In general, if a bump on your face isn’t bleeding, turning darker, or changing in a concerning way, it probably doesn’t need any type of medical intervention. But, if a bump changes in color or shape, bleeds, or increases in size rapidly, it’s time to schedule an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist to have it checked out.
Here are some common types of face bumps and how to treat them.
Whiteheads/Blackheads
These common bumps can appear on the face and other parts of the body and are categorized in two groups: closed comedones (more commonly known as whiteheads) and open comedones (blackheads). They are similar in the fact that they are both pores that have been clogged with excess oil and dead skin cells. The difference is that with blackheads, the comedone is open so oil and dead skin cells become oxidized, taking on a brown or black hue. Whiteheads, on the other hand, are closed, making the cocktail inside appear white, pinkish, or flesh-colored. To manage them (and prevent full-blown breakouts), always wash your face before you go to bed using a cleanser that contains at least 2 percent salicylic acid.
Inflammed Pimple
An inflamed pimple is a painful bump crop up on your face, sometimes with a large white head and potentially a reddened circle surrounding it. These occur when the bacteria in our pores start to mix with the excess buildup of dead skin cells and oil that causes acne. Inflamed acne is often red, painful, swollen, and sometimes filled with pus. Avoid squeezing the spot as this can lead to even more redness and inflammation. Plus it could increase your risk for developing a scar. To get rid of pimple, use a gentle cleanser containing benzoyl peroxide and oil-free skin-care products. You can also add in some anti-inflammatory treatments.
Milia
Milia are few tiny whitehead-looking bumps on your face that wouldn’t budge no matter how many times you attempted to wash them away with an acne-fighting cleanser. Milia are basically dead skin cells stuck under your skin and are not harmful. These keratin-filled cysts usually pop up near the eyes, cheeks, and nose, can occur in any skin type or skin color, and happen to be very common in newborns. If you want to get rid of them, use products with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic or lactic acid to exfoliate the skin.
Moles
These types of bumps or spots form when melanocytes, the skin cells that create melanin, clump together or grow in clusters rather than being spread out. Experts aren’t totally sure what causes moles to form, but sun exposure is thought to increase the number of moles on your skin. Moles are perfectly normal and most times often harmless. Common moles generally don’t require treatment. Dermatologists will remove moles for cosmetic reasons, if the mole rubs against your clothing and that bothers you, or if they suspect the mole could be skin cancer.
Skin Tags
These are usually oval-shaped, benign skin growths that connect to the skin on your body or face, via a stalk. They feel soft to the touch and typically appear on the neck, upper chest, eyelids, groin area, and underarms. Skin tags are totally harmless as long as they don’t grow rapidly, change color, or become infected or painful in any way. That said, if your skin tags aren’t bothering you, there’s no reason to remove them.
