What is a Blind Pimple and How to Get Rid of Them

WHAT IS A BLIND PIMPLE?

So, what exactly is a blind pimple? Have you ever touched your face and felt a pimple that felt like a lump on your skin and may have even hurt to touch it?

Well, this is a blind pimple. A pimple that grows under the skin’s surface, often causing pain and inflammation.

Blind pimples are different than your average pimple because they sit deep in the skin and have no head. They can eventually come to a head in the form of a white or black head, but some never head and the lump-sized pimple eventually decreases on its own.

WHAT CAUSES A BLIND PIMPLE TO FORM?

Different things can contribute to the forming of blind pimples. From the buildup of oil, dirt, dead skin cells, and bacteria.

To stress and hormones, and even our diets, or different skincare products.

Oil, dirt, and bacteria – Sebum (an oily substance that protects the skin) is actually good for us. However, it becomes an issue when the sebaceous gland becomes overactive. This gland is an organ on our skin that produces and secretes the sebum. It then produces too much oil and causes our pores to clog.

Oil, dirt, and bacteria build up and get trapped below the skin’s surface. Usually within a hair follicle and causes a pimple to form.

So yes, unfortunately, we oily folks are more prone to blind pimples than our dry skin counterparts.

Stress & Hormones – Ok, so this is a tricky one because stress doesn’t directly cause acne but can be a contributing factor. When stress levels are high, it can cause certain hormones to rise. Thus, a flare-up of acne.

Sebum production is caused by the hormones, androgens. This hormone causes the sebaceous gland (that we spoke about above) to become more active. Increasing the oil on the face causing breakouts and pimples to form.

Between menstruation, pregnancy, puberty, and the daily stressors of life, it’s no wonder we often feel like our skin just can’t catch a break. Many things can raise our stress and hormone levels and often time it comes out through our skin.

girl with Blind Pimple on her face

DIET – Diet and food can be tricky one because the chocolate and sugary foods myth we were told as teenagers isn’t necessarily true. However, some people do notice a link between their skin and certain foods. Dairy is oftentimes a main culprit for a lot of people. So just be mindful of how your skin reacts when you eat certain foods.

HOW LONG DOES A BLIND PIMPLE LAST?

A blind pimple can last anywhere between a few days to a few weeks. Being that these pimples are deep under the skin, they can stick around for a bit.

HOW DO I GET RID OF A BLIND PIMPLE?

Luckily, there are things you can do to speed up the process when wanting to get rid of a blind pimple or bring it to a head.

WARM COMPRESS – Apply a warm compress on top of the pimple for about 10 minutes a few times a day. This is to bring the pimple to a head. The applied heat can help to open up the pores and hopefully release the puss.

Run a washcloth under warm water and press the cloth over a targeted area or entire face. Reapply 2-4 times a day.

OVER THE COUNTER – Multiple OTC products are used for healing a blind pimple. Acne patches or acne stickers work well as many are filled with acne-fighting ingredients. Some also suggest using a hydrocortisone cream to calm the redness and inflammation.

With clean hands apply a thin layer of cream over the affected area of skin.

blind pimple treatment

ICE IT – You may have also seen ice on the pimple as a form of removal. This is because the ice calms the inflammation and can ease the pain and swelling that often accompanies a blind pimple.

Wrap an ice cube in a cloth or simply use a cold washcloth and press against the pimple for 5 – 10 minutes multiple times a day.

RUN ITS COURSE – Unfortunately, just like other pimples, it can be best to just let a blind pimple run its course. This allows the pimple to heal and come down on its own. This also reduces the chances of any scarring. This could take anywhere between a few days or a few weeks.

HOW TO PREVENT BLIND PIMPLES?

The best way to prevent blind pimples is to have a regular skincare routine.

Blind pimples and acne are caused by pores getting clogged by dirt and oil, so we have to make sure we are cleansing our skin properly and washing away all the dirt and grime from the day.

Clean Skin: Thoroughly cleansing the skin morning and night is best practice, especially with oily skin so you can remove all the excess oil and dirt. Incorporating exfoliation, a couple of times a week is great for the skin too. Exfoliation has many benefits, such as removing dead skin cells, and unclogging pores lessening your chances of blind pimples.

woman washing face. cleansing skin from acne, blind pimples, and the common breakouts.

Read the labels: Part of making sure you’re using the right products is making sure the right ingredients are in your skincare and makeup items. Certain ingredients can not only disrupt the skin barrier but also lead to breakouts and blind pimples.

A helpful tip is to look for products that state they are non-comedogenic, meaning they do not clog pores. These products are typically better for people with acne-prone and oily skin.

Relax: I know it’s easier said than done but being that our stress and hormones can be a contributing factor to our blind pimples the more we relax and breathe the better we’ll feel and look.

Eat well: Certain foods can have adverse effects on the skin. Being mindful of what we’re putting in our bodies will show up from the inside out!

Related Article: Beauty Foods- What to Eat For Glowing Skin

IN CONCLUSION

Blind pimples, just like any other pimple can be very frustrating. However, knowing what they are, how to get rid of them, and what to do to prevent them is a great step in the right direction.

Do you have any tips or tricks you use for your blind pimples? Or is this your first time hearing about them?

Let me know in the comments below!

What is a Blind Pimple and How to Get Rid of Them