What are the treatments for blood-filled pimples?

What are the treatments for blood-filled pimples?

Blood-filled pimples usually heal on their own if you keep them clean, but otherwise leave them alone.

If pimples don’t heal as they should, or if you keep getting acne breakouts, treatment and prevention options include:

• Salicylic acid: Salicylic acid is a topical product that removes dead skin cells (exfoliates), fights bacteria, reduces swelling and lessens redness. It’s usually in the form of a gel, serum or patch, available over the counter or by prescription.
• Retinoid: This product is a form of vitamin A that usually comes in a gel, serum, cream or patch. It helps unclog pores and is available over the counter and by prescription. Isotretinoin is an oral retinoid that’s available by prescription for severe acne.
• Antibiotics: Antibiotics kill the bacteria that contribute to breakouts. They’re available by prescription, usually in pill form but sometimes as an ointment to put on your skin (topical).
• Oral contraceptives: Also called the birth control pill, this treatment regulates hormones, which can help prevent acne.

For severe blood-filled pimples or acne that frequently causes them, your dermatologist may recommend a procedure, such as:

• Drainage and extraction: Your dermatologist uses special, sterile tools to pierce the pimple and drain it. The procedure removes bacteria, pus and other substances. It relieves pressure, reduces the risk of infection and speeds up the healing process.
• Laser therapy: This procedure uses focused beams of light to kill bacteria, break up scar tissue and encourage growth of healthy cells.
• Microdermabrasion: This procedure is a deep exfoliation that removes the top layer of skin. It’s not usually used on pimples that are currently inflamed. But it can remove blackheads and whiteheads (which can develop into pimples).