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Jun 06, 2023

Blind Pimples: How To Get Rid Of A Pimple Under Your Skin

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Three words: Do not pick!

Picture this: you’re sitting at your desk when all of a sudden you feel a very tender, large pimple forming on your chin. No one is ever excited to get a zit, but this one brings on a wave of dread because you know (and feel!) it's deep and brewing under the surface of your skin. Sound familiar? It's likely a blind pimple.

Meet Our Experts: Zenovia Gabriel, MD, dermatologist, hormonal skin expert, and founder of Dr. Zenovia Skincare, Peter Young, MD, dermatologist and medical director of Nurx Dermatology, Carmen Castilla, MD, dermatologist with New York Dermatology Group and clinical professor at Mount Sinai

"Blind acne, or underground acne, gets its name because these pimples are not at the surface and largely occur under the surface of the skin," says Zenovia Gabriel, MD, a dermatologist, hormonal skin expert, and the founder of Dr. Zenovia Skincare. "Common places for deep acne, A.K.A blind pimples, to appear are the chin, jawline, side of the face, and neck, and this is because there is a high density of oil glands clustered in these areas and the oil glands are deeper in the tissue here," she explains.

These oil glands are then triggered by a hormonal stimulation at the follicle level so the pocket of oil is deep and not at the skin's surface like with a whitehead or blackhead, she adds. As a result, blind pimples are often painful and difficult to treat.

Ready to clear up your skin (and any confusion you might have on blind pimples)? Great. Keep reading to find out why you get blind pimples in the first place and how to treat them once and for all, according to dermatologists.

A blind pimple is a small lump or bump that forms under the surface of your skin, and usually develops on the face, chest, or upper back, says Peter Young, MD, a dermatologist and the medical director of Nurx Dermatology.

"They may stay beneath your skin's surface and cause inflammation and pain, or they may eventually erupt through the surface of the skin and form a whitehead, blackhead, or red bump," he explains. Blind pimples are also often larger than a normal pimple, and because they live deep in the skin, they are slow to heal, impossible to pop, and usually tender to the touch.

As the name suggests, you usually can't see a blind pimple. That said, you might be able to feel a small, firm bump if you run your (clean!) fingers over the surface of your skin. You may also notice some swelling, says Dr. Young.

Blind pimples can also be red, tender, and larger than a normal pimple, but they do not come to a "head" or surface above the skin, adds Carmen Castilla, MD, a dermatologist with New York Dermatology Group and a clinical professor at Mount Sinai.

Blind pimples develop when your pores become blocked with dead skin cells, sebum (oil produced by your skin), and bacteria, says Dr. Young. "If your skin produces too much sebum, then the oil and dead skin cells tend to pool up under your skin and become a feeding ground for bacteria, which leads to pus formation," he explains. "Unlike blackheads and whiteheads, blind pimples are a bit deeper under the skin, and there is no escape route for this collection of sebum, dead skin, and bacteria, so they tend to become more inflamed and painful than blackheads and whiteheads."

And while acne and blind pimples can happen at any age, they are more common in teenagers and young adults, adds Dr. Young.

First things first. Do not pick, prod, poke, pop, or squeeze your blind pimples! As tempting as it may seem, this can make matters worse and actually turn surface level pimples into blind pimples by pushing the sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria deeper into your skin, says Dr. Young. If you do try to squeeze, you’ll create more inflammation making the blemish deeper, bigger, and more painful (ugh!).

Luckily, though, blind pimples typically go away in one to two weeks when treated (if left untreated, they can persist under your skin for a few months), and simple home remedies can be key, says Dr. Young.

Prevention is key for blind pimples, so first and foremost, always keep your skin clean by washing your face every morning, night, and anytime you sweat, says Dr. Young. Also make sure to only use non-comedogenic makeup, moisturizers, sunscreens, and cleansers that are specifically noted to not clog pores, he adds.

Next, a first line of prevention defense is an over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide wash. "It is best to use a benzoyl peroxide wash that is less than 5 percent for your face, since concentrations of benzoyl peroxide higher than 5 percent are more irritating without being more effective," says Dr. Castilla.

Adapalene gel is another great prevention topical, though it may be irritating and/or drying when first starting, says Dr. Castilla. She recommends starting with a pea sized amount every three days, followed by a moisturizer.

For those with sensitive skin, Dr. Castilla also recommends the CLn Acne Cleanser for blind pimples since this wash contains salicylic acid to help exfoliate and decrease sebum.

If topical treatments aren't hitting the spot (literally), prescription oral medications may be recommended. Options differ slightly for females and males, but typical regimens include doxycycline, minocycline, or Seysara, says Dr. Castilla. Spironolactone also works on a hormonal component of acne, which is especially great for women who have acne flares around their menstrual cycle, she adds.

Your diet is another important consideration for acne prevention. "High glycemic index foods, or foods that raise your blood sugar quickly, can potentially cause acne flares, and this is not just sugar in the obvious cookies and cakes, but also white processed carbohydrates such as white rice, pasta, or bread," explains Dr. Castilla. Dairy and whey protein supplements may also be a potential trigger, she adds.

Lastly, for those who do not want to take oral acne medications or are not responding to topical acne prevention regimens, Dr. Castilla says laser treatments may be an option. "Aviclear is a laser FDA-approved to target the sebaceous gland and treat acne, and it requires a series of three treatments spaced about one month apart."

Just remember that blind pimples can be extremely stubborn and persistent, so if you experience chronic acne, talk with your dermatologist to find the perfect treatment plan. And whatever you do…keep your hands off and do not try to pop!

Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based writer and graduate student at Northwestern Medill. She's a mass consumer of social media and cares about women's rights, holistic wellness, and non-stigmatizing reproductive care. As a former collegiate pole vaulter, she has a love for all things fitness and is currently obsessed with Peloton Tread workouts and hot yoga.

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