Is squeezing spots yourself dangerous?
Het Nieuwsblad, 15 July 2026
Dr Griet Voet explains in Het Nieuwsblad why squeezing spots damages the skin and when you are better off seeing a dermatologist.
Videos of spots being squeezed do well on social media. In Het Nieuwsblad, Dr Griet Voet explains why you had better not try it at home.
Medically speaking, a spot is a pustule: an inflamed bump filled with pus, usually caused by acne, but sometimes also by rosacea, folliculitis or other conditions. Pressing with your fingers also damages the healthy skin around it, which increases the chance of inflammation, redness, scars and pigmentation marks.
Dr Voet explains how to open a ripe spot more carefully. Anyone who regularly has spots, or deep and painful inflammations, is best off seeing a dermatologist: the sooner acne is under control, the lower the risk of permanent scarring.
Key advice
Do not squeeze spots with your fingers.
Let a red bump without a head ripen first.
Open a ripe head carefully with a sterile needle from the pharmacy.
If you have frequent or deep spots, it is best to see a dermatologist.
“People who often squeeze spots cause more damage that way than the pustules themselves” — Dr Griet Voet
Want to know more? Read about Acne at Clinique Dermatologie Gent.