How to Get Rid of Pimples in a Day
Acne emergencies always seem to pop up 24 hours before a major event, such as a big job interview, a high school reunion or a first date. And while the best way to treat and prevent acne is with a regular, gentle skin care routine, sometimes you need a quick fix. Fortunately, there are several tricks you can use to quickly and effectively minimize---and even erase---unwanted pimples. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Acne cream containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid
- Ice pack
- A heat device, such as Zeno or ThermaClear
Instructions
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Dab a little acne cream containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid directly onto the blemish. Apply sparingly, because benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid can dry out your skin, making the acne more noticeable. Gently dab it on a couple of times during the day, and make one last application right before you go to sleep.
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Treat your pimples with an ice pack or cold compress for 15 to 20 minutes. The cold will reduce swelling and redness, making your zits much less noticeable.
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Use a heat device, such as a Zeno or ThermaClear, which channels high-frequency electrical current to kill the inflammation-causing bacteria that makes blemishes so noticeable. Within a few hours, your pimple will be considerably smaller and less noticeable.
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If you're desperate, call your dermatologist to make an appointment for an emergency cortisone injection. It will erase inflammation and make your pimple pretty much disappear.
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Tips & Warnings
Stress can make breakouts worse, so try not to panic about your blemish. If your pimple is still slightly visible after these treatments, use a noncomedogenic concealer to make it disappear.
Don't use vitamin A-based products like retinol for quick treatment. They can be very effective at treating acne over the long term, but in the short term they often cause redness and dry skin. Avoid picking at pimples to try to make them go away. You'll likely only make the problem worse.
