Many people are tempted to “pop” pimples to make them go away faster. But doctors and patients alike are warning that this common habit can sometimes be far riskier than it seems—especially depending on where the blemish appears on your face.
Keep reading to learn why.
Lish Marie noticed a cyst-like pimple near her nose and did what many people do with what looks like a minor spot: she squeezed it and popped it.
Within just a few hours, she ended up at an urgent care clinic and left with four prescriptions. The mother of three quickly realized her pimple-popping moment wasn’t as harmless as she first assumed.
Medical professionals often refer to the area she popped it in as the “triangle of death”—the region of the face where an infection can, in rare cases, spread through connected veins in a way that can reach the brain.
Lish later shared the experience in a TikTok video, explaining that she had popped the pimple just beneath her nostril without thinking much of it. A few hours later, she began noticing swelling in her face.
Then the symptoms became even more alarming. When she tried to smile, only one side of her face would move while the other remained stiff. She also described “extreme pain” centered around the area where the swelling was most concentrated.
She went straight to urgent care, where doctors evaluated her and treated the issue as an infection-related complication.
She was prescribed four medications, including antibiotics and steroids, to help fight the infection and reduce inflammation. She was fortunate to seek care quickly, especially because the pimple she squeezed was located in the so-called “triangle of death.”
“I think I caught mine extremely quick, within hours, so I’m on a ton of meds,” she said.
By the next day, she said she was already feeling noticeably better. Within three days, she reported that she was back to normal.
Doctors warn about popping pimples in the “triangle of d*ath”
Medical experts have repeatedly cautioned people about squeezing pimples in this facial zone because it can potentially allow bacteria to travel through veins that have pathways toward the brain, which can lead to serious complications.
Dermatologist Dr. Mark Strom explains that if a pimple shows up in the central facial region—roughly from the bridge of the nose down to the corners of the mouth—you should avoid popping it.
“Popping pimples in the center of the face can be particularly dangerous. Squeezing the pimples leaves a small wound where bacteria can enter the bloodstream, leading to infection,” he said.
He added that this specific area is especially concerning because of the way facial veins are connected: “The area of the face from the bridge of the nose down to the corners of the mouth has veins that connect directly to the brain via a blood vessel called the cavernous sinus.”
According to Dr. Strom, when a pimple is popped in this region, it can create an open wound that bacteria can use as an entry point into the bloodstream. From there, an infection may spread and, in severe cases, reach the brain. If complications develop, the consequences can be serious, including risks such as blindness, stroke, or paralysis. In extreme situations, infections can be fatal.
If a pimple in this area truly needs to be drained, dermatologist Dr. Mamina Turegano emphasizes that both the skin and the hands involved must be properly sterilized.
“Then poke the pimple with a diabetic lancet, which has a very tiny needle, to open the surface with a small prick that ‘won’t cause too much damage,’” she said.
After that, she advises applying gentle pressure using two cotton swabs to help absorb the contents.
“When popping a pimple, it’s very important that you’re not applying a lot of pressure; otherwise, you’re gonna get a lot more inflammation and result in scarring,” she said—while also stressing that people should avoid taking chances with pimples located in the “triangle of death.”
Share this with others so they understand why popping a pimple in the wrong place can be a much bigger risk than it looks.
