Is Popping Pimples Bad? Scars & Safer Options in Pakistan

Yes, popping a pimple usually does more harm than good. Squeezing can push the contents deeper, tear the skin and leave a dark mark or a lasting scar that outlasts the pimple by months. This guide explains what actually happens under the skin, what to do when you cannot leave a pimple alone, and the few cases where a doctor should handle it. It is written with readers in Pakistan in mind, where sweat, heat and quick home fixes make squeezing tempting.

Key takeaways

Squeezing a pimple can push oil and bacteria deeper, which tends to increase redness, swelling and healing time
Picking is linked to post-inflammatory dark marks and, in some people, to scarring that does not fade
Warm, clean, hands-off care and a targeted acne active is the safer way to shrink a pimple
Deep, painful, pus-filled or repeatedly returning lumps should be seen by a doctor, not squeezed at home

What happens under the skin when you pop a pimple?

A pimple starts when a pore becomes blocked with oil and dead skin cells, and bacteria and the body’s own inflammatory response build up around it. The wall of that pore is thin and easily damaged. When you press on it with your fingers, the force does not always go upward and out. Often it goes sideways and down, and the pore wall can rupture beneath the surface. The contents then spill into the surrounding skin, which reacts with more inflammation. That is why a pimple you squeezed often looks bigger, redder and angrier the next day.

Even when a whitehead does release, the skin has been broken. Open skin takes days to close, and a scab or crust forms. In people with deeper skin tones, any injury or inflammation can leave behind a flat brown or dark mark as the skin makes extra pigment while it heals. These marks are common in Pakistan, where many of us have medium to deep skin tones. See our guide on red marks vs brown marks after acne for how to tell what you are dealing with.

Can picking and squeezing really cause scars?

Yes. Acne scarring depends on the depth and duration of inflammation, and anything that adds more inflammation or physical damage raises the risk. A review of acne in The Lancet describes scarring as a consequence of inflammatory lesions, and notes that early, effective treatment is the best way to prevent it. A study of adolescents and young adults with acne-related dark marks also found that skin picking was common in this group, which shows how often habit and acne overlap.

Not every picked pimple scars. Risk is higher for deep, inflamed lumps, for people who pick often, for pimples that are picked repeatedly while still healing, and for people who have scarred before. Time also matters: marks from a single squeezed pimple often fade over weeks to months, while scars from deep damage are lasting. Because you cannot predict which pimple will scar, the safest approach is to treat every pimple as one you do not want to injure.

Pimple type	What it looks like	Risk if you squeeze it	Safer approach
Whitehead (closed comedone)	Small white or skin-coloured bump	Mild, but can break the skin and leave a mark	Leave alone, use a gentle exfoliating active
Blackhead (open comedone)	Dark, flat plug in the pore	Irritation and enlarged-looking pores if scrubbed or pressed hard	Salicylic acid, not squeezing
Papule	Red, tender bump with no visible head	High, since there is nothing to release	Calm it, do not squeeze
Pustule	Red bump with a white or yellow tip	Moderate to high, can scar if the base is inflamed	Spot treat, let it surface by itself
Deep nodule or cyst	Large, painful lump under the skin	Very high, risk of deep scars	See a doctor, never squeeze

Why does it feel so hard to leave pimples alone?

Picking is a very common habit. A visible pimple feels like something you can fix, and the quick relief of seeing it release can feel satisfying in the moment. Stress, boredom and mirrors with strong light all make it more likely. For a small number of people the urge becomes frequent and hard to control, and then it is worth speaking to a doctor, because skin picking can be treated and is not a matter of willpower. For everyone else, small practical changes help: keep nails short, avoid magnifying mirrors, wash your hands before touching your face, and cover the area with a patch or a thin layer of treatment so your fingers have nothing to grab.

What should you do instead of popping a pimple?

Start with the basics. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser, pat dry, and do not scrub. If a pimple is tender, a clean cloth soaked in warm water can be held on it for a few minutes to ease discomfort, though it will not make it go away faster. For a visible head, the better choice is a targeted active such as salicylic acid, which helps clear the pore, or a spot treatment that your doctor has recommended. A clean hydrocolloid patch can also protect the area from picking. Our guide on pimple patches explains how they work.

If you use a serum with acne actives, apply it to the whole area that breaks out rather than only to the single spot. The Acne & Oil Control Serum is formulated for oily, breakout-prone skin and is used as part of a simple night routine. Whatever you use, introduce one new active at a time and patch test first, because over-treating a pimple can irritate the skin as much as squeezing it.

