Yes, picking a blackhead can lead to a permanent acne scar, though the risk is usually lower than with deeper inflamed breakouts. A blackhead is a flat or slightly raised black or brown clogged pore, and squeezing it raises the chance of lasting damage. The UK National Health Service distinguishes these clogged pores from pus-filled pustules and painful deeper nodules and cysts that can join together. That difference matters because not every spot carries the same scarring risk.
Medical information disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional about symptoms, medications, tests, or treatment decisions.
Table of Contents
- What happens when you squeeze a blackhead?
- Which breakouts scar most easily?
- Why do some people scar while others do not?
- What should you do instead of extracting?
What happens when you squeeze a blackhead?
Pressing on the pore pushes pus, bacteria and inflammation deeper into skin. The Cleveland Clinic reports that this force enlarges the lesion and makes a lasting mark or scar more likely, according to its November 2024 explainer.
Picking can also bring infection, more breakouts, prolonged redness and swelling, and dark spots that take months to fade. The Cleveland Clinic lists those outcomes in its pimple-popping guide.
Which breakouts scar most easily?
Any acne spot can lead to scarring. Scarring is more common when severe nodules and cysts burst and damage nearby skin.
Avoiding picking reduces that risk. The advice appears in NHS acne guidance republished via Health Well.
Why do some people scar while others do not?
Non-inflammatory blackheads and whiteheads alone usually carry lower scarring risk than inflammatory acne. Genetics, acne severity, duration, and delayed treatment also determine who scars.
Direct trial evidence on squeezing lesions is limited. A UK NICE evidence review found little direct trial evidence, but its committee advised that persistent picking or scratching can increase scarring risk.
What should you do instead of extracting?
Leave the spot alone and let skin heal naturally to prevent scars from forming. People with acne should avoid popping, picking or squeezing for that reason.
For new blemishes, use over-the-counter acne products or pimple patches and keep hands off the face. Seek a dermatologist for persistent acne or existing scars rather than extracting at home.
- Use an over-the-counter product or pimple patch on a new blemish
- Keep fingers, nails and tools away from the pore
- Book a dermatologist visit if breakouts persist or a mark remains