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Myth: Popping pimples causes scarring.

  • Writer: Ryan M. Trowbridge, MD, MS, MA
    Ryan M. Trowbridge, MD, MS, MA
  • Feb 12
  • 3 min read

Updated: Feb 22

Last time you had a breakout, you might have been tempted to pop that pimple, believing it will make it disappear faster. But does popping actually help—or does it make things worse? Let’s break down the science behind this common temptation.

The Conventional Wisdom

Many people believe that popping pimples is harmful because it can delay healing and increase the risk of scarring. The idea is that while squeezing a pimple may remove some of the pus or debris inside—temporarily flattening the blemish and making it look less noticeable—it can also push bacteria and debris deeper into the pore. This can lead to increased redness, swelling, and inflammation, which in turn raises the risk of prolonged skin discoloration and even textural scarring.

What Causes Scarring?

Acne scarring is influenced by inflammation, tissue remodeling, vascular changes, and genetic factors (Jennings et al., 2024). The biggest driver of acne scars is excessive, uncontrolled inflammation, which disrupts the delicate balance of collagen remodeling. One key factor in scarring is the rupture of the hair follicle, which leads to the spread of bacteria and inflammation into surrounding skin tissue (Knutson, 1974). Excessive pressure from popping could contribute to this rupture, making it biologically plausible that manual extraction could worsen scarring—but is there data to support this?

What the Research Says

A study investigating acne scarring and its psychosocial impact found that pimple popping only accounted for about 2.5% of acne scarring causes (Sari et al., 2023). The biggest contributors were:

  • Having acne for more than 12 months (34%)

  • Acne severity (17.6%)

In other words, not treating acne properly is far more likely to cause scarring than occasionally popping a pimple.

Does Popping Pimples Speed Up or Slow Down Healing?

Unfortunately, there’s no strong data proving that popping pimples either slows down or speeds up resolution. Both arguments have some biological plausibility:

  • Why it might slow healing: If popping causes a rupture that wouldn’t have otherwise occurred, it can increase inflammation and prolong healing, raising the risk of scarring.

  • Why it might help: Much like draining an abscess, the gentle removal of pus and pressure could theoretically reduce inflammation and hasten recovery.

Not All Pimples Are Created Equal

There are different types of pimples, and some are more prone to scarring than others:

  • Whiteheads (closed comedones) & blackheads (open comedones): These are more superficial and less inflammatory, meaning they typically extract more easily with minimal risk of damage.

  • Papules, pustules, nodules, & cysts: These tend to be deeper and more inflamed. Larger lesions that resist extraction can be problematic, especially for those who engage in obsessive pimple-popping behavior (especially picking or excoriating which puts you at very high risk of scarring).

The deeper the lesion, the more force needed to extract it—leading to a higher chance of trauma to the surrounding skin.

Final Verdict: Does Popping Cause Scarring?

While picking at your skin excessively—to the point of excoriation and ulceration—can worsen acne and increase the risk of scarring, gentle extraction of a superficial pimple is unlikely to cause long-term damage. The key is moderation and knowing when to leave deeper and some superficial lesions alone. Never dig or attempt to "get to to the core" of the lesion.


The bottom line? If you're dealing with persistent acne, focus on proper treatment rather than worrying about the occasional pimple pop. You can obtain an online consultation from Bridge Dermatology if you currently reside in California, Connecticut, Illinois, or Nebraska.


Dr. Ryan M. Trowbridge, MD, MS, MA

DermMythBuster


P.S. Have you come across any new or conflicting research on this topic? Please share—I’d love to explore it further with you!


Citations

  1. Jennings T, Duffy R, McLarney M, Renzi M, Heymann WR, Decker A, Lawrence N. Acne scarring-pathophysiology, diagnosis, prevention and education: Part I. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024 Jun;90(6):1123-1134. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2022.04.021. Epub 2022 Jul 2. PMID: 35792196.

  2. Knutson DD. Ultrastructural observations in acne vulgaris: the normal sebaceous follicle and acne lesions. J Invest Dermatol. 1974 Mar;62(3):288-307. doi: 10.1111/1523-1747.ep12676804. PMID: 4361988.

  3. Sari, I. A. D. P., & Purnamayanti, N. K. D. (2023). Psychosocial impact of acne scarring: correlational study at Euderma Clinic Bali. BKM Public Health & Community Medicine, 39(12), e10490.




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