Dark Spots + Discoloration
Dryness
Dullness + Uneven Skin
Loss of Firmness + Elasticity
Puffiness + Dark Circles
Wrinkles + Fine Lines

Bumps on Your Skin That You Definitely Should Not Pop

It’s so easy to start squeezing, popping, and picking when you notice red marks and small bumps on skin. However, there’s probably not much worse you can do when any kind of blemish pops up. You’ve probably been told something similar since you were a young child… “Don’t pick!” “Don’t squeeze!” “Don’t scratch!”

This wise advice applies to anything that pops up on your skin.

Popping Bumps on Skin Can Make Matters Worse

If you pop a bump, you run the risk of two things: irritation and scarring. Sure, you want nothing more than for that nasty zit to go away – but if you give in and squeeze, it could stick around for far longer.

Many skin problems, including pimples, can lead to major confidence issues – especially in teens and young adults. These conditions can affect social aspects of friendships, dating, and just getting out in general.1

But if you engage in behaviors like popping that can lead to scarring, then you could be fighting these issues for years – or even the rest of your life, as some scars never fade away.

Bottom line? Don’t do it.

Your best bet is to keep a regular routine in which you cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, and generally take the best care possible of your skin. If you need extra help, consult a dermatologist.

Let’s go over some of the most common skin blemishes that cause bumps on skin, and the reasons why you should never ever pop them or pick at them…

1. Whiteheads

Bumps on Skin | Beverly Hills MDA whitehead is caused by a pore that gets clogged with oil or sebum and closes up. It then bulges out from your skin, looking like a raised white or yellow dot. If this oil is allowed to build up, then more blemishes and severe, persistent breakouts could result.2

Squeezing and popping a whitehead can turn this kind of skin bump into an inflamed pimple, which can easily lead to scarring. It can also spread oils and bacteria, leading to more breakouts. Any kind of extractions should be left to a dermatologist or professional esthetician. Even some of the professional tools and methods are not ideal for certain skin types and will leave bruising and/or scars. This is why it’s so critical to consult the pros for any kind of skin issues.3

2. Blackheads

These bumps on skin are similar to whiteheads, except with this type of blemish, the pore remains open. Melanin in your skin reacts with oxygen, leading to a darkening – hence, the term blackhead. Many people think that the dark color is due to dirt and germs, which just simply isn’t the case.

As with whiteheads, too much rubbing, squeezing, or popping of blackheads can irritate and inflame your skin. And it can block surrounding pores even further, making matters worse – in the form of more blackheads and blemishes. Popping both blackheads and whiteheads can also push pore-clogging oils even deeper into your skin, which can lead to more irritation, and even larger blemishes, in the same spot.4

3. Cystic Blemishes

This type of blemish is characterized by a bump under skin – often, a very large one. These bumps on skin are often the really big ones that you can feel, and sometimes see, seemingly just under the surface. Trying to pop cystic zits can be even more damaging than trying to pop some other kinds of blemishes.

Since this kind of skin bump is much deeper in your skin, and is much more irritated. The potential to do permanent skin damage by popping or squeezing cysts is high. Let the pros (your doctor or dermatologist) handle these types of blemishes.5

4. Ingrown Hairs

Bumps on Skin | Beverly Hills MDIngrown hairs occur when the hair shaft becomes stuck under the surface of your skin. This is more common in individuals with curly hair. And while you may want to squeeze, or even try to pluck the hair out, you can cause a lot of damage and more irritation by doing so. There are other methods to help an ingrown hair, but if you are concerned about one, then it’s never a bad idea to let your doctor check it out.6

Regular exfoliation may help ingrown hairs. This can be as simple as using a loofah in the shower or even a gentle scrub.

5. Milia

These are small, harmless cysts that can occur on your skin anywhere there is a hair follicle. Unlike a whitehead, milia will not pop. While there is still much research going on, it is believed that milia is caused by improper growth at the root sheath.7

If you’ve successfully popped milia, then you’ve actually only caused damage to/ripped your skin. This can lead to further irritation and nasty scarring, so don’t pick at these (or any other) bumps.

6. Cold Sores

Bumps on Skin | Beverly Hills MDIf you’ve experienced cold sores and tried to pop them, then you likely know that this can lead to more cold sores around the area. The fluid in these blisters contains the herpes virus that causes cold sores. This is one bump that you definitely never want to pop or pick at. See your doctor, instead. A cold sore, or a breakout of several, will usually heal in about 10 days if you don’t pick.8

7. Keratosis Pilaris

This is an excess buildup of keratin in the skin, and it presents as small bumps, or plugs in the hair follicles.9 Picking, popping, or squeezing these bumps can lead to worsening of the condition, as well as red marks and scars.

