Is That Bump a Pimple or an Ingrown Hair? A Dermatologist Explains How to Tell

A pimple can look like many things: a large bump, a small bump, a round and red bump, a hard and white bump — the list goes on. This can make it hard to identify whether a blemish is actually a blemish or if it's something else. For example, the bump on your skin that you think is a pimple (that also feels oddly sore) might actually be an ingrown hair, in which case, you should put down your hand mirror and avoid popping it at all costs.

If you're wondering how to tell if your blemish is a pimple or an ingrown hair, we spoke to Dr. Rita Linkner, MD of Spring Street Dermatology in New York City for a little bit of guidance.