What Are the Stages of a Blind Pimple?

If your blind pimple becomes swollen and inflamed. It can be painful to touch. Applying a warm compress can help relieve pain and bring the pimple to the surface, aiding drainage.

You can also try using the acne stickers or acne patches that contain acne-fighting ingredients. Like tea tree oil to help drain a blind pimple. But always resist the urge to pop a blind pimple. As it can irritate skin and lead to post-blemish scarring.

1. The Early Stage

As the name suggests, blind pimples don't appear on the skin's surface. Unlike blackheads and whiteheads. Rather, they're hard bumps under the skin that can be inflamed and painful. They're often associated with cystic acne, a severe form of the condition that can lead to scarring if left untreated.

As with all breakouts, blind pimples arise when a mixture of bacteria and excess sebum clogs a pore. And that causes inflammation below the skin's surface. But "blind pimples don't have an opening on the skin's surface like a regular zit does, so you can't pop them," says dermatologist Geeta Yadav.

You can reduce the likelihood of developing blind pimples by regularly washing your face with a natural face cleanser that's labeled non-comedogenic, oil-free, or non-acnegenic. You should also avoid scrubbing the face, which can irritate it and cause an overproduction of sebum. And wash pillowcases and other fabrics that touch the face frequently since dead skin can build up on them and block pores. If the problem persists, talk to a dermatologist about prescription topical medications that contain Tretinoin or Clindamycin.

2. The Middle Stage

At this stage, a blind pimple looks the same as other cystic zits: “A mix of bacteria and excess sebum clogs a pore, causing inflammation below the skin’s surface,” says dermatologist Geeta Yadav. Like other types of acne, this condition can be caused by genetics and hormone changes during adolescence and pregnancy. Heavy makeup and skincare products can also clog pores, especially if you apply them frequently or don’t wash your face properly.

At its peak, this stage of a blind pimple is painful and swollen. The area around the bump will be red and hot to the touch, while the blemish may cause a throbbing sensation. This type of acne tends to appear on the chin, jawline, and side of your face because the oil glands are clustered in these areas. If a blind pimple is left untreated, it can last for months and lead to an ice pick or crater scar. It can also be difficult to pop because of its deep location under the skin’s surface.

3. The Late Stage

If you rub your finger over the skin where a blind pimple is located. You may feel a firm bump. You also might notice that the area around it is red and swollen. But because this type of zit doesn't form a visible whitehead or blackhead, squeezing it isn't an option. "Squeezing a blind pimple can actually make it worse, as it will increase the amount of inflammation in that area and lead to scars," says Dr. Yadav.

This type of pimple develops deep beneath the surface of your skin, where the pores are blocked by bacteria, hair, and sebum (the oil that protects your skin). You're most likely to get these on your face, shoulders, or chest, which have more oil glands.

Using the right skincare regimen, like a non-comedogenic cleanser and a prescription acne treatment that includes Tretinoin or Clindamycin, can help keep these deep, painful suckers at bay. (Check out these personalized prescription formulas at Curology!

4. The Final Stage

A blind pimple is an inflamed, hard-to-reach cyst deep under the skin. It develops the same way as other cystic zits do when a mix of bacteria and sebum clogs a pore and causes inflammation below the surface. But unlike whiteheads, they never come to a head and are unpoppable (which is why they're sometimes called hidden pimples or early-stage pimples).

It's important to resist the urge to pop a blind pimple because doing so can irritate your skin, exacerbate its size, push it deeper into the face, and leave post-blemish scarring. Instead, use a warm compress or ice pack to soothe the area and prevent inflammation. Also, try a prescription retinoid like Tretinoin, which speeds up cellular turnover and helps keep acne-causing bacteria out of pores. Or if you prefer a natural option. Try using a Micropoint to speed up the pimple lifecycle and help it resolve more quickly.