Think of a pimple as a little sack that holds
oil, debris, and acne bacteria, says dermatologist Zakiya Rice, MD, an
assistant professor at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.
"What we call the pustule is actually
keeping the bacteria nice and contained," she says. When you puncture the
pimple's outer skin, the gunk oozes out. If the bacteria contained in that gunk
splatters and lands inside other pores, it can lead to more pimples.
There's another risk. Poke, pick, prick, and
prod a pimple, and you can force the debris and bacteria even deeper into your skin.
You may also introduce new kinds of bacteria from your finger into the zit.
That can cause the pimple to become more red, inflamed, swollen and infected,
and may even lead to permanent scarring.
Bottom line: "It's best to let a pimple
run through its life span," Rice says.
Left alone, a blemish will heal itself in 3
to 7 days. Popped improperly, it can linger for weeks or even lead to scarring.
How Pros
Pop Pimples
Dermatologists and well-trained estheticians
know how to pop a pimple safely. They wear gloves and lance a pimple with a
sterile needle, then remove the contents with an instrument called a comedone
extractor.
So, popping a pimple is best left to the
pros. But let's face it. Sometimes, it can be tough to resist the temptation to
squeeze the pus out of that bright red zit on your cheek, chin, or nose.
1. Don't poke too early. Wait until your
pimple has a firm white head. That means the pus is close to the surface and
ready to be drained.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly with warm
water, soap, and a fingernail brush.
3. Sterilize a straight pin with a match or
lighter. Let the pin cool, then wipe it down with rubbing alcohol. Swab the zit
with alcohol and pour some on your fingers, too.
4. Dry your fingers and wrap them with a
clean tissue.
5. Position your pin. Hold the pin parallel
to the surface of your skin, and gently pierce the very tip of the zit's white
center.
6. Using your fingers, or a cotton swab,
softly squeeze the pimple. Press around (not on) the white tip of the zit. If
the pus doesn't come out easily, the pimple isn't ready to be popped. Stop!
7. Apply more alcohol (it will sting) or a
very small amount of bacitracin ointment to the now-deflated blemish.
You can opt for over-the-counter or
prescribed medicines to treat them. You can also get rid of pimples easily
using effective, natural remedies. Using these remedies is better than picking
or squeezing, which can ultimately contribute to scarring.
Remedies
for Pimples
1. Lemon
Juice
Lemon juice
can effectively treat pimples within a few days. It contains high vitamin
C content, which is good for all types of skin, and its acidic property helps
exfoliate the skin. Plus, it is an astringent that will help dry out pimples
quickly.
- Dip a cotton ball in two tablespoons
of fresh lemon juice and apply it on your pimples. Leave it on for 20
minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Repeat the process two
or three times a day for a few days.
- Thoroughly mix equal amounts of lemon
juice and rose water. Apply the mixture on the pimples and leave it on for
about 30 minutes. Then, wash your face with lukewarm water. Do this twice
daily for a week.
- Mix one tablespoon of lemon juice with
one teaspoon of ground nut oil and apply it on the affected skin area.
Allow it to dry on its own before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Do
this once daily for a week.
Note: For
faster results, use fresh lemon juice instead of the packaged version, which
contains preservatives.
2.
Toothpaste
The
toothpaste that you use to clean your teeth can also be used to treat pimples.
Toothpaste can help dry out pimples quickly due to ingredients like baking
soda, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol and menthol. However, you must only use white
toothpaste. Do not use whitening, gel, or colored toothpastes.
- Apply a little toothpaste on your
pimples.
- Leave it on for two hours or
overnight.
- Wash it off with a damp washcloth and
then apply a soothing moisturizer.
- Repeat once daily for a week or two.
3. Garlic
Garlic can
also be used as an effective home treatment for pimples due to its antibacterial
properties and sulfur content. It is also full of antibiotic, antifungal,
antiseptic and other healing properties.
- Cut garlic cloves into two and rub the
pieces on your pimples. Leave it on for five to 10 minutes and then wash
your face. Repeat the process several times a day for a few days.
