What’s the difference between a blackhead and a pimple? Both pimples and blackheads are types ofacneblemishes, but these blemishes develop differently and are treated differently, too.This article will go over the key differences between blackheads and pimples, including why they happen, how they’re treated, and what you can do to prevent them.
What’s the difference between a blackhead and a pimple? Both pimples and blackheads are types ofacneblemishes, but these blemishes develop differently and are treated differently, too.
This article will go over the key differences between blackheads and pimples, including why they happen, how they’re treated, and what you can do to prevent them.
Blackheads vs. Pimples: InflammationThis photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoDermNet /CC BY-NC-NDOne of the differences between a blackhead and a pimple is inflammation. Pimples are a type of inflamed blemish. Pimples are red and swollen. They often hurt, but not always.Some pimples stay small, but others can get fairly large. Pimples can appear on the:FaceNeckShouldersUpper torso areaButtPimples and Blackheads: How to Treat Them
Blackheads vs. Pimples: Inflammation
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoDermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
One of the differences between a blackhead and a pimple is inflammation. Pimples are a type of inflamed blemish. Pimples are red and swollen. They often hurt, but not always.
Some pimples stay small, but others can get fairly large. Pimples can appear on the:
Pimples and Blackheads: How to Treat Them
Blackheads vs. Pimples: No InflammationBlackheads differ from pimples because they are non-inflamed blemishes. They are typically flat, aren’t red or swollen, and they don’t hurt. In fact, you might not even notice you have a blackhead unless you’re really inspecting your skin in the mirror.You can get blackheads in the same places pimples appear, but they’re most commonon the nose, chin, around the lips, and in the ears.Some blackheads can get quite large and obvious, while others are so tiny you can barely see them with the naked eye.Pimples vs. Blackheads: Different Types
Blackheads vs. Pimples: No Inflammation
Blackheads differ from pimples because they are non-inflamed blemishes. They are typically flat, aren’t red or swollen, and they don’t hurt. In fact, you might not even notice you have a blackhead unless you’re really inspecting your skin in the mirror.
You can get blackheads in the same places pimples appear, but they’re most commonon the nose, chin, around the lips, and in the ears.
Some blackheads can get quite large and obvious, while others are so tiny you can barely see them with the naked eye.
Pimples vs. Blackheads: Different Types
Blackheads vs. Pimples: Red or White HeadAnother way that blackheads and pimples are different is the types of each. There are actually many different types of pimples.A pimple with a red head, or just a red bump on the skin, is called anacne papule.As it progresses, a papule may develop a white or yellow pus-filled top. If it does, it’s now called anacne pustule.Not all papules turn into pustules, though.Pustules are sometimes called “whiteheads.” Just to make things more interesting (or confusing) there is another type ofblemish that is also called a whitehead:milia.Milia vs. PustulesAlthough they share the same nickname,miliaand pustules are completely different types of blemishes. In fact, there are many different skin issues that cause white bumps on the skin. But if your bump is red, inflamed, with an obvious white head, it’s more than likely an acne pustule.Pimples vs. Blackheads: What Are Pustules?
Blackheads vs. Pimples: Red or White Head
Another way that blackheads and pimples are different is the types of each. There are actually many different types of pimples.
A pimple with a red head, or just a red bump on the skin, is called anacne papule.
As it progresses, a papule may develop a white or yellow pus-filled top. If it does, it’s now called anacne pustule.Not all papules turn into pustules, though.
Pustules are sometimes called “whiteheads.” Just to make things more interesting (or confusing) there is another type ofblemish that is also called a whitehead:milia.
Milia vs. PustulesAlthough they share the same nickname,miliaand pustules are completely different types of blemishes. In fact, there are many different skin issues that cause white bumps on the skin. But if your bump is red, inflamed, with an obvious white head, it’s more than likely an acne pustule.
Milia vs. Pustules
Although they share the same nickname,miliaand pustules are completely different types of blemishes. In fact, there are many different skin issues that cause white bumps on the skin. But if your bump is red, inflamed, with an obvious white head, it’s more than likely an acne pustule.
Pimples vs. Blackheads: What Are Pustules?
Blackheads vs. Pimples: Dark Brown or Black Head
Blackheads look like well-defined dark dots on the skin. Have a “freckle” appear that has never been there before? Look closely; it’s probably a blackhead.
Some blackheads are super tiny, so small you can barely see them. Other blackheads can get quite large, several millimeters in diameter.
The technical name for a blackhead isopen comedo.
Pimples vs. Blackheads: How Comedones Form
Blackheads vs. Pimples: How They Form
Image: BSIP/UIG / Getty Images
In addition to having different looks, pimples and blackheads also form in different ways. Pimples develop when a plug of oil and dead skin cells become trapped in the pore. This plug stops up the pore opening.
Your skin’ssebaceousglands continue to do what they’re designed to do: create oil for your skin. The oil is pumped into the pore.
With nowhere else to go, this glut of oil, skin cells, and bacteria swells and breaks the follicle wall.White blood cellsrush in, and the pore becomes red and swollen.
Voila!A pimple has formed.
