A 4-day plan with three tools: 2% salicylic acid cleanser morning and night to clear pore plugs, a 2.5% benzoyl peroxide spot treatment once daily on inflamed bumps, and a hydrocolloid patch (Rael Miracle Patch, Hero Mighty Patch, COSRX) overnight on any surfaced whitehead. Add a 10-minute warm compress three times daily on deep tender bumps to bring them to a head. For under-the-skin spots, swap the flat patch for a microneedle one like Rael Microcrystal or ZitSticka Killa Kit on night 1 and night 3. Stop picking — picked spots take 7-14 days to heal versus 2-3 for an unpicked whitehead. Skip retinoids, AHAs, and exfoliating scrubs during these four days; they over-strip the barrier and worsen redness.