8. Lipomas

This is simply a fatty lump under the skin that can feel like a cystic blemish. They are generally harmless, but lipomas can become painful if they get too large. Popping one can lead to more irritation and red marks – and it can even introduce or spread bacteria.10 Always let your dermatologist handle lipomas.

Other Ways to Battle Bumps on Skin

The three most important factors in keeping your skin healthy from the outside are proper cleansing, exfoliation, and moisturizing. Let’s give a quick rundown of just why these three steps are so important:

  • Cleansing

Regular cleansing will help to keep your skin and pores free of dirt, oil, and bacteria that can lead to more breakouts. You should wash your face twice a day – morning and night. What type of cleanser is best? Different skin types need different needs. Consider consulting your dermatologist, or a professional esthetician, to help you make this decision.11

  • Exfoliating

Bumps on Skin | Beverly Hills MDRegular exfoliation can help slough away the top layers of dead skin cells that can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, and the temptation to pick or squeeze blemishes. Just as with cleansers, different skin types will require different kinds of exfoliation.

There are essentially two types of exfoliators: chemical and physical. Chemical exfoliators include acid peels with ingredients like glycolic/lactic acid or retinol (ideal for aging skin). Physical exfoliators include topical scrubs. Your specific needs and skin type will help determine which is best for you. You may also benefit from a professional service, like dermabrasion, or, if you have sensitive, scar-prone skin, something much more gentle might be in order.12 Again, leave this choice to the pros, and heed their advice.

  • Moisturizing

While many people with oily skin or frequent breakouts might want to skip this step, it’s one that everyone should be doing daily.

Even if you have oily skin, the right moisturizer will help to prevent your skin from producing even more oils that lead to small bumps and red marks.

Better yet, there are tons of products on the market today that are made just for oily or blemish-prone skin.13

Using a serum alone or under your moisturizer is also a great way to battle bumps and the red marks they can leave behind.

Another great option is to see a dermatologist or professional esthetician. These trained professionals have the knowledge, tools, and skills to properly perform a pore extraction, if needed. Getting regular monthly facials may also be a great help if you’re battling frequent blemishes and breakouts.

Stop Popping and Picking at Your Pores

The takeaway here is very clear: don’t pop skin blemishes! It doesn’t matter what kind they are. If you notice a bump, don’t pick, pop, or squeeze. Most bumps on skin will go away on their own within a few days to a week. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, or if you feel you may be suffering some sort of skin condition, see your doctor or dermatologist right away. Don’t wait for conditions to worsen.

Learn More:
How to Fade Hyperpigmentation (and what causes it?)
Should I Use Heat Or Ice On Pimples? Which Is More Effective?

Sources
1.https://search.proquest.com/openview/3c15649e2e7a91429ac5290cfcc97127/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=40590
2.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0072395/
3.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2918343/
4.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0072392/
5.https://www.healio.com/pediatrics/journals/pedann/2000-1-29-1/%7B6bf740e3-348b-4708-a06e-14923b768390%7D/the-diagnosis-and-management-of-acne
6.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4902536/
7.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5228532/
8.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2602638/
9.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3681106/
10.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482343/
11.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3088928/
12.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5172479/
13.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14572299

Updated Privacy Policy

We've revised our Privacy Policy pursuant to GDPR.
Please take a moment to review.

This privacy policy is only applicable to European Union residents. We respect your privacy and appreciate the importance of your trust. As part of our efforts to help you understand how we handle the personal information you share with us, and in compliance with the European General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), please review the following terms carefully.

1. General Terms

As more fully described below, we may collect and process certain information that is provided by you to us. We have a legal basis for collecting and processing such information because:

  • You have given us permission to do so;
  • We must provide services to you in conjunction with a purchase order that you have placed on our website; and/or
  • We are required to do so in order to comply with applicable law.

The Section below describes the types of information that we may collect from you and our business purposes for collecting such information.

2. What is Not Covered in this Policy?

Our website sometimes links to services run by other companies, such as paying for product orders through PayPal®. Those companies have their own privacy policies, so please remember that the information you provide to them will follow their policies and not ours.

3. Information that We Collect and Process.

Information Provided by You:

We may collect Personal Information that you provide to us. “Personal Information” is information that can be used to identify you individually, and includes items such as your name, home address, e-mail address, telephone number, demographic information, and/or payment information, such as your account or card number, if used to make a purchase from our Website. If you maintain an account on our website, Personal Information may also include a user name, password and answers to our security questions. The type of Personal Information that we may collect depends on your use of this Website and what information you provide to us. Please note that in order to purchase any of the Products offered from our Website, you will be required to provide us with your name, billing address, shipping address, e-mail address and credit card number. If you sign up for our Beverly Hills MD Loyalty Rewards Program, you will be required to provide us with your email and a password.

