The Best Way to Get Rid of a Blind Pimple

The word blind pimple seems kind of odd, but it’s an actual thing! Unfortunately, they can be one of the more difficult types of pimples to treat. Also, pickers beware. 

Trying to pop blind acne spots is an effort in futility! You’ll only succeed in potentially scarring your face, so––don’t do it. However, there are ways to help eliminate this type of painful pimple safely. Keep reading for some of our best tips on how to get rid of blind pimples. Think of it like a mini crash course.

What is a Blind Pimple?

Blind pimples are pimples or acne that develops under the skin’s surface. They’re not visible from a distance, but they can be felt when you touch them.

Blind pimples are formed by a combination of bacteria, dirt, and debris, plus sebum that gets trapped beneath your skin. The process results in a headless pimple, called a closed ‘comedo’. 

A comedo is essentially a clogged pore or hair follicle, sometimes also called an acne lesion. Closed comedos that stay beneath your skin are considered whiteheads, while an open comedo that comes up to the surface of your skin is referred to as a blackhead. 

However, a closed comedo that forms within the layers of your skin is called a blind pimple. Blind pimples can become painful and inflamed if they are formed deeply within your skin’s layers.

How to Get Rid of Blind Pimples

There are a few different things you can try in your effort to eradicate blind pimples. 

Never Squeeze or Pop

As explained above, blind pimples stay under the surface of your skin. Since they are not on the skin, and also don’t have a head, they can’t be popped like other pimples. Attempting to pop blind pimples can result in permanent scars, infections, breakouts, inflammation, and could also make the pimple more painful or noticeable. 

Use an Ice Pack

Ice packs are a well-known way to reduce inflammation in general. For blind pimples, they can be used in the same way, helping to minimize inflammation, swelling, and redness. If your blind pimple becomes super painful, an ice pack could help soothe it and make it less noticeable. However, ice packs are best used once the pimple has already excreted all the trapped dirt and oil inside. 

Use a Warm Compress 

Warm compresses can do wonders for a lot of problems. For blind pimples, applying a warm compress can help bring the pimple closer to the surface. The heat from the compress opens and unclogs your clogged pores and helps create a pimple head. Once the head is formed, dirt, debris, and sebum can escape the pimple. Warm compresses can also help relieve pain if your blind pimple starts to hurt.

 

Use Raw Honey

Raw honey is an excellent, all-natural, antimicrobial agent. It works as a great alternative to OTC antibiotics to help to fight bacteria. However, for this method to work effectively against pimples, make sure you use pure, raw honey as a topical treatment. 

Use Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is known to have antibacterial properties and is used in many skincare products designed for oily skin. Since blind pimples––like regular pimples––are caused by bacteria, tea tree oil can help kill the bacteria before the pimples start. 

Tea tree oil is a great alternative acne treatment to harsh antibiotics and OTC acne treatments. For best results, try a 5% concentration of tea tree oil. Make sure to dilute it first and never use it without a carrier oil. Coconut can make an excellent carrier.

Looking for a cleanser with tea tree oil? Check out Phyla's Phresh Gel Cleanser. This gentle cleanser removes surface debris and gently exfoliates the skin without causing skin damage or stripping its essential oils. Formulated with tea tree oil to boost antibacterial properties and brighten your skin with a refreshing feel. 

Use an Acne Sticker

Acne stickers are commonly available these days. Acne stickers work like a bandage designed especially for acne. This spot treatment should be applied directly over the blind pimple and can help draw out dirt, bacteria, and sebum from the pimple. 

Most acne stickers also contain some kind of acne fighting ingredient, typically salicylic acid. Acne stickers can be used continuously as long as you need, just be sure to replace your pimple sticker every 24 hours at the minimum.

Seek a Dermatologist 

Finally, when all else fails and your blind pimple does not respond to at-home treatments, consider consulting a dermatologist. You should also see a professional if your blind pimples pop up repeatedly and frequently. 

How to Prevent Blind Pimples

While these may not work for everyone because different factors may be contributing to the problem, there are two things you can do to help potentially prevent blind pimples or at least reduce their recurrence.

1. Keep Your Face Clean 

Arguably the single best way to prevent blind pimples is to keep your face clean and exfoliate often with a gentle cleanser like the Phresh Gel Cleanser. Ideally, the cleanser would contain salicylic acid, a gentle and effective keratolytic (meaning: breaks down the outer layers of the skin). This will unclog pores and push out dead skin cells. However, as with any good thing, too much is too much. It’s important that in your zeal, you don’t over-clean your skin with harsh scrubs (think apricot scrub) or harsh chemicals. Over-cleaning strips your face of its natural oils and throws your sebum producing glands into overdrive. A recipe for pimple disaster! 

2. Don’t Touch Your Face

Your hands are responsible for most of the acne causing bacteria and germs that come into contact with your facial skin. Touching your face without reason and scrubbing or rubbing your face can aggravate things and trigger inflammation. Moral of the story? Don’t touch your face. 

Getting rid of blind pimples can be challenging, but with commitment and consistency, you’ll get there!

Sources

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320250#prevention 

https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/blind-pimple#see-your-dermatologist