Apply gentle pressure to the sides of the pimple, recommends Dr. Lee. If it’s ready, it should burst quickly. If it doesn’t pop immediately, she says don’t press harder—just leave it alone.

If a dermatologist opts to extract or “pop” a pimple on your face, they use “sterile and delicate instruments to extract blackheads and whiteheads,” explains Dr. Sharghi.

Popping a pimple may make it more pronounced, as well. "That site can become larger and even more noticeable than the pimple itself," said Rodney.

We all know dermatologists and skin experts say not to squeeze spots. So if you're going to anyway, you need to do it right. Here's how to pop a pimple safely.

Dermat sheds light on the risks of pimple popping and urges only to pop if it's absolutely needed, as there are safer alternatives as well.

Popping blackheads may cause bacteria to enter your skin and cause an infection. Keep your hair out of your face: Another likely culprit of blackheads could be your hair.

Of course, once you actually pop a zit, it can be even harder to deal with because a raw head makes covering it up even more difficult. Fret not though.

In the world of blemishes, there are whiteheads, cystic acne and their evil stepsister, blackheads. And, though blackheads aren't painful, they're unsightly, and—like ants–they seem to pop up ...