As I write this, I can feel it—the throbbing mass deep below the skin on my cheek. I can’t see it, but I know it’s there. What I have, my friends, is a blind pimple. And I’m pretty sure you’ve had one, too.
Unlike their more run-of-the-mill cousins, you can’t see a blind pimple, but you can definitely feel it. To the touch, it feels like a little kernel underneath your skin and it usually comes along with a painful throbbing or tightness that never lets you forget it’s there. On one hand, out of sight, out of mind, right? Not so fast with a blind pimple because since you can’t see them (or pop them), they’re harder to treat. But, if they’re left untreated, they can last for weeks—which no one wants, am I right? Luckily, we got you covered. Here is everything you need to know about blind pimples and what to do about them.
What Is A Blind Pimple?
“A blind pimple is another term for a cyst, which is a deep, inflamed pimple that does not have a connection to the surface of the skin,” says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D., Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai. “In acne, oil glands become clogged, trapping oil within the follicles leading to inflammation. When this inflammation is deep and robust, a blind pimple develops.” Clogs leading to pimples can be caused by a lot of things—too much oil, too many dead skin cells, dirt and debris from the environment, and even wearing a mask (but please, don’t stop wearing a mask.)
How Long Do Blind Pimples Last?
“In some cases, blind pimples may go away in a few days, but in others, they last several weeks,” says Dr. Zeichner. Treating them properly can help shorten the time blind pimples stick around.
How To Treat A Blind Pimple
First, be patient a blind pimple isn’t going to disappear overnight. Start with “combining benzoyl peroxide with salicylic acid and over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream,” says Dr. Zeichner. “This combination helps reduce inflammation, dry out the pimple, and lower levels of acne-causing bacteria.” He recommends mixing a tiny drop of each product in your hand, then applying the mix to the pimple. If the pimple is painful, try icing it to further reduce inflammation and decrease its size. After a few days, if that mix doesn’t work because the pimple is so deep in the skin, head to your dermatologist for a cortisone shot to zap it quickly.
How to Treat a Blind Pimple
How To Pop A Blind Pimple
“I never recommend attempting to pop, pick, or poke a blind pimple—this inevitably leads to more harm than good because the pimple does not have a connection to the surface of the skin, attempting to pick it will just increase your risk of an infection or scarring,” advises Dr. Zeichner. Instead, if you’re tempted to pick the pimple, especially red, angry ones, cover it with a pimple patch. “It forms a protective barrier over the skin and will keep your hands off,” he says.
Can You Prevent Blind Pimples?
Aside from proper skincare, like washing your face twice a day and using a non-comedogenic moisturizer (which means it won’t clog your pores), there isn’t much you can do to prevent these deep suckers. “The development of blind pimples is determined by your genetics,” according to Dr. Zeichner. If you get them regularly or they don’t seem to go away even with treatment, he recommends making an appointment with a dermatologist for evaluation.
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