How to pop a pimple the right way isn’t something most of us are taught. We all know we shouldn’t pick. But let’s be honest, sometimes the temptation is just too strong. For my fellow “pickers,” I’m not here to shame you. I'm here to help you do it in the least damaging way. To lower the chances of scarring, swelling, or a breakout that lingers.
Because truth be told, even I sometimes can’t help but pop my pimples. The key is knowing how to do it with the least amount of damage, and how to help your skin heal afterward.
No esthetician wants you to pop your own pimples, me included. However, if you’re going to do it anyway, I want you to know how to pop a pimple the right way.
How do you pop a pimple without damaging your skin?
First things first: wash your hands. Clean hands lower the risk of spreading bacteria and making the breakout worse. If you can, use clean Q-tips instead of your fingers to apply gentle pressure. They give you more control and keep bacteria from transferring directly to your skin.
Most people squeeze pimples side to side, pressing left to right. That’s actually the worst angle because it goes against the structure of the pore and pushes bacteria deeper into the skin.
Instead, think of your pore as a little tunnel that runs up and down. Apply gentle pressure in that same vertical direction. This helps release the buildup more cleanly with less trauma to the surrounding skin.
It’s not perfect, but it’s far better than the usual mirror squeeze.
When should you not pop a pimple?
Not every blemish’s ready to go. If it doesn’t have a visible white or yellow center, it’s too early. Trying to force it can cause broken capillaries, spreading, and even permanent scars.
This is where a little patience goes a long way. Sometimes the best pick is no pick at all. I know, it’s easier said than done, right?
That’s why I created a proven two-step plan you can use instead — a way to calm a blemish before it ever needs popping.
My Proven Two-Step Method to Prevent Pimples from Coming Out in the First Place
Here’s what I do in my treatment room and what I recommend to clients at home when they ask me how to pop a pimple the right way. Use this method as soon as you first notice a blemish starting to pop out. Nine out of ten times, this method will stop the blemish from fully coming out.
Step 1: Apply Lira Clinical Ice Masque
This cooling masque soothes inflammation, reduces redness, and calms the skin so the pimple starts to shrink on its own. It feels like an ice bath, but much gentler and far more effective.
Step 2: Use a Gua Sha Stone to Move Fluid Down
Here’s the secret: don’t push up on the pimple. Instead, hug it with the curve of your gua sha stone and use feather-light strokes to sweep downward. This encourages lymphatic drainage, moving fluid away instead of forcing pus upward.
The result? Less swelling, faster healing, and no angry red volcano on your face.
What if you already popped it? How do you heal faster?
Sometimes we all give in, and that’s okay. What matters is what you do afterward. Popping can leave behind post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (those lingering dark marks). Taking the right steps can help calm your skin, keep bacteria in check, and fade marks more quickly.
First aid comes first:
Start with something cooling, like an ice cube wrapped in a clean paper towel or a cold compress, to help calm swelling and reduce redness. If you prefer a spa-level option, the Lira Clinical Ice Masque works beautifully to reduce inflammation immediately.
Don’t skip antibacterial care:
After popping, apply a gentle antibacterial product to keep the area clean and prevent infection. Witch hazel works well. You can also wash your face again with a gentle cleanser. Both options help lower the risk of infection and support faster healing.
Then move on to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation care:
Once the skin is calm and clean, focus on fading dark marks and evening tone.
For my clean-beauty lovers:
- Green Envee Glow C Serum — a vitamin C treatment that brightens and supports collagen repair.
- Green Envee Retinol Serum supports cell turnover, gently resurfacing to soften uneven tone and fade the marks pimples can leave behind. It’s a nighttime staple for maintaining clarity and glow.
For my K-Beauty lovers:
- Dermathod O2 Tox — an oxygenating treatment that detoxifies and helps restore clarity.
- Lapcos Glutathione Sheet Mask — an antioxidant-rich mask that brightens while calming skin.
- Mela Defense Whitening Serum and Cream — formulas designed to target and prevent stubborn pigmentation.
These are the same post-picking heroes I recommend in my treatment room and personally reach for at home.
Why Pila’s method works better than picking alone
Traditional popping can cause trauma, leave dark marks, and set you up for another breakout in the same spot. My two-step method targets inflammation at its root, naturally releases trapped fluid, and minimizes scarring and pigmentation.
It’s a gentle, skin-smart way to deal with breakouts without the regret.
Are you ready to experience how to pop a pimple the right way in practice? Visit me at Heaven on Earth in Aspen for calming facials and treatments. If you’d like to try the same products I use in my treatment room, you can find them in my curated online stores, carefully chosen so you can bring the spa experience home.
FAQ: Your Pimple-Popping Questions Answered
Q: Does toothpaste help pimples?
A: No. Toothpaste can actually irritate the skin and exacerbate the redness. Stick to products specifically designed for the skin, such as spot treatments containing sulfur or salicylic acid.
A: No. Toothpaste can actually irritate the skin and exacerbate the redness. Stick to products specifically designed for the skin, such as spot treatments containing sulfur or salicylic acid.
Q: Can ice really reduce swelling after picking?
A: Yes. An ice pack or a cold compress calms inflammation, constricts blood vessels, and helps reduce swelling quickly. Just don’t apply it directly — always wrap it in a clean cloth first.
A: Yes. An ice pack or a cold compress calms inflammation, constricts blood vessels, and helps reduce swelling quickly. Just don’t apply it directly — always wrap it in a clean cloth first.
Q: What’s the best time to pop a pimple?
A: Only if the blemish has a visible white or yellow head. If it’s still red and deep under the skin, it’s not ready, and picking will do more harm than good.
A: Only if the blemish has a visible white or yellow head. If it’s still red and deep under the skin, it’s not ready, and picking will do more harm than good.
Q: How can I avoid scars after popping?
A: Use the correct up-and-down angle and apply antibacterial care right away. Follow with vitamin C and other products that target post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Always finish with SPF, since sun exposure can make dark marks more stubborn. While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent scarring, these steps give your skin the best chance to recover without lasting marks and help protect the pore from future damage.
A: Use the correct up-and-down angle and apply antibacterial care right away. Follow with vitamin C and other products that target post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Always finish with SPF, since sun exposure can make dark marks more stubborn. While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent scarring, these steps give your skin the best chance to recover without lasting marks and help protect the pore from future damage.
