Blackhead "pus" isn't true pus (which signals infection) but rather a mixture of dead skin cells, oil (sebum), and trapped bacteria that oxidizes and turns black when exposed to air; true pus in pimples (pustules) is a yellow-white fluid of dead white blood cells, bacteria, and debris from the body fighting infection. Blackheads are clogged, open pores, while pus-filled pimples (pustules) are inflamed, closed pores where the immune system has reacted.
That white, hard material you see when popping pimples is primarily pus—a mixture of dead white blood cells, bacteria, and debris. Pus is essentially your body's response to infection or irritation caused by clogged pores.
Blackheads are drawn out by ingredients that dissolve oil and dead skin (like salicylic acid), absorb excess oil (**clay and charcoal masks), or increase skin cell turnover (retinoids). Gentle exfoliation and regular cleansing with these ingredients, combined with techniques like steam to open pores and careful extraction, help dislodge the plug of sebum and skin cells, preventing future blockages.
Squeezing can push bacteria and pus deeper into the skin, which might cause more swelling and redness. Squeezing also can lead to scabs and might leave you with permanent pits or scars. Because popping isn't the way to go, patience is the key.
It can be very tempting to squeeze blackheads, but this isn't something you should try at home. Instead, visit a dermatology clinic for safe, professional extraction. If you try to get rid of blackheads at home by squeezing them, you'll end up redistributing the infected material to other areas on and under your skin.
Your body can gradually break down pus and reabsorb its components. That's why small accumulations of pus (like in a pimple) often don't need treatment.
The body's immune system responds by sending white blood cells to the affected area, resulting in redness, swelling, and the formation of pus. Over time, the pimple may either burst, allowing the pus to drain out, or it may resolve on its own as the inflammatory response subsides.
Warm compresses can help bring a pimple to a head so that the sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria can exit the skin's surface. Using ice can help relieve inflammation. Other treatments, such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, may help manage acne and prevent pimples from forming.
Pimples refill after popping because you often don't remove all the pus and debris, pushing some deeper, while the inflammation continues, and the pore wall itself can be damaged, allowing oil (sebum) and dead cells to collect again, leading to recurrence in the same spot. Popping also creates an opening for bacteria, causing more inflammation and new pimples nearby.
Fact #2: Excess oil, dead skin cells, bacteria, and hormones can all play a role in the formation of blackheads and whiteheads. Stress, lifestyle choices, and certain beauty products may also contribute.
While Vaseline doesn't directly dissolve blackheads, it does soften keratin and sebum inside the pores, allowing them to be removed more easily — a gentler alternative to forceful squeezing.
The good news: Handy tools called blackhead extractors work wonders in bringing these pesky spots to the surface. The bad news: Using blackhead extractors (aka comedone extractors) incorrectly might do more harm than good. Below, we've tapped an esthetician for advice on how to use these tools safely at home.
Factors that can cause your pimples to smell
The smell associated with acne isn't just a byproduct of the blemishes themselves—it's caused by an interplay of factors. The presence of bacteria, the intensity of your acne breakout, and your personal hygiene practices all collectively contribute to this distinctive scent.
Because the pore gets stretched out of shape, it will fill back up again even after it is emptied.
The other half of the pus gets sucked inside since you're putting pressure when you release. It just stays there. You can't get it out anymore because it's inflamed and irritated. That's why pimples come back on the same spot, sometimes bigger than the one before it.”
Carbohydrates like sugar and fats are quickly absorbed by the bloodstream, which can lead to a spike in blood sugar levels and an overproduction of sebum, resulting in oily pores. Too many animal-based foods like meat and dairy might boost our bodies' hormone production, also stimulating our skin's oil glands.
You may be tempted to pop this unwanted guest, but it's not a good idea. Contrary to what pimple popping videos may show, squeezing your skin to extract the contents of a pimple — a mixture of oil, dead skin and bacteria — can cause scarring and infection.
Dopamine: Against dermatological advice, many people pick at their skin routinely. This habit releases dopamine, the feel-good hormone. As a result, popping and picking—or watching someone else do it—brings on a cathartic rush of satisfaction.
Sometimes, a brownish spot, known as the comedonal core, appears in the middle of the head. It is a plug of debris within the pore. Acne pustules range in size from small to fairly large. They develop in the same areas as papules: typically on the face, back, and shoulders.
It can happen when you pop, squeeze, scratch or over-exfoliate a pimple, breaking the surrounding blood vessels. If you have frequent blood-filled pimples or other acne problems, talk to your primary care provider or dermatologist. Several remedies are available over the counter and by prescription.
On the other hand, bumps caused by STDs, like herpes sores or genital warts, are often accompanied by pain, itching, or changes in appearance, and they tend to appear near the vulva, vagina, and anus.
Acne with PCOS can look like papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts. Whiteheads and blackheads can also be present. Basically, it looks like normal acne! As PCOS results in a hormonal imbalance, acne from PCOS may show up in a hormonal pattern.
Smells Like: Onion or Garlic
Zits are filled with pus, which is essentially dead white blood cells that provide a feast for infesting bacteria, Chimento says. These bacteria are mostly anaerobic (meaning they don't require oxygen to survive), and they generate their own sulfur compounds as they grow, she explains.