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A pimple usually doesn't bleed unless you've picked at or tried to pop it. Although you should refrain from popping zits to avoid scarring, sometimes the urge is irresistible. If you do pop a zit, you need to take steps to stop the bleeding and prevent it from developing an aggravated appearance. The best way to treat a bleeding zit is to use a combination of pressure and a variety of other topical applications that can halt bleeding.
Steps
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Apply hydrogen peroxide and direct pressure to encourage the blood to clot. [1] X Research source Soak a clean tissue or washcloth in hydrogen peroxide, then apply gentle but firm pressure to the bleeding zit. The pressure will encourage the blood to form a clot, while the hydrogen peroxide will kill any bacteria coming out of the zit. This will prevent your acne outbreak from spreading to the surrounding skin.
- Note that hydrogen peroxide can dry out your skin, so make sure to moisturize once the bleeding has stopped.
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Use an ice pack. Cold decreases blood flow to an area (whereas applying heat increases blood flow). [2] X Trustworthy Source University of Rochester Medical Center Leading academic medical center in the U.S. focused on clinical care and research Go to source If direct pressure alone does not stem the bleeding, try applying pressure with an ice pack. Place ice in a clean towel or washcloth and hold it to the bleeding source for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the bleeding stops.
- Make sure the towel is clean to avoid the risk of introducing bacteria into your broken skin.
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Treat the bleeding with an astringent. Astringents like skin toner or witch hazel can be used both to tighten skin and to slow down bleeding. If you don’t have an astringent skin product around the house, you can use vinegar from your pantry. Soak a cotton swab or clean washcloth in the astringent and press it firmly against the blood source. With enough time, it should shrink the blood vessels and stop the flow of blood.
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Use a styptic pencil to stop stubborn bleeding. Styptic pencils are antiseptic tools that are used to stop bleeding from small scrapes and cuts quickly and cleanly. [3] X Research source They coat the area with alum or silver nitrate, stemming blood flow almost immediately. The waxy material also creates a thin barrier over the damaged skin, protecting it from bacteria and infection. You can buy a styptic pencil at the pharmacy or online.
- Wet the styptic pencil, and apply it with gentle pressure to the zit until it stops bleeding.
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Press a potato slice against the bleeding source. Research has shown that potatoes are a fast and effective way to stop bleeding from small cuts and scrapes. The starch soaks up water and blood plasma, and encourages the blood to clot quickly. [4] X Research source
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Apply benzoyl peroxide to both clear up the zit and stop bleeding. Soak a cotton swab or tissue with benzoyl peroxide and apply direct pressure to the pimple. It will both encourage the bleeding to stop and attack the bacteria that causes zits in the first place. This will help prevent the spread of your outbreak to the rest of your skin.
- Benzoyl peroxide can dry the skin out slightly, so be sure to apply moisturizer after washing it off.
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Visit your doctor if the bleeding doesn't stop. Bleeding from a minor source, such as a zit, should stop within one to nine minutes. If a minor wound bleeds more than that, it might indicate anemia or another blood clotting disease. Your doctor will be able to diagnose and address any underlying health problems that might contribute to your bleeding.
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Resist the urge to pop your pimples. It’s tempting to just get the offending pus out of your skin, but you should leave pimple popping to medical experts using professional tools. When you pop a pimple, the bacteria that oozes out can get into the pores in the surrounding skin, actually spreading acne to otherwise healthy skin. You might also cause more bleeding, which is never a good thing! [5] X Expert Source Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 15 May 2020.- A pimple should run its course within three to seven days, so just medicate it with topical treatments and wait it out.
- Think about it this way: you probably want to get rid of the zit because you don't like the way it looks. But a zit is temporary. Popping it can cause scarring — and you probably won't like the way that
looks, either, but the difference is the scarring is permanent
. It's better to just wait out the pimple and allow it to clear up rather than risk permanently marring your skin. [6]
X
Expert Source
Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 15 May 2020.
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Continue using benzoyl peroxide. Most acne treatments on the market make use of it, so you can find it in a wide variety of styles. Depending on your preference, you can use benzoyl peroxide as a lotion, gel, cleanser, cream, or face wash. It kills off the bacteria that causes acne outbreaks and removes excess oil and dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.
- Be careful not to get it on your clothing, as it can discolor dyed cloth.
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Try applying salicylic acid to your skin. [7] X Research source The products on the market that contain salicylic acid come in a wide variety of strengths, so look at the packaging to determine which product will be best for you. Like benzoyl peroxide, it comes in a variety of application styles: medicated wipes or pads, creams, gels, cleansers and face washes, and even shampoos. [8] X Expert Source Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 15 May 2020.- Salicylic acid can cause skin irritation when you first start using it, so apply a small amount for a few days. You can gradually increase your usage as your skin adjusts to the product.