- You can also eat one or two raw garlic
cloves daily on an empty stomach to purify your blood, which will help
reduce pimples.
4. Steam
Steam can
help alleviate a number of minor skin problems, including pimples. Steam helps
open up clogged pores, allowing the skin to breathe. Bacteria, dirt and oil
trapped deep within the skin also will be flushed out.
- Boil a pot of water and pour it into a
large bowl. Allow the water temperature to cool slightly so the steam
doesn’t burn your skin.
- Place your face above the bowl and
drape a thick towel over your head to trap the steam.
- After 10 to 15 minutes, remove the
towel and pat your face dry. Then apply an oil-free moisturizer.
- Repeat this process two times a day
for four or five days to reduce pimples and make your skin glow.
5. Ice
Pack
Ice helps
treat pimples by improving the blood circulation in the affected skin area. It
also helps freeze clogged skin pores, which in turn removes oil and dirt
particles accumulated in the skin. Ice will also reduce the inflammation and
pain caused by pimples.
- Wrap ice cubes or crushed ice in a
clean, cotton cloth and gently press it on the affected area for a few
seconds.
- Wait a few minutes and repeat the
process three or four times.
- Do this twice daily to get rid of
pimples within a day or two.
Note: Never
apply ice directly on your skin as it can cause an ice burn.
6.
Turmeric
Turmeric has
antiseptic properties that help kill the bacteria that cause pimples and
prevent pimples from forming. It is also a good antioxidant, which helps
treat pimples and the inflammation caused by them.
- Mix one tablespoon of turmeric powder
with a few drops of water to make a thick paste. Apply the paste on the
affected skin and leave it on for a few minutes. Rinse it off with cold
water. Do this twice daily for a week.
- Mix one tablespoon each of turmeric
and juice from coriander leaves to make a thick paste. Dab the paste on
your pimples and allow it to dry on its own before washing it off. Repeat
the process once or twice daily.
- You can also add one teaspoon of
turmeric to a glass of warm milk and drink it regularly before going to
bed to prevent pimples.
7.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon can
also help treat pimples due to its antibacterial, antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory properties. A combination of cinnamon powder and honey is a
very popular home remedy for pimples.
- Mix two tablespoons of honey and one
teaspoon of cinnamon powder to make a thick paste.
- Apply the paste on the affected skin
area and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Rinse it off with lukewarm water, pat
your face dry and then apply a light moisturizer.
- Do this once daily for a couple of
weeks.
8. Apple
Cider Vinegar
Apple cider
vinegar has natural antibiotic and astringent properties that make it an
effective ingredient for treating pimples. The antiseptic qualities of apple
cider vinegar also help kill the bacteria that cause pimples. In addition, it
will help restore the proper pH balance to the skin, which makes it harder for
bacteria to thrive.
- Add one part of pure unfiltered apple
cider vinegar to three parts water.
- Dip a cotton ball in the solution and
apply it directly on the affected skin area.
- Leave it on for 10 minutes and then
wash your face thoroughly with water.
- Apply a light moisturizer to prevent
dryness.
- Repeat the process once or twice daily
for quick results.
- Do this for a few days or until you
see improvements
9. Orange
Peel
Orange peel
has astringent properties that help remove oil and dead skin cells that
clog the pores. It also dries out pimples quickly. Plus, the vitamin C in
orange peel promotes growth of new, healthy cells.
- Grind dried orange peels into a
powder.
- Add some water to the powdered peels
to make a paste.
- Apply the paste on your pimples and
leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Wash it off with warm water.
- Do this once daily for a week to see
positive results.
10. Neem
Neem, also
known as margosa leaves, has antifungal, antibacterial and blood purifying
properties and it is regarded as the best natural astringent. Neem kills
bacteria that cause pimples and prevents them from coming back.
REMEMBER
The bottom
line: Try to resist popping a zit. If you can't, pop with clean fingers and a
light touch.
If you find
yourself facing the "to pop or not to pop" dilemma every day or week,
talk to your doctor or a dermatologist about ways to manage your breakout