Pimples vs. Blackheads: Which Causes Bumpy Skin?
Blackheads vs. Pimples: How They DevelopImage: BSIP/UIG / Getty ImagesLike pimples, blackheads also appear when a plug develops in the follicle. The difference is that the plug develops at the skin’s surface, not deeper within the pore.Although it may look like dirt has become trapped in your pore, that black spot isn’t dirt at all. It’s actually the plug of your skin’s oil that you’re seeing.The top of the plug oxidizes because it’s exposed to air, and turns into that dark blackish-brown spot your see. (Think about what happens to an apple when it’s cut and exposed to air; it turns brown. The same thing happens with blackheads.)Blackheads typically don’t become red and swollen because they rarely lead to a break in the follicle wall.Pimples vs. Blackheads: What Are Closed Comedos?
Blackheads vs. Pimples: How They Develop
Like pimples, blackheads also appear when a plug develops in the follicle. The difference is that the plug develops at the skin’s surface, not deeper within the pore.
Although it may look like dirt has become trapped in your pore, that black spot isn’t dirt at all. It’s actually the plug of your skin’s oil that you’re seeing.
The top of the plug oxidizes because it’s exposed to air, and turns into that dark blackish-brown spot your see. (Think about what happens to an apple when it’s cut and exposed to air; it turns brown. The same thing happens with blackheads.)
Blackheads typically don’t become red and swollen because they rarely lead to a break in the follicle wall.
Pimples vs. Blackheads: What Are Closed Comedos?
Blackheads vs. Pimples: How They’re TreatedPimples and blackheads have similar prevention and treatment. Plenty of pimple-busting products and medications are available. For minor breakouts, over-the-counter acne medications should do the trick.More stubborn or widespread acne can be treated with prescription acne medications that you get from your healthcare provider.Some of the most common treatments for inflamed breakouts are:Benzoyl peroxideTopical retinoidsTopical antibioticsandoral antibioticsSalicylic acidOral medications like isotretinoin and birth control pills (for biological females only)Should I Pop a Pimple?Don’t pop inflamed pimples. This won’t help them to heal any faster but can causeacne scars.Pimples vs. Blackheads: Can You Pop Them?
Blackheads vs. Pimples: How They’re Treated
Pimples and blackheads have similar prevention and treatment. Plenty of pimple-busting products and medications are available. For minor breakouts, over-the-counter acne medications should do the trick.
More stubborn or widespread acne can be treated with prescription acne medications that you get from your healthcare provider.
Some of the most common treatments for inflamed breakouts are:
Should I Pop a Pimple?Don’t pop inflamed pimples. This won’t help them to heal any faster but can causeacne scars.
Should I Pop a Pimple?
Don’t pop inflamed pimples. This won’t help them to heal any faster but can causeacne scars.
Pimples vs. Blackheads: Can You Pop Them?
Blackheads vs. Pimples: Skincare and PreventionOne way that pimple and blackhead treatment is different is that because blackheads occur at the skin’s surface, you can gently squeeze them to remove them (gentlybeing the operative word). You can extract blackheads yourself or have an esthetician extract them for you during a facial.Pore stripsare another way to treat blackheads, although the results are temporary. They just get the top portion rather than the entire blackhead. For quick results, say just before a big event or a photo op, they’re a good option.Mild blackheads can be treated with OTC products. If you have lots of blackheads and bumpy skin, you have a type of non-inflamed acne calledcomedonal acne. Prescription medications are best to treat more entrenched comedonal acne.Options for treating blackheads include:Salicylic acidBenzoyl peroxideTopical retinoidsAlpha hydroxy acids, includingglycolic acid,lactic acid, andmandelic acidPimples vs. Blackheads: Can They Be Prevented?To keep blackheads away for good, you need to have a regular skincare treatment program. There are lots of factors that affect whether someone gets acne and some are not in their control (likegenetics), but in general, having a consistent skincare practice will also help prevent pimples.Pimples and Blackheads: When to See an Esthetician
Blackheads vs. Pimples: Skincare and Prevention
One way that pimple and blackhead treatment is different is that because blackheads occur at the skin’s surface, you can gently squeeze them to remove them (gentlybeing the operative word). You can extract blackheads yourself or have an esthetician extract them for you during a facial.
Pore stripsare another way to treat blackheads, although the results are temporary. They just get the top portion rather than the entire blackhead. For quick results, say just before a big event or a photo op, they’re a good option.
Mild blackheads can be treated with OTC products. If you have lots of blackheads and bumpy skin, you have a type of non-inflamed acne calledcomedonal acne. Prescription medications are best to treat more entrenched comedonal acne.
Options for treating blackheads include:
Pimples vs. Blackheads: Can They Be Prevented?To keep blackheads away for good, you need to have a regular skincare treatment program. There are lots of factors that affect whether someone gets acne and some are not in their control (likegenetics), but in general, having a consistent skincare practice will also help prevent pimples.
Pimples vs. Blackheads: Can They Be Prevented?
To keep blackheads away for good, you need to have a regular skincare treatment program. There are lots of factors that affect whether someone gets acne and some are not in their control (likegenetics), but in general, having a consistent skincare practice will also help prevent pimples.