Wash hands before touching your face and keep nails short
Use a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water, not hot water or scrubs
Apply a targeted active or a clean pimple patch rather than your fingers
Never use needles, pins, tweezers or toothpaste on a pimple
Protect healing skin with a moisturizer and sunscreen in the morning

What if you have already popped it?

Do not panic, and do not keep going. Wash the area gently, avoid picking at any crust, and keep the skin moisturized so it heals comfortably. A small amount of petroleum jelly or a simple bland moisturizer can keep the area from drying out and cracking. In the morning, use sunscreen on the area, since sun exposure can make dark marks darker and slower to fade. Avoid using strong acids, scrubs or retinoids on broken skin until it has closed.

If a mark remains, give it time. Dark marks often fade slowly over several weeks to months, and daily sunscreen helps them fade more evenly. For stubborn marks, ingredients such as tranexamic acid, niacinamide or vitamin C are commonly used in skincare to even out tone over time; see our guide on how to fade dark marks after acne for what is realistic.

What about home remedies like toothpaste, lemon or needles?

Avoid them. Toothpaste, lemon juice and baking soda can burn or irritate the skin and make marks worse. Needles and pins can introduce bacteria and cause infection and scars. A hot spoon or steaming a single pimple can scald the skin. Our guide on pimple home remedies goes through the popular ones and why they are not worth the risk.

Habit	Why people do it	What can happen	Better swap
Squeezing with fingers	Quick visible result	More inflammation, marks, possible scar	Patch or leave alone
Using a needle or pin	Trying to drain the pimple	Infection, scarring	Do not do this
Toothpaste	Heard it dries pimples	Irritation, redness, peeling	Targeted salicylic acid
Lemon juice	Natural remedy belief	Burns, dark marks in sunlight	Gentle brightening routine
Scrubbing hard	Trying to remove it	Irritated skin, more breakouts	Gentle cleanser

When should you see a doctor?

See a dermatologist if pimples are deep, painful or leave scars, if you get many nodules or cysts, if acne is spreading to the chest and back, or if over-the-counter products have not helped after several weeks of steady use. Acne that scars should be treated early, because medical treatments are most effective before the damage is done. Seek urgent care if a pimple becomes very swollen, hot, spreading red, or comes with fever, since these can be signs of infection.

Frequently asked questions

Is it ever okay to pop a pimple?

Dermatologists generally advise against squeezing at home. If a whitehead has clearly surfaced and is about to open, gentle care and a patch is safer than pressing. Deep or painful lumps should be seen by a professional.

How long does a popped pimple take to heal?

Healing time varies. A small, shallow pimple may settle in several days, while an inflamed one that was squeezed can take longer and leave a mark that fades over weeks to months.

Will a popped pimple leave a scar?

It might. Risk is higher for deep, inflamed pimples and for people who pick often. Many dark marks fade with time and sun protection, but true scars are lasting.

Does toothpaste dry out pimples?

It can irritate the skin, but it is not a recommended treatment. Toothpaste contains ingredients that can burn or inflame the skin and make marks darker.

Why does a pimple come back in the same place?

A blocked pore can refill if the cause is not addressed, and a pimple that was squeezed can leave a lump that stays under the skin for longer.

Should I use a pimple patch?

A clean hydrocolloid patch can protect a pimple and discourage picking. It does not treat the cause of acne, so keep your regular routine going.

Is it safe to squeeze blackheads?

Pressing hard can irritate the skin and enlarge the look of pores. A salicylic acid product is gentler and helps loosen the plug over time.

What helps a dark mark after a pimple?

Daily sunscreen, patience and ingredients such as niacinamide, tranexamic acid or vitamin C can help even skin tone over time.

Sources

Ekore RI et al.. Excoriation (skin-picking) disorder among adolescents and young adults with acne-induced postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and scars. Int J Dermatol. 2021. PubMed 33860536
Williams HC et al.. Acne vulgaris. Lancet. 2012. PubMed 21880356
American Academy of Dermatology. Acne: Tips for managing
NHS. Acne

A gentle reminder

Skincare helps the look and feel of your skin; it does not treat medical conditions. Patch test any new product behind the ear or on the inner arm first, and introduce one new active at a time. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or you have a skin condition such as eczema, ask your doctor before adding active ingredients. See our FAQ for more, or build your own routine.