If you have the kind of begging-to-be-popped zit where you can actually see the white stuff just under the surface -- and you've gotta do something about it -- at least do it safely. First, clean the area thoroughly. Then take two sterile gauze pads and gently press on each side of the pimple, using the gauze (not your fingers, and especially not your nails) to apply pressure. If the white stuff can be squeezed out easily, do it. Then use another gauze pad to apply hydrogen peroxide and spread on an antibiotic ointment (like Bacitracin).
If the white stuff doesn't budge after squeezing gently, don't even think about popping it. Instead, soak a piece of sterile gauze in a mixture of 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 cup warm tap water. Hold the gauze on the spot for five to 10 minutes and repeat several times a day -- the salt water may help dry out the spot and draw the pimple to the surface. Only attempt to squeeze after you see whitish stuff under the skin.
If the white stuff doesn't budge after squeezing gently, don't even think about popping it. Instead, soak a piece of sterile gauze in a mixture of 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 cup warm tap water. Hold the gauze on the spot for five to 10 minutes and repeat several times a day -- the salt water may help dry out the spot and draw the pimple to the surface. Only attempt to squeeze after you see whitish stuff under the skin.
