When a blemish or pimple starts to crop up, you likely want to get rid of it as soon as possible. But perhaps you've never stopped to consider what a pimple is, or how long it might last on its own. Scientists always aim to understand the nature of something—where it comes from, how it behaves—before focusing on a cure.
What Are Pimples?
Is there one specific kind of spot that can be defined as a "pimple"? The answer is no. Broadly speaking, a pimple can be defined as an acne lesion. This can include non-inflammatory lesions such as open and closed comedones (blackheads and whiteheads, respectively), and inflammatory lesions such as papules, pustules, and deeper cysts.
How Do Pimples Form?
The formation of a blemish can start weeks, or potentially months before it ever appears visibly," according to Renee Rouleau, esthetician & skincare expert. "Most infected blemishes form due to pre-existing whiteheads and blackheads, which consist of blocked and hardened sebum [aka oil] deep within the pores. These become inflamed due to dead cells that line the hair follicle and create bacteria."
It's important to note that all follicles (or pores) contain bacteria naturally. When oxygen can easily flow into the follicle, the bacteria can’t thrive or cause problems. It's only when you get the perfect storm of a little too much sebum, plus some dead skin cells, that you're put on the path to a pimple.
How Long Do They Last?
Typically a pimple will last anywhere from 3-6 weeks, depending on the types of treatments you use and how inflamed it is.
Treated Pimples: According to dermatologist Dr. Nazarian, dermatologists can inject stubborn, painful pimples which can reduce their size in as little as 24 hours.
Untreated Pimples: Pustular or cystic lesions can last weeks (four to six) once it starts to form to the time that inflammation resolves.
Popped Pimples: Popping a pimple will technically deflate the breakout within 4-5 weeks, it can also backfire and cause inflammation that will last far longer than an untouched pimple would have.
The Life Cycle of a Pimple
As Rouleau mentioned, hardened sebum causes a blockage in the pores, and voilà—a blemish is born. Bacteria brews and bubbles inside the growth, causing bumps (called papules) on the surface of the skin, along with redness and, sometimes, tenderness and pain.
White blood cells rush to the area to do their job of breaking down the bacteria, and the resulting carnage transforms the papule into a pustule, filled with the leftovers of the bacterial battleground.
As the infection wanes, the bump will scab and potentially scar, sometimes leaving dark spots called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (the chances of which are increased by picking at papules). Over time, the skin cells' natural renewal cycle will push out darkened cells, and the scar will fade gradually.
So exactly how long will this sebaceous intruder take up residence on our face? Non-inflammatory comedones can last for a long time without treatment; they often require a retinoid to help remove excess keratin. Pustular or cystic lesions can last weeks (four to six) once they start to form to the time that inflammation resolves.
Tip: Don't try to pop a cystic pimple prematurely and make matters worse; see a dermatologist.
How To Properly Treat A Pimple
At any stage, if you leave the pimple alone, it will eventually heal on its own, assuming your immune system and healing processes are working properly. But let's say you can't help but pop it. That may not be so bad. If you squeeze a whitehead, it’s similar to draining an abscess or infected wound and a way of removing the bacteria.
Be cautious: The risk of popping your pimples is that you can displace the infection so instead of coming out the surface, it can go deeper within the pore and cause more inflammation, making a blemish last even longer.
Whiteheads and Pustules
Wait for a day or two after you feel a blemish coming on for the infection to appear on the surface. Waiting will allow you to control the blemish effectively without damaging the skin. Once the whitehead is visible, you can apply a spot treatment, cold compress, or over-the-counter cortisone cream to try to treat it.
Blackheads
If your blemish buddies are more long-term or chronic, like recurring blackheads and whiteheads, retinoids that help with topical exfoliation and skin cell turnover are going to be your best bet.
Cystic Breakouts
Cystic breakouts are often harder to treat and take longer to go away than pustules, blackheads and whiteheads since they're deep under the skin. These should be treated by a dermatologist who can treat cystic acne with antibiotic creams, gels, anti-inflammatories, acids, or retinoids.
Tip: If your breakout is still a papule (a red spot with no obvious head), don't use drying spot treatments meant for pustules. You run the risk of drying out the skin, potentially keeping the infection trapped underneath even longer.
Why Are My Pimples Not Going Away?
There's a limit to the power of at-home treatment; if your breakouts persist despite your best efforts, when should you consider a visit to your dermatologist's office? "If your acne is not responding to skincare product treatments, a dermatologist can prescribe prescription retinoids, antibacterial creams, and other oral medications as appropriate for you. Another important reason to seek treatment is because early intervention is vital for clearing acne and preventing long term scarring. In other words, don't delay if problem spots continue to appear.
The Takeaway
Not every pimple takes the same course of life. Some red papules never turn into whiteheads. Cystic breakouts could take literal weeks to come to the surface of the skin. Identifying the type of pimple plaguing you and knowing roughly where it is in its life cycle, will give you the confidence to either treat it correctly or consult your dermatologist for intervention.
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article excerpted from Byrdie.com
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