Dr. Pimple Popper's Advice for How to Get Rid of Acne

Acne encompasses a range of facial spots beyond just your latest breakout situation: black and whiteheads, pimples, pustules, cysts, and nodules, says Dr. Lee. A black or whitehead occurs when a pore is clogged with debris and oil. When those blockages build up, bacteria, specifically the P. acnes variety, can get involved. That triggers inflammation and infection, which causes painful red pimples.

You know when you're getting a pimple even before you see it. "When a pimple is under your skin, you can feel pain if you push on the area. That's when the bacteria is starting to irritate," explains Dr. Lee. As the spot gets redder and rises to the surface to become a pustule (aka a pimple that looks “squeezable”) your body is recruiting white cells in order to fight it off. "Your body is pushing out the pimple," she says. Cystic acne is a more severe form of acne; also pus-filled, cysts can be deep and have the potential to scar. A nodule is a hard, solid lesion that's also deep within the skin.

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What comes before the pimples even head to the surface of your skin? Though most people tend to get acne in their teens, women are more likely to suffer throughout their lives. "Acne is predominantly hormone-driven. Because of hormone fluctuations throughout your cycle, you may break out around your period or during ovulation," Dr. Lee explains. There are also genetic components that drive how likely you are to get acne, like how oily your skin is naturally.

The genetics of acne may be out of your control—thanks mom and dad!—but there is plenty you can do in the fight for clearer skin. Whether you have the occasional pimple, regular breakouts, or more serious acne, Dr. Lee has advice for you.

The best way to treat acne is to get into a skin care routine that actively prevents pimples. Here are Dr. Lee's must-have ingredients to look for in acne-fighting products:

Benzoyl peroxide. It's an antibacterial that eliminates P. acnes on skin. Look for this ingredient if you have lots of pustules, since they're an indication that you’re dealing with higher levels of bacteria on your skin. This ingredient won't be as effective when used on blackheads.

Retinol. This vitamin A-derivative targets white and blackheads by treating the ones you have and preventing new ones from popping up. "Since blackheads are the building blocks of acne, it's really important to prevent them with retinol," says Dr. Lee.

Salicylic acid. A master exfoliator, SA keeps pores clean, and it comes with a pretty cool bonus benefit too: "It crystalizes and settles into pores to prevent new acne from forming," explains Dr. Lee.

(Because Dr. Lee found that her patients were overwhelmed by all the anti-acne choices in stores, she created her own line, SLMD Skincare. The products contain her must-use pimple preventing ingredients.)

Even though you may be antsy to know if your skin care routine is working, it's important to give a new regimen two or three months before expecting results. (As long as your skin isn't irritated by a new product, of course–if it is, stop using it.) "Your acne didn't start overnight, so it won't disappear overnight either," cautions Dr. Lee.

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If benzoyl peroxide, retinol, and salicylic acid help a bit but not completely or if you have cystic acne, see your dermatologist. You may need something beyond topical treatments, says Dr. Lee. Here's the extra oomph that may make a difference.

Oral antibiotics. These help treat and prevent bacterial growth from an inside-out approach.

Birth control pills. These often help clear skin because they moderate hormone levels that might otherwise spark breakouts.

Spironolactone. This diuretic packs an anti-testosterone effect, which is especially effective in treating acne in patients with the hormonal disorder polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS, says Dr. Lee. "Patients also like how it improves the feel of their skin by reducing oil production," she says.

Isotretinoin. If you experience deep, painful cysts and nodules, you may need more aggressive treatment. This oral derivative of vitamin A (commonly referred to by the brand name Accutane) shrinks oil glands and limits how much oil they produce. "This is a fantastic medication that does something no other acne medication does," says Dr. Lee. After taking it for four to six months, "we say that your acne goes into remission." Because the drug carries a risk of birth defects, you can absolutely not get pregnant while taking it, so patients are required to take pregnancy tests before, during, and after taking the med.

If you're going to take matters into your own hands, at least pop responsibly. Wait until the pimple comes to the surface of skin (you'll see the white, pus-filled head of the pimple). Popping a pimple when your skin is ready "will cause the most shallow trauma to skin and decrease the likelihood of permanent scarring," says Dr. Lee. You're also more likely to get everything out; if you don't, the spot will just get inflamed again.

Ideally, do this in the shower where warm water will naturally help open pores. Popping pimples in the shower also ensures you’re in a clean environment. Otherwise, use clean hands and put a warm compress on the pimple to help draw it out. After you squeeze all the contents out, wash your hands again to avoid spreading the bacteria to another site on your skin—or even someone else. (Yikes!)

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No one dies from acne–so why treat it? "The answer is that it can deeply affect your psyche, behavior, and relationships," says Dr. Lee. If you've been grappling with acne for years, understand that pimples aren't your fault. There's at least one silver lining: "Having oily skin means you have built-in moisture, which keeps skin looking younger," she says. Remember that next time you wake up to a killer zit.