For more information on our Beverly Hills MD Loyalty Rewards Program, please see our Terms and Conditions here.

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We and our third-party service providers may also use a variety of technologies that automatically or passively collect information about how this Website is accessed and used (known as “Usage Information”). “Usage Information” may include the type of browser and device you used to access our Website, your operating system and application version, the web pages accessed by you, the time you accessed these web pages, preceding web page views, and your use of any features or applications on this Website. Statistical data like this helps us understand what is interesting and relevant to our customers, so we can best adapt our content for our customers’ benefit.

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4. Our Use and Sharing of Your Information.

We use the information that we collect about you for a variety reasons, including the following:

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  • We may also use and disclose any information that is aggregated or de-identified so that it does not identify you personally, in our discretion.

If you provide us with a payment card when placing an order on our website, we use third-parties to validate your card, authenticate your identity and “tokenize” your payment credentials to make your payments more secure. Your “tokenized” credentials will be stored in your account in order to help make future purchases more convenient. You may delete or edit the stored payment methods in your account at any time by visiting our website or contacting customer support.

We may share your Personal Information as follows:

  • With our vendors, consultants, agents, contractors, and other service providers or sub-processors (discussed more fully below) that we use to support our business;
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We contract with certain sub-processors to assist us in providing services to our customers. These sub-processors use the Personal Information that you submit to us in order to perform the following tasks:

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5. Security and Your Information.

No data transmission over the Internet or website can be guaranteed to be secure from intrusion. However, we and our subprocessors maintain commercially reasonable physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect your Personal Information in accordance with data protection legislative requirements. We follow the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) when handling credit card data. We also recommend that you take steps to protect against unauthorized access to your account through shared or public computers, devices, and applications.

6. How Long We Will Retain Your Information.

We will not retain your Personal Information for longer than necessary. Your e-mail address will be retained on our mailing list until you request that we stop sending you advertising communications. We will retain your other Personal Information in order to provide you with the ability to act on our Product warranties, to fulfill any Product subscriptions and/or for business record and legal purposes.

For example, we may keep just enough of your personal information to ensure that we comply with your request to erase your personal information, or to exercise or defend our legal claims.

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9. Our Children’s Policy.

This Website is not directed to children under the age of sixteen (16). Children may not use our Website or purchase our products, and we do not knowingly collect any personal information from children under the age of sixteen (16). We have no way of distinguishing the age of individuals who access our Website. If a child has provided us with personal information, the parent or guardian should contact us to remove the information and opt out of promotional opportunities using the contact link provided below.

10. Changes and Updates to our Privacy Policy.

We may change this Privacy Policy at any time without prior notice to you. Any changes that we make will be effective immediately upon our posting of the revised Privacy Policy on this Website. Your continued use of this Website constitutes your consent to any changes made. We will use your Personal Information in a manner consistent with the Privacy Policy in effect at the time you submitted your Personal Information, unless you later consent to a revised policy. We encourage you to periodically review this page for the latest information on our privacy practices.

11. Your Personal Data Rights pursuant to GDPR.

As you may know, GDPR provides European citizens certain rights with respect to the access and control of their personal data. For your convenience, we have summarized these rights here. In the event you wish to contact us regarding any of these rights, or for any other reason, please use the link provided in Section 12.

  • Access your personal data: You have the right to be informed of and request access to the personal data we process about you.
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  • Restrict the use of your personal data: You have the right to request that we stop processing all or some of your personal data.
  • Object to or complain about the use of your personal data: You have the right to object to us processing your personal data if we no longer have a legitimate or legal need to do so. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority regarding our use of your personal data.
  • Port your personal data: You have the right to request a copy of the personal data in our possession in a machine-readable format, as well as the right to transmit that personal data for use with another party’s service.
  • Erase your personal data: You have the right to request that we delete your personal data.

Please note that while we will try to accommodate your requests, there may be times when we might not be able to help. For example, if you have recently purchased a product from us and this product is still within its applicable Money Back Guarantee period, we will not be able to honor a request to erase your personal data unless you first agree to waive your right to the Money Back Guarantee.

12. Questions or Requests?

In the event that you have any questions regarding our use of your personal information or wish to submit a request to view, modify, erase or restrict our processing of your personal information, please contact our Data Protection Officer here.

Last revised: November 30, 2022