What is a Blind Pimple?
Blind pimples are acne that develops under the skin’s surface. While the acneisn’t always noticeable, you can usually feel the lump. The area may be painful, or red and slightly inflamed. Blind pimples are most often caused by a cyst or nodule underneath the skin. They differ from whiteheads and blackheads, which develop closer to the skin’s surface. Blind pimples can be stubborn. They don’t have heads that you can soften or “pop”.
Causes of Blind Pimples
Though the cause of cystic acne is not always clear, researchers and dermatologists have identified factors that make acne more likely.
Oil, bacteria, and dead skin. Your sebaceous glands can occasionally produce too much sebum. The excess sebum mixes with dead skin cells and can form a plug in the follicle — leading to acne. Bacteria that live on the skin can then infect the plugged follicles, causing papules, pustules, nodules, or cysts.
Hormones. Androgens are hormones that increase during puberty. They cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. Hormone changes can also occur later in life, especially in women.
Family history. Acne appears to run in families, but few studies have investigated the genetic basis of acne.
Researchers and dermatologists have also identified other factors that make acne more likely:
- Irritating or comedogenic cosmetics or skin products
- Stress
- Pressure or friction from tight clothes, helmets, and more
- Air pollution or humidity
- Squeezing, picking, or scratching at pimples
- Using harsh physical exfoliants
How to Treat Blind Pimples?
Apply a warm compress. Warm compresses can help ease pain. They’re also beneficial once a whitehead begins to form. Apply the warm compress 10 to 15 minutes three to four times a day. This allows the pimple to release pus and heal.
Wear an acne patch. An acne patch is a small, medicated bandage you place directly on the blind pimple. They typically contain acne-fighting agents, such as salicylic acid. Acne patches can be purchased online or in drugstores. Make sure you follow the directions for use exactly.
Apply a topical retinoid. Our dermatologist, Dr. Ingky, recommends using a topical retinoid, such as prescription tretinoin cream or over-the-counter Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment. Retinoids are unmatched in their ability to spur cell turnover, removing dead skin cells and lowering the chances of a clog forming. “A very thin layer applied at bedtime can help to exfoliate your skin, unclog pores, reduce oiliness, and remove and prevent small blackheads and whiteheads,” he says.
Apply Topical Antibiotic. Clindamycin is one of topical antibiotic that is used to treat inflammatory acne. Topical clindamycin works by reducing the number of bacteria that cause acne. It also has anti-inflammatory effects. This helps acnes become less red and swollen. Clindamycin doesn't keep pore blockages from forming. Blocked pores also lead to the development of acne. In fact, when it's used alone, topical clindamycin isn't very effective.
Topical antibiotics alone aren't the best way to treat acne. They work slowly compared to other topical acne treatments. If you use topical clindamycin with another acne treatment, you'll boost its effectiveness. Our dermatologist encourages the use of clindamycin as a spot treatment together with Adapalene. This combination will help you to get faster result and also help prevent antibiotic-resistant bacteria from developing.
Blind pimples, also known as cystic acne, form deep within the skin and can be painful to the touch. While blind pimples are a challenging type of acne to treat, they can sometimes be treated at home. That said, for chronic cases, a dermatologist can help you outline a personal treatment strategy to get rid of your blind pimples.
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