Have a pimple that's not responding to any treatments? This could be the cause (2024)

Nobody enjoys waking up to an acne bump on their face, especially if it's an underground pimple you can't treat. These stubborn red bumps are frustrating, painful and inflamed, and won't respond to your go-to topical breakout products the same way that visible pimples would. Not sure how to calm a particularly painful one? We got Dr Simal Soin, Delhi-based chief dermatologist and founder, Aayna Clinic to tell us everything there is to know about blind pimples.

What are blind zits?

“A blind pimple refers to acne that’s just beneath the skin,” explains Dr Soin. “It feels like a small lump beneath the skin. It’s usually not visible but can only be felt while touching.” It is usually caused when sebum production is combined with a bacterial infection, which gets trapped in the pore of the skin. These invisible pimples are also known as cystic acne, which can be quite painful and can leave a scar when they eventually subside, regardless of whether it had come to a head or not. “If we don’t treat the blind acne, it usually fades away on its own in a few weeks to a month. However, it is advisable that you see a dermatologist so that they can guide you towards the right treatment, one that doesn't leave permanent marks and scars on the skin.”

How to get rid of blind pimples: At-home and in-clinic remedies

1) Try a hydra facial

A facial treatment at your dermatologist’s clinic once a month can help keep your skin thoroughly cleansed and nourished, preventing unwanted acne from popping up. “A hydra facial incorporates cleansing at both superficial and deep levels, wet microdermabrasion, exfoliation, extraction, and hydration, all of which helps to treat all forms of acne by cleansing, exfoliating, and infusing the products deep into the skin thus controlling the sebum production and reducing acne.”

2) Opt for a salicylic acid peel

Salicylic acid is a known champion when treating acne is in question. “Chemical peels work on the basic principle of exfoliation of different layers of the skin. Salicylic acid peels are an effective treatment for acne to unblock pores by removing the layer of dead skin cells on the skin’s surface. It also relieves inflammation.”

3) Sign up for a comedone extraction or cortisone injection

If you’d like to get rid of the bump almost instantly, head over to your skin doctor’s clinic for a clinical extraction—trust us, you can’t do this at home—or a cortisone injection. “A form of mechanical exfoliation, a comedone extraction, physically removes acne blockages from the skin. A precise and careful extraction under the supervision of the doctor helps to get rid of blind acne. A cortisone injection is the fastest way to heal and is injected locally and should be done only by a trained professional. Both of these are SOS treatments for acne and should not be used as part of regular acne treatment.”

4) Apply a warm compress

Using some heat on the spot can help bring the bump to the surface of the skin, making it easier to treat. “The heat can open up pores, which may draw the pimple closer to the skin’s surface and create a head. The formation of a head enables the sebum, cells, and bacteria to exit the skin. The heat from the compress can also help to relieve pain.” Dr Soin recommends soaking a cotton swab or microfibre cloth in hot water—not boiling—and holding it on the pimple for 10-15 minutes. Do this three-four times a day till the pimple comes to a head.

5) Try actives

While active ingredients like salicylic acid and lactic acid might not be able to work as well on a blind pimple as they do on a regular whitehead or blackhead, they can help to make the process faster. Doctors like to use benzoyl peroxide and a dab of hydrocortisone on the skin to reduce redness and kill acne-causing bacteria in the area. Retinol works to speed up your cellular turnover, which not only helps get rid of dead skin that contributes to clogged pores, but also helps fade lingering acne scars over time.

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