How to Pop a Pimple

You don't have to wait for the pimple to erupt on its own. It's fairly easy to pop a pimple, but proceeding without caution can cause more pimples or scarring. This article discusses "whiteheads," where the pimple has a white top and liquid pus underneath the skin.

Items required:

1.Clean towel
2.Clean washcloth
3.Hand sanitizer
4.Pure, gentle, non-comedogenic face cleanser
5.Natural astringent such as witch hazel or rosewater (optional)
6.100% cotton face pads or balls
7.Aloe vera gel, polysporin or neosporin
8.Bandages (optional) 9.Ice and paper towel (optional)



STEPS

A.Wash your face with a gentle cleanser. It should be hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and alcohol-free. Use very warm water, soaping up for at least 20 seconds. Cold and lukewarm water doesn't dissolve oil or kill germs nearly as well, but hot water irritates the skin and causes flaking.

B.Rinse thoroughly for another 20 seconds and pat dry with a clean towel.

C.Dab the pimple with a 100%-cotton pad soaked in an all-natural astringent such as witch hazel to assure no extra dirt or residue is left behind.

D.Take a clean washcloth and run part of it under very hot water. Immediately apply it directly to the pimple, so you can open up the pore and make it easier and less painful to pop. Do this for about 60 seconds, re-running the cloth under hot water if it starts to cool off. - An alternative is to gently slide the warm washcloth over the pimple several times, without squeezing or pushing into the pimple. - You can substitute a salt water mix in a damp (not dripping) cotton ball to soak the pimple for 1-3 minutes.

E.Using cotton swabs, cotton balls, or your finger tips, very gently pull outward, around the pimple more than towards the center. It should not take much effort. If it doesn't burst, do not try to apply harder pressure. Soak the pimple in warm water again and retry. - The cotton swabs and cotton balls are preferable because they are less likely to damage your skin, whereas the tips of your nails can cause intense irritation. - If you do use your finger tips as a last resort, thouroughly apply some hand sanitizer all over your hands first.

F.Wipe the pus up with another cotton pad or your finger.

G.Wait 10 to 20 seconds, then start to press the pimple gently again with clean fingers. Repeat as needed and/or until you start to see blood emerging.

H.Wrap your finger in a new cotton pad and press gently right on top of the pimple to stop the bleeding.

I.Leave it be for a minute or two--don't touch it, cover it, or apply anything to it right away. After it's had a chance to chill out, wash your hands thoroughly, then wash your face as directed in the first step.

J.Spread a generous amount of aloe vera gel or an antibiotic ointment onto the pimple, then cover with a bandage. If you dislike the bandage on your face for cosmetic reasons, you can apply the aloe or ointment and then leave it uncovered, though covering it would be most effective.

K.Replace the bandage and apply more ointment or aloe once or twice a day. If the area is still swollen, wrap an ice cube in a paper towel and hold it against the bandage for 30-60 seconds at a time.