The correct way to pop a pimple.

NOTE: Please remember that it is ALWAYS a better option to not pop your pimple and to let it heal naturally. However, if it has to be done, the following methods will possibly leave more minimal scarring and a faster healing time.

Pesky, cystic acne can creep onto absolutely anyone - even those who are not prone to acne. For many women, cystic pimples often pop up according to their menstrual cycles. For many people, just one cystic pimple could ruin a good picture day or an important date. Here's the bad news: there is not a magic pimple eraser, and not one treatment can completely vanish cystic acne into thin air. The truth is, cystic pimples or acne go through a slower stage of healing than whiteheads, blackheads or mild acne that is on the surface of the skin. Why? Because cystic pimples are grounded deeply beneath the skin as a result of an accumulation of sebum and bacteria. It's easy to think of the pimple as an infected and inflamed hair follicle that first needs to purge, then eventually heal.
If you've experienced cystic acne before, you know that it can be extremely sore and painful. I know when I'm developing a cystic pimple when a specific spot on my face becomes tender, sore, and almost warmer to the touch. It normally initially presents as a large, flat pink area at the infected spot as well.  

Here is a helpful bit of information: sometimes, if you can catch a pimple soon enough, take a Q-tip drenched in hand sanitizer and apply a thick layer on the affected area of skin where the pimple seems to be forming. Don't absorb the sanitizer completely into the skin! Instead, leave a glob sitting right on top of the inflammation and it will absorb on its own. I have done this multiple times with success as the alcohol from the sanitizer seems to calm down the inflammation and, at times, even demolish the developing pimple altogether. Unfortunately, this will not work in all cases, especially if you did not catch it early enough!

So the big question is how to take care of a cystic pimple correctly in a way that will leave minimal to no scarring? Some make the mistake of picking or popping the pimple too early with their bare fingers. This is the absolutely worst way of dealing with cystic acne, and it will leave scars in the future if not right then. Treat your pimple GENTLY, as if it were a wound or a scrape on your knee. Also, keeping the pimple dry and avoiding the introduction of more bacteria will allow it to heal more quickly. In other words, quit touching your pimple! I know it's extremely tempting, but you are just irritating an already inflamed and angry pimple!

STEPS IN THE HEALING PROCESS:
1. Wash your face gently with a cleanser containing salicylic acid (2%). This particular ingredient may help decrease inflammation. *Do not use any exfoliators, clarisonic brushes (or similar brushes) or textured pads on your pimple as it will further irritate it and may pop it prematurely.
2. Apply a gentle toner on skin using a soft pad or clean hands, using extra caution while going over the pimple.
3. You may try drying agents and spot treatments on the pimple. Some options and helpful ingredients are clay or mud masks, sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, or salicylic acid (2%). Many work best as overnight treatments. TIP: If you have a benzoyl peroxide gel or cream, apply a small amount on finger, quickly touch the pimple with your finger and allow it to absorb on its own. Benzoyl peroxide has oxidative properties to kill bacteria that seems to work better when it is allowed to absorb.

MAKE UP TO COVER UP: Good news is that not everyone has to walk around town with a noticeable, giant pimple on their face. Make up is fine to use on pimples as long as you use sanitary precautions! If you're using mineral powder to cover up your acne, use a small, clean blush to apply. TIP: Mineral powder containing zinc as its main ingredient may actually help dry and calm your pimple throughout the day as zinc itself has anti-inflammatory properties. If you are using concealer or liquid foundation, make sure your hands and brushes are sanitized and clean before applying.
4. Continue to apply drying agents and spot treatments until your pimple noticeably becomes a good whitehead. It is now ripe enough to "purge" or pop.

TOOLS FOR POPPING: small alcohol wipes, a sharp tweezer or pin, plenty of clean Q-tips
5. Wash your face gently and dry. Take a small alcohol wipe and wipe over pimple specifically (not your whole face). Alcohol wipe your sharp tweezer (must be sharp) or pin and allow to air dry.
6. Gently prick the very end of the whitehead with your sharp tweezer or pin. At this point, white and yellow pus will begin to ooze (sorry for being gross!). Quickly grab a Q-tip and gently collect the pus in a rollover motion. Depending on where your pimple is at, contracting the muscles of your face can often help push more pus out of the pimple. Avoid pressing on the pimple with the Q-tip if you can.

IMPORTANT FACT: You may want to keep purging, but it is important to know when to stop. Once you see blood ooze out, that is not a good sign. It means that you may have purged too much. The goal is to get as much pus out before you see any blood. Once you see blood, stop immediately.
7. Once you have purged the pimple, it must now go through a slower healing process. It is important to continue to avoid touching the pimple. Keep it clean and do not use any exfoliators just yet. Continue to use gentle cleansers and toners.

This may not seem like a quick fix, but more importantly, this method will allow your pimple to heal without leaving large, pitted scars. Good luck!!