How to Pop a Whitehead

Medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References

Got an untimely blemish you’d like to get rid of? It’s totally understandable that you’d want to pop a whitehead to get rid of it. Unfortunately, popping acne may result in scarring, so it is best to avoid popping any blemishes you find on your skin if possible.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source} However, if you can't resist the temptation to just pop them, we totally get it. In this article, we’ll show you how to pop your pimple as safely as you possibly so that you reduce your risk of developing scars.

Things You Should Know

Wash and exfoliate your skin before popping a whitehead.
Disinfect a sewing needle in rubbing alcohol and prick the surface of the whitehead with the tip of your needle.
You can pop a whitehead with your fingers if your expose it to steam for a short period of time first.
It is not recommended to pop a whitehead, and you’re much better off letting your skin heal on its own if you want to avoid scarring or future blemishes.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Protecting Your Skin

1
Determine if your pimple is a whitehead. Look for a white or off-white area at the tip of your pimple. If the base of your pimple is red, you should notice the head right away. If you don't see this white pus-filled head, don't try to pop the pimple. You could damage your skin and cause an infection. The whitehead itself is already an infection, and popping it could lead to more inflammation.
- If your pimple is big and painful, give it a few days to develop a head. For a slightly quicker fix, apply warm compresses for about five minutes. Repeat every 3 to 4 hours for a day or two.^{[2]
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- For more information on determining whether you can pop a pimple, see the wikiHow article How to Pop a Pimple.
2
Wash and disinfect your face. Use warm water and your regular facial cleanser. Move in an upward circular motion until all dirt and makeup have been removed. Blot most of your face dry. Follow up with antiseptic or toner for acne-prone skin. Blot the liquid on to the area without rubbing. Leave the whitehead moist to keep your skin supple.
- Avoid scrubbing your pimple or otherwise rubbing too hard. You could end up causing inflammation and spreading pus and bacteria to other places on your skin.^{[3]
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- You can use rubbing alcohol if you don't have antiseptic for acne-prone skin, but don't make a habit of it. Rubbing alcohol can be overly drying to your skin.^{[4]
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3
Wash your hands with soap and warm water. Work up a good lather and rub your hands together long enough to sing the “Happy Birthday” song. Pay special attention to your fingertips, which will be in contact with the whitehead. If you can, scrub under your fingernails, too.^{[5]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
4
Wrap your index fingers in tissue. This will prevent your fingernails from puncturing your skin. Do this even if your nails are short. Aim for one facial tissue or table napkin for each finger.^{[6]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Popping the Whitehead with a Sewing Needle

1
Disinfect a sewing needle. Be aware that popping a whitehead with a sewing needle is not recommended by dermatologists or members of the medical community, so this is something to try at your own risk. If you want to do this, then use a regular needle from a typical sewing kit. It'll be sharp enough to get the job done and minimize the risk of scarring. Soak the tip of the needle in rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide for one minute.^{[7]
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- You can also hold the tip of the needle over the flame from a match or lighter before dipping it into the rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.^{[8]
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2
Prick the surface of the whitehead. Insert the needle at an angle. If you poke the needle in a vertical downward motion, you could hit live skin under the pus. Remove the needle as soon as you see pus oozing from the whitehead.
- If you see clear liquid or blood instead of pus, stop. Squeezing a whitehead that isn't ready to be popped can cause it to swell and stick around even longer.^{[9]
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3
Squeeze the whitehead gently. Place each of your index fingers at the base of the white area. Squeeze in a down-and-in motion. Be gentle to avoid damaging healthy skin. Gently wipe away the pus with the tissue on your finger. Replace the tissue with a clean one to avoid infecting your skin. Continue until all the pus has drained.^{[10]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Popping the Whitehead Using Steam

1
Steam your skin. Fill a saucepan about halfway full with water. Bring the water to a boil. Remove it from the burner and let it cool down for a few minutes. Place a body towel over your head and hold it out with your hands to make it form somewhat of a tent. Lower your face toward the saucepan enough to feel the steam. Allow the steam to hit your face for about five minutes.^{[11]
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- This step is easiest if the whitehead is on your face or neck. If you try it with a whitehead on your back or shoulders, it's really awkward.
2
Stretch the skin on the whitehead. After you wrap your index fingers in tissue, place them on either side of the whitehead. Pull gently outward. At this point, it might begin to pop. If it does, you'll have less squeezing to do. Simply wipe away what comes out. Replace the tissue to avoid spreading germs.^{[12]
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3
Squeeze out the pus. Place each of your index fingers on either side of the whitehead. Press down and in very slowly to avoid damaging your skin. Wipe away the pus that comes out. Continue to squeeze until the pus is completely drained.^{[13]
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- Blood and/or clear liquid is a cue to stop, regardless of whether or not you can drain all the pus.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Treating the Affected Area

1
Stop any bleeding, if necessary. The popped whitehead might bleed after you drain all the pus. If that happens, apply gentle pressure with a tissue until the bleeding stops. About five to 10 minutes should do the trick.^{[14]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
2
Apply antiseptic to the pimple. Use a toner or antiseptic liquid formulated for acne. If you only have rubbing alcohol available, use it only to disinfect the area. Too much can dry out your skin.^{[15]
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3
Use topical medication. Purchase acne medicine with benzoyl peroxide or another over the counter medication, such as a retinoid cream, antibiotic ointment, or salicylic acid.^{[16]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source} Squeeze a small dollop onto the tip of a cotton swab. Gently dab the medicine on the pimple.
- Alternatively, you could apply a clay or benzoyl peroxide mask to the pimple. Allow the mask to dry completely and remove it according to the instructions on the packaging.^{[17]
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4
Continue to treat the pimple. Over the next day or two, keep applying topical medication and washing your face as usual. If you prefer herbal remedies, buy a small jar of tea tree oil at your local health food store. Apply a drop or two to the pimple a few times a day until it clears up.^{[18]
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- If you wear makeup, avoid applying any to the affected area until the pimple has completely cleared up.^{[19]
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5
Visit your doctor or dermatologist, if necessary. Do this if your whitehead begins to turn red and takes longer than a few days to clear up. You should also seek medical advice if your acne becomes cystic or if nothing you try seems to work. The doctor will likely prescribe medication like Retin-A or Accutane for severe cases.

Warnings

Don't pop a whitehead near your eye. The needle could slip and hurt you pretty badly. Plus, any stray drops of pus could give you an eye infection.

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Be aware that popping a whitehead may lead to worsening of your acne or even a skin infection.

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Popping a whitehead can sometimes leave scars. Follow the instructions as closely as possible to minimize the chance of this happening or leave it to a doctor.

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