existing clogs, but whiteheads can return, so ongoing skin care still matters. Deep cysts and nodules require other approaches, not a home extraction tool.2

When to get medical help

See a doctor if you have many spots, deep or painful lumps, scarring, or acne that is not improving with treatment. Hot, swollen and red skin can signal an infection; redness can be harder to see on brown and black skin. Get medical advice for these signs, including after squeezing. Acne affecting your mental health is also a reason to seek help.7