They are truly un-poppable-at least without a dermatologist or esthetician’s help.

“The cysts occur so far beneath the skin that you won’t even come close to reaching the bump, and you’ll be left with a bloody spot,” says Joel Schlessinger, MD, a board-certified dermatologist.Įver notice how those tiny white bumps on your face (aka milia) refuse to pop no matter how hard you try? Well, rest assured. Picking at these bumps under the skin won’t help either. “The inflammation that accompanies cystic acne can hinder the healing process and often lead to permanent scarring that’s impossible to eliminate,” says Dr. Cystic Acne PimplesĬystic pimples occur very deep under the skin's surface, forming a red, tender nodule that’s not only painful but much harder to treat with OTC meds. Here you’ll find all of the details you need on 18 common bumps-and a friendly reminder that you definitely should not be picking them. The smartest treatment will depend on what exactly is causing your annoying skin issues-whether it's a hard pimple underneath the skin or tiny white bumps on your face. The best move is to stock up on derm-approved, over-the-counter skincare products-or let professionals handle it in their offices with skin-safe lasers and gadgets you don't have access to at home. You're also pretty-much guaranteeing scarring and a drawn-out healing process if you don't resist the pop, says Noelani Gonzalez, MD, FAAD, director of cosmetic dermatology at Mount Sinai West. “ Popping anything causes your skin to physically break apart, making it more susceptible to infection and an even bigger problem than what was originally there in the first place,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in New York City. Meet Our Experts: Dendy Engelman, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in New York City, Noelani Gonzalez, MD, FAAD, director of cosmetic dermatology at Mount Sinai West, Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, Rebecca Marcus, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Maei MD, Joel Schlessinger, MD, board-certified dermatologist, Mona Gohara, MD, Connecticut-based dermatologist and associate clinical professor at Yale University When it comes to most face bumps and pimples under skin though, dermatologists agree that a hands-off approach is definitely best.

When you check your makeup in the mirror, only to spot a giant you-have-no-idea-what bump staring back at you, it’s tempting to go IN on your face.

Flat white spots under eyes