We have all been there! But while pimples are more complex than once thought, we don’t have to simply suffer through the red spots until they go away by themselves. Here, we’ll look at how to get rid of pimples fast. But first!
What are Pimples and What Causes Them?
To treat any
skin condition, we have to understand what it is. Take a look about some basic
facts about pimples.
What are
Pimples? Pimples are holes that become clogged with dead skin cells and oil
(called sebum) from nearby glands. When the pores become blocked, they form
like the small red bumps we know as pimples. These clogged pores can also turn
into blackheads and whiteheads, or worse, inflamed pus-filled bumps.
What causes pimples? Many reasons contribute to pimples, and these are often caused by hormonal changes in our bodies. Life stages such as puberty—and for women—pregnancy and menopause can cause our bodies to produce too much oil and/or shed too many skin cells.
And let’s not forget the monthly period! With these changes, once a pimple appears, normal skin bacteria go into super drive in the pore. This glut of bacteria irritates the skin and inflames the pimples even more.
1. Apply Ice to the Pimple:
The first step is applying ice on pimple. You need to wrap some ice in a cloth and press it against the damage area for about 3 to 4 minutes at a time.
If the ice melts
too quickly just throw a few ice cubes in a plastic sandwich bag before
wrapping in cloth. Repeat this step several times throughout the day to soothe
your skin and reduce swelling.
2. Apply a Paste of Crushed Aspirin (Tablet) to the Pimple:
Aspirin is super effective at removing excess oil and dead skin and it contains salicylic acid. Crush 1 or 2 aspirin tablets and mix it with several drops of water to form a paste. Then apply the paste directly onto the pimple.
Leave the paste on
damage area for 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with warm water.
This will make the pimple less painful and also reduce swelling and redness.
3. Use an Over-the-Counter Acne Spot Treatment:
When choosing a right product off the shelf, you can choose acne medication by just looking two important ingredients such as Salicylic acid (Aspirin) is one of these. Another main ingredient to look for is benzoyl peroxide gel which helps to reducing oil and removing dead skin cells.
Benzoyl peroxide can also help to
kill the bacteria that cause the pimples. While both these ingredients are safe
and work in similar ways, which product you choose and how frequently you apply
it depends on your skin’s own unique factors.
Caution:
Both salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide have a drying effect. Using these too much, or using them in combination with other products, can irritate your skin. 0.5 - 2% salicylic acid are recommended during preparation.
When using benzoyl
peroxide, sun exposure should be limited. When trying any new product go slowly,
and avoid using more than is needed.
4. To
Conceal Pimples Use Makeup with Salicylic Acid:
We can’t just hide inside because we have pimples. Luckily, there are several makeup products available that can help us safely cover up spots while simultaneously combatting them.
As we discuss the acne spot treatment which is mentioned
above, you have to look few key words in the labeling on products such as face
powder, concealers and foundation.
Makeup ingredients
for Acne-Prone Skin:
Makeup for acne-prone skin usually contains similar ingredients found in over-the-counter treatments; the most common of these is salicylic acid. Acne-fighting foundations with salicylic acid offer natural-looking treatment for your pimples while treating existing acne and stopping new outbreaks.
Neutrogena, E.L. F., and Clinique, are just a few major brands that offer these formulations. Common ingredients to look for are “sulfur” which is like salicylic acid to reduce oil and unclogs pores and “hyaluronic acid” which battles the drying effect of other ingredients and keeps moisture in the skin.
As with spot treatments, however, you’ll need
to consider your skin type when choosing which product to use. If your skin is
already dry, you have to focus on products that keep pores clear without drying
out your skin.
Top Terms to
look for in Acne-Fighting Makeup:
If you are choosing makeup to cover your pimples or to keep skin clear when pimples have decreased, one things you should always look for on the label is non-comedogenic. Medically dialogue, a pimple is a “comedo meaning a blocked pore.
Products likely to clog pores, such as certain oils, are “comedogenic,” and those that don’t clog pores are “noncomedogenic.” There are so many products to choose from, you should be able to find one that is suitable for your skin.
One more
thing to look for is hypoallergenic, which may help with sensitive skin, and
“clinically tested” for products that have been tested by dermatologists before
coming to market.
5. Apply a
Face Mask for Acne:
There are a lot’s of face masks on the market these days, and many of them target pimples. Again, you have to see ingredients like; salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, which target the acne directly by unblocking pores and reducing inflammation. Another ingredient that works in a similar way is sulfur.
Sulfur is also used
to treat pimples, especially milder outbreaks, and is often found in face
masks. Sulfur is gentler than salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide and may be a
better choice if you have sensitive skin.
If you are choosing a face mask for acne, other key words to look for are “exfoliating” and anti-inflammatory.” It depends on your skin type, you can also choose other products that are calming, soothing and hydrating, or detox your skin and have antioxidant or antibacterial properties.
All face masks have different formulas that help to offset the drying
effects of the acne-fighting ingredients and soothe the skin. Lot of people tries
home remedies such as tea tree oil or green tea, both have antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory properties.
6. Get a
Cortisone Injection to Quickly Get Rid of a Pimple:
For massive and inflamed pimples, over-the-counter treatments may not affect enough. In that case, your best treatment may be an injection of cortisone directly into the cyst. It will be performed with a very thin needle, this injection shrinks the swollen tissue in the pimple, easing inflammation and allowing the pimple to heal.
A dermatologist can perform this procedure quickly and easily, and
you’ll see visible improvement within 24 hours.
In short, we know pimples can be stressful, frustrating and sometimes painful part of life. We have to understanding their causes and treatments can help manage and reduce their occurrence.
Remember, maintaining a consistent skincare routine, staying
hydrated and seeking professional advice when needed are key steps in keeping
your skin healthy and clear. Embrace your skin’s journey and be patient with
yourself clear skin is a process, not an overnight miracle.
Our Getting
Rid of Pimples article comes to an end. We hope that you gain deeper
understanding for this skin issue. Thank you for reading; we are looking forward
to exploring more interesting topics together in the future. Stay tuned and
stay engaged!