Don't you wish you could get rid of pimples that always
seem to pop up at the most inopportune times (like just before a big
date, important job interview, or your wedding day)? You need to get rid
of pimples and fast! Try these quick fixes to help rapidly banish that
breakout.
1. Spot-Treat It
Over-the-counter spot treatments
deliver a generous amount of acne-fighting ingredients directly to the
blemish. The most effective contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
Experiment to find which works best for you. Some spot treatments
are made to be left on overnight. Others are incorporated into a makeup
concealer or are tinted to hide the blemish while it heals. If you'd
rather go the all-natural route, try dabbing on a drop of tea tree
essential oil a few times a day. Some sources claim tea tree oil is as
effective as 5 percent benzoyl peroxide. You'll
be tempted to over-apply that spot treatment. Don't! You'll wind up
with flaky, irritated skin you can't disguise with makeup. Always follow
the usage directions precisely. Remember, spot treatments work best on minor blemishes.
2. Mask It
If spot treatments aren't quite helping, you may have better luck with a sulfur mask. Sulfur
helps unclog pores and reduce inflammation, and it has been used as an
acne treatment for many years. Today's treatments don't have the
unpleasant scent of those from years past. You can find
inexpensive masks containing sulfur at your local drug store or more
pricey products at posh department stores or salons. Some products
can be left on a spot overnight for maximum effectiveness; others must
be rinsed off after a few minutes. Make sure you follow the directions
on your product, and never leave a mask on overnight unless it
specifically says it's OK to do so
3.
Ice It
Here's a tip I learned from my favorite esthetician: apply an ice cube to inflamed blemishes. The
cold temperature will help reduce redness and swelling, making the
blemish look better. This is also a cool trick for those blemishes you
can't yet see, but you feel starting under the skin. You never
want the ice cube directly touching your skin, so first wrap it in a
soft cloth, and don't ice the pimple for too long (frostbite anyone?).
Ice for 20 or 30 seconds, followed by a minute or so of rest, a few
times per day or just before you go out. Why cold and not hot? If
you're trying to hide a pimple, the worst thing you could do is steam it
(or apply a hot compress) just before you go out. Heat can make the
pimple look larger and more red
4. Inject It
For those incredibly deep, painful nodules and cystic breakouts, your
best option is to call your dermatologist for a cortisone
injection.During
this quick procedure, a dilute cortisone is injected into the blemish.
Within just a few hours, the swelling with recede (and the pain will go
away, too). As the breakout flattens out, it is more easily camouflaged
with makeup.These deep blemishes don't respond well to other
treatments, so if you really need that breakout to be gone quickly, a
cortisone shot may be your best bet. Ideally, you'll want to talk to
your doctor about this option before you really need one.
5. Stop Breakouts Before They Start
These tips are helpful for treating individual pimples, but if you're
constantly battling acne
the ultimate goal is to stop pimples from forming in the first place.
For this, you'll need to use a good acne medication daily.
Over-the-counter products can work for mild acne. But if your acne is
more inflamed, stubborn, and especially if you have severe acne or
nodular breakouts, you'll need a prescription medication. Don't hesitate
to give your dermatologist a call!
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