If the pimple on your face is still new, red and inflamed, it is better that you leave it alone for a few days to give it time to heal. A simple way to ascertain whether it's time to pop a pimple or leave it alone is to look at the pimple and see whether it has developed a tiny pore or has become white in color. If you see either of these two signs, you can go ahead and pop the pimple. Although, let me warn you first that popping a pimple can sometimes lead to acne scarring, yet if you follow the below suggested procedure to the tee, the chances of your pimples on face getting worse and causing scars will reduce considerably. Tips to Properly Pop a Pimple Step # 1: Wash Hands and Face Before popping pimples, clean your hands thoroughly so that when you touch the pimple or its surrounding skin, no germs or bacteria are passed on to it through your hands. Also, clean your face, especially the skin around the pimple thoroughly with an antibacterial cleanser so that when you open the skin by popping your pimple, bacteria does not enter inside. Step # 2: Disinfect the Needle Before setting out to pop a pimple with a needle, it is important to disinfect it. A simple way to do that is to put a small amount of isopropyl rubbing alcohol in a small bowl or a bottle cap and let the needle sit in it for about ten minutes. Step # 3: Exfoliate Exfoliate the skin around the pimple as it will help in dead skin cell removal. For exfoliation, dab a clean cloth with a gel containing salicylic acid and rub it on the affected skin for about two minutes. It is much easier squeezing pimples minus the dead skin. Step # 4: Warm Compresses Take a washcloth, dip it in hot water and apply it on your pimple. Continue doing this for about fifteen minutes. Warm compresses will make the skin soft and will bring the pus to the skin's surface, thus making popping pimples easy. Step # 5: Disinfect the Surrounding Skin Take a cotton ball, dip it in isopropyl rubbing alcohol and clean the pimple and the surrounding skin with it. Make sure that your hands are cleaned with an anti bacterial soap before carrying on this activity. Step # 6: Insert the Needle Make sure that only about a fourth of an inch of needle is inserted in it. Due to the application of warm compresses on the pimple, the skin of the pimple will already have become soft so the needle will most probably enter the pocket beneath the pimple without much pain. Step # 7: Drain the Pus This is the most trickiest step. Remember, when draining out the pus, apply pressure around the pimple very gently. Do not apply force or the pus might end up going deep into the skin, making the pimple worse and even leading to scars. So, in order to drain out the pus, place two of your fingers on either side of the pimple and then gently move them towards the pimple, applying pressure gently at the same time. Continue this from all the angles around the pimple, till the entire pus inside it is squeezed out. Step # 8: Clean the Area and Apply Cream Once the pus starts coming out, wipe it off with a cotton ball dipped in isopropyl rubbing alcohol. After the entire pus is drained and the skin is entirely cleaned, apply an antibiotic cream to heal the skin. Sometimes, it may happen that the pimple may redevelop after you have popped it. In such a case, you will need to repeat the whole process again. To save yourself of such hassles, there are certain acne prevention steps that you can follow to prevent pimples from developing such as removing your make-up before sleeping, washing your face twice a day with an anti bacterial soap, applying non-comedogenic moisturizers and avoiding greasy foods in your diet.