Pimples and Blackheads: When to See an Esthetician
SummaryPimples and blackheads have some key differences. Although inflamed pimples and blackheads are different types of acne blemishes, they get their start the same basic way: as a plug of oil within the pore.Everyone gets occasional pimples and blackheads. These random blemishes generally heal quickly and aren’t a big concern.If you’re dealing with constant pimples and blackheads, give your healthcare provider a call. They can help you find treatment options for getting breakouts under control.Pimples vs. Blackheads: What to Do If They Won’t Go Away
Summary
Pimples and blackheads have some key differences. Although inflamed pimples and blackheads are different types of acne blemishes, they get their start the same basic way: as a plug of oil within the pore.
Everyone gets occasional pimples and blackheads. These random blemishes generally heal quickly and aren’t a big concern.
If you’re dealing with constant pimples and blackheads, give your healthcare provider a call. They can help you find treatment options for getting breakouts under control.
Pimples vs. Blackheads: What to Do If They Won’t Go Away
Frequently Asked Questions
A blackhead that’s not removed may not cause any issues other than how it looks, but it can also get inflamed. That said, a blackhead can also get irritated if you try to remove it.
Learn MoreWhat Happens During a Blackhead Extraction
You can gently squeeze a blackhead to remove it if it’s close to the surface of your skin. However, if your hands aren’t clean or you squeeze too hard, you can introduce bacteria into your skin or drive the blackhead deeper into your skin.
Some blackheads will go away on their own if they aren’t very deep. If they are deep in your skin, they won’t go away unless they’re removed.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cunliffe, WJ.Acne. Abingdon, UK: Taylor & Francis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne: Overview.Freshwater, D, Masiln-Prothero, S.Blackwell’s Nursing Dictionary. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Acne: Do lotions, tablets or light-based treatment help?Stearn, M.The Must-Have Health Guide. Basel, Switzerland; Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers.Plewig, G, Melnik, B, Chen, W.Plewig and Kligman’s Acne and Rosacea. New York, NY: Springer International Publishing.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Pimple Popping: Why Only a Dermatologist Should Do It.Additional ReadingKosmadaki M, Katsambas A.Topical Treatments for Acne. Clinics in Dermatology.2017;35(2):173-178.Saurat JH.Strategic Targets in Acne: The Comedone Switch in Question. Dermatology.2015;231(2):105-11.Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.Guidelines of Care for the Management of Acne Vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.2016;74(5):945-73.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cunliffe, WJ.Acne. Abingdon, UK: Taylor & Francis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne: Overview.Freshwater, D, Masiln-Prothero, S.Blackwell’s Nursing Dictionary. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Acne: Do lotions, tablets or light-based treatment help?Stearn, M.The Must-Have Health Guide. Basel, Switzerland; Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers.Plewig, G, Melnik, B, Chen, W.Plewig and Kligman’s Acne and Rosacea. New York, NY: Springer International Publishing.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Pimple Popping: Why Only a Dermatologist Should Do It.Additional ReadingKosmadaki M, Katsambas A.Topical Treatments for Acne. Clinics in Dermatology.2017;35(2):173-178.Saurat JH.Strategic Targets in Acne: The Comedone Switch in Question. Dermatology.2015;231(2):105-11.Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.Guidelines of Care for the Management of Acne Vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.2016;74(5):945-73.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cunliffe, WJ.Acne. Abingdon, UK: Taylor & Francis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne: Overview.Freshwater, D, Masiln-Prothero, S.Blackwell’s Nursing Dictionary. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Acne: Do lotions, tablets or light-based treatment help?Stearn, M.The Must-Have Health Guide. Basel, Switzerland; Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers.Plewig, G, Melnik, B, Chen, W.Plewig and Kligman’s Acne and Rosacea. New York, NY: Springer International Publishing.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Pimple Popping: Why Only a Dermatologist Should Do It.
Cunliffe, WJ.Acne. Abingdon, UK: Taylor & Francis.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Acne: Overview.
Freshwater, D, Masiln-Prothero, S.Blackwell’s Nursing Dictionary. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Acne: Do lotions, tablets or light-based treatment help?
Stearn, M.The Must-Have Health Guide. Basel, Switzerland; Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers.
Plewig, G, Melnik, B, Chen, W.Plewig and Kligman’s Acne and Rosacea. New York, NY: Springer International Publishing.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Pimple Popping: Why Only a Dermatologist Should Do It.
Kosmadaki M, Katsambas A.Topical Treatments for Acne. Clinics in Dermatology.2017;35(2):173-178.Saurat JH.Strategic Targets in Acne: The Comedone Switch in Question. Dermatology.2015;231(2):105-11.Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.Guidelines of Care for the Management of Acne Vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.2016;74(5):945-73.
Kosmadaki M, Katsambas A.Topical Treatments for Acne. Clinics in Dermatology.2017;35(2):173-178.
Saurat JH.Strategic Targets in Acne: The Comedone Switch in Question. Dermatology.2015;231(2):105-11.
Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.Guidelines of Care for the Management of Acne Vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.2016;74(5):945-73.
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