- These products tend to dry out the skin. Make sure you moisturize regularly, and decrease your usage if the dryness gets out of hand.
- Don’t use products with salicylic acid if you have any open or broken pimples on your face.
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Try Retin-A (tretinoin). This is a topical cream that must be prescribed by your doctor or dermatologist. Wash your hands before and after applying Retin-A, then wash your face with a gentle cleanser. Wait about 20 to 30 minutes, then apply the cream — if your skin is not try, the Retin-A may irritate it. Apply a thin layer to the acne lesions before bedtime or in the evening. Avoid the eyes, ears, and mouth. [9] X Research source
- Retin-A can make your skin sensitive to sunlight, so make sure you limit exposure and wear sunscreen and protective clothing if you go outside. Never apply to sunburned skin. [10] X Research source
- Consult your doctor if you are planning on getting pregnant.
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Be gentle when washing your face. Many people mistakenly think that scrubbing at their skin will help clean and treat the skin more quickly. In fact, vigorous scrubbing usually makes acne worse. It irritates the skin, and can weaken its natural defenses against bacteria and infection. [11] X Expert Source Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 15 May 2020.- Choose a gentle cleanser like Cetaphil or Noxzema. These soaps will help keep the skin moist and clean. The best way to massage to soap into the skin for cleaning is with you hands and fingers. Make sure you wash your hands before applying the soap.
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Use products as directed. [12] X Research source If a product tells you to use it twice daily, don’t assume that using it four times a day will be twice as effective. In fact, the opposite might be true: by upsetting the balance of your skin, you can cause redness, dryness, and irritation that keeps your skin unhealthy and uncomfortable.
- Don’t give up on treatment too quickly! Many treatments take a long time to have a positive effect on unhealthy skin, so follow the instructions and be patient. Experts recommend waiting at least six to12 weeks before deciding a treatment doesn’t work for you.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionShould you squeeze pimples?Dr. Margareth Pierre-Louis is a board certified Dermatologist and Dermatopathologist, Physician Entrepreneur, and the Founder of Twin Cities Dermatology Center and Equation Skin Care in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Twin Cities Dermatology Center is a comprehensive dermatology clinic treating patients of all ages through clinical dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, and telemedicine. Equation Skin Care was created to provide the best in evidence-based, natural skin care products. Dr. Pierre-Louis earned a BS in Biology and an MBA from Duke University, an MD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, completed a residency in dermatology at the University of Minnesota, and completed a dermatopathology fellowship at Washington University in St Louis. Dr. Pierre-Louis is board certified in dermatology, cutaneous surgery, and dermatopathology by the American Boards of Dermatology and Pathology.No! If you start to pick at your pimples you may end up with scars. When you have a pimple, your skin is inflamed. If you pick at the inflammation, it may dig deeper into your skin and lead to a scar. Since there's no way to know how deep the inflammation goes, you're always risking a scar if you pick, squeeze, or pop a pimple.
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QuestionIs there anything that can stop the bleeding in less than 5 minutes?Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.Sometime it take a long time for zit to stop bleeding. Try the techniques listed in the article and see if they help.
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QuestionHow do I get rid of zits?Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.You can use a gentle cleanser, a benzoyl peroxide solution, or Retin-A to get rid of zits. Talk to your doctor — they may be able to help you out with a prescription treatment.
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References
- ↑ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000045.htm
- ↑ http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=4483
- ↑ https://www.webmd.com/teens/shaving-tips-girls
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/men/news/20021016/potato-powder-stops-bleeding
- ↑ Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 15 May 2020.
- ↑ Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 15 May 2020.
- ↑ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a607072.html
- ↑ Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 15 May 2020.
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/retin-a.html
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/retin-a.html
- ↑ Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 15 May 2020.
- ↑ http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/features/acne-treatment-mistakes
About This Article
Article Summary
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To stop a zit from bleeding, soak a clean tissue or washcloth in hydrogen peroxide, then apply gentle but firm pressure to it. The pressure will encourage the blood to clot and the hydrogen peroxide will kill any bacteria coming out of the zit. Another way to stop your zit from bleeding is to apply an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes since cold decreases blood flow. Alternatively, soak a cotton ball in an astringent like skin toner or witch hazel and then apply it to the zit to tighten the skin and slow the bleeding. To learn how to wash your face to avoid zits, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I had a small pimple on my face that would not stop bleeding. I used a cloth with ice for 10 minutes on and off until it finally stopped, and I used peroxide to clean the area and keep it clean. Thank you so much." ..." more
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"I had a small pimple on my face that would not stop bleeding. I used a cloth with ice for 10 minutes on and off until it finally stopped, and I used peroxide to clean the area and keep it clean. Thank you so much."
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"Your article helped me stop a bump that is on my face from dry skin."
