how to get rid of redness after popping a pimple

Pimples are so irritating, and I know how tempting it is to pop them. And so many of us do, even if we hear experts and friends warn us against it. While everyone knows how wrong it is to pop pimples, it’s so difficult stopping ourselves!

Sometimes, it can be a last resort to try getting rid of the pimple before a first date, or we just find popping pimples satisfying. Either way, it causes unwanted consequences, with one of them being redness, looking even worse than the unpopped pimple sometimes.

Whatever may be the reason behind the action, there are ways on how to get rid of redness after popping a pimple. Read on to find out the fixes!

How to Get Rid of Redness After Popping a Pimple

Unfortunately, pimples don’t disappear and clear your skin immediately. In fact, it can worsen the blemish! And no one likes seeing very red sores or dry and crusty scabs after popping pimples.

To help keep it from worsening and to get rid of the redness, follow these tips:

1. Do NOT Continue Picking at the Site

The first obvious thing you should do to prevent the redness from worsening is to NOT touch the popped pimple anymore! Do NOT squeeze the pimple further if any more white stuff comes out, even if you see the blemish developing a whitehead again. Never pick at the scab and allow your skin to heal naturally.

While tempting again, don’t mess or pick at the healing scab, it needs to stay there for the pimple to heal. If you continue picking at it, you’re back to square one all the time.

2. Clean the Blemish Gently

If you just popped your pimple, then immediately cleanse it, using a regular facial cleanser. Be very gentle around the affected site though, and don’t knock the scab it’s beginning to form.

Besides facial cleanser, you can also opt to add a bit of witch hazel from a cotton ball or swab. Dab the popped pimple with witch hazel very carefully daily, until a scab forms.

Do NOT use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, as they would sting and won’t be as effective compared to witch hazel when it comes to reducing inflammation.

3. If Swollen, Apply Ice

Did you squeeze on the pimple so much that it created a swollen red bump (worse than your pimple)? Then you can soothe it using ice, which also reduced inflammation.

Use a cold pack or ice cube wrapped in a paper towel or soft cloth. Apply the cold compress on the swollen area for a few minutes several times a day. This will ease the swelling and lessen any pain or stinging felt.

4. Use Antibiotic Ointment

Your popped pimple is an open wound, and you can treat it like any other wound with an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment. Add a tiny amount of the ointment directly on your popped pimple and/or scab, which speeds up the healing time. Avoid adding it around the other parts of your skin as it may clog up your pores.

These ointments can also keep your scab moist, preventing it from looking dry and noticeable. It may take a few days before it fully heals.

Also, if you are using acne treatments, whether over the counter or prescription acne medications, continue doing so. These contain antibacterial properties that can help pimples heal and reduce redness. Furthermore, continue with your skincare routine as usual, but being a bit gentler than before.

Read more: Hole From Pimple and How to Heal It: Your Helpful Guide

5. What If You Want to Pop More?

As I mentioned above, you should NEVER touch or pop your pimples! But I also mentioned that it’s very tempting and used as a last resort in case of dates and events.

Well, I can’t stop you, so what you CAN do is to at least pop your pimples safely. Before you do, you can try applying a warm compress or towel on the affected area for 3-5 minutes, which loosens and soothes the skin. This can sometimes cause the pimple to pop on its own.

You can also opt for spot treatment, anything to avoid popping it! But if push comes to shove, treat the entire procedure as if it were a surgery. Your face and fingers are clean, your nails are cut, and that you sterilize a needle using a match or lighter.

Once the needle cools down, wipe the pin, your pimple, and fingers with rubbing alcohol. Afterward, prick the top of the whitehead very gently, do not go too deep to the point it bleeds and/or hurts, as you just want to pierce the surface.

Place your fingers with a clean tissue, gauze, or cotton swabs, on the pimple. Press around it, not on top of the pimple, working around it so you aren’t pressing on the same side all the time. The pimple will then drain gradually, but if you feel pain or no draining occurs it isn’t ready.

Do you want to learn more about getting rid of redness after popping a pimple? This informative video can show you more about popping pimples and how you can heal them well:

Wrapping It Up

Sometimes, we can’t help ourselves and pop a few pimples that have been driving us mad. Most times, these popped pimples end up being angry red sores and scabs, which may look more noticeable and takes more time to heal. Fortunately, there are products and home remedies that can prevent it from looking redder, while still healing on time.

I hope that these tips on how to get rid of redness after popping a pimple helped you out! If you popped your pimple recently, take a look at these tips and follow the one you think will suit you best today and let us know how it went in the comments section below.