So You've Popped A Pimple — A Derm Says This Is What To Do To Speed Up Healing

We know, we know—if there was a list of the worst skin care habits, popping pimples would likely earn the No. 1 spot. And yet, even the most careful beauty buffs among us sometimes fall victim to finicky fingers.

Like doomscrolling through social media or impulsively texting your ex: It will be different this time, you tell yourself before poking and prodding at your skin (and, womp womp, it never is).

After the initial high of instant gratification starts to ebb, all you're left with is one angry, inflamed, throbbing bump. 

First step? Walk away. "Put the [magnifying] mirror away and stay out of the bathroom; it is not your friend," says board-certified dermatologist Ava Shamban, M.D., founder of SKINFIVE. The best way to squash any more temptations for self-surgery (and risk even more damage) is to physically remove yourself from the situation—the bathroom is a triggering space for many pimple pickers, especially at night when you have more time to wind down. 

"The biggest mistake is to continue to touch or pick after it has been popped," Shamban adds. After all, picking only prolongs the life of the zit and can leave a lasting scar or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Oftentimes, when you pick at zits, they start to bleed. "The forced trauma of pushing the contents to the surface often brings up blood with the pustule contents through the pore," says Shamban. If this happens, she recommends immediately washing your hands, grabbing a cool compress, and gently applying pressure until the bleeding stops. 

Other than using ice to bring down the swelling, some topicals can help the inflammation and redness ease—like chamomile, which has been used for centuries for treating wounds and skin irritations1 in traditional medicine, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties2 to help soothe angry, inflamed skin. 

And remember: You're now dealing with an open wound, so it's important to keep it clean and away from bacteria. Shamban touts tea tree oil (diluted, of course) as an effective remedy: In addition to its antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, researchers have also seen an increase in white blood cell activity associated with tea tree oil use, which is integral when it comes to the acne-healing process3.

In some cases, a derm might recommend a dab of antibiotic ointment to speed up healing (so if your popped pimple is super painful or isn't getting better, we always recommend visiting your doctor).