How to get rid of a pimple
We all know it. Most of us have had it. Some of us even have one on our faces right now- the dreadful pimple. Getting rid of a pimple can be a daunting task because they tend to leave their mark of hyperpigmentation. More so, when it comes to acne and breakouts, no one product can work for everyone.
Pimple is a form of comedo that arises from excess sebum production and dead skin cells trapped under the skin. Pimples are usually triggered by hormonal fluctuations and other environmental factors.
There are however a number of safe ways to treat a pimple that will get rid of them faster and reduce your chances of getting hyperpigmentation.
Before we continue on to the tips, it is important to be realistic about how long it can take to get rid of a pimple. Some pimples will just not budge regardless of what you do.
Also note, that this article is intended for those who have one to a few pimples across their face and not moderate to heavy acne. Sometimes, we just need to get rid of that one pimple that appears out of nowhere as soon as possible.
Tips to get rid of a pimple
1. Do not aggravate the pimple site
When we aggravate a pimple on our skin, it tends to stay a lot longer and leave hyperpigmentation behind. In fact, in most cases, it is better to do nothing than do anything that could potentially worsen the situation.
Do not attempt to pop a pimple if you cannot follow up with the strict hygienic process that comes before, during and after popping. Popping a pimple could push the bacteria further into the skin which could lead to infection, swelling or redness. It can also be very painful and the chances of developing hyperpigmentation greatly increases. More so, it becomes a lot more inflamed and noticeable.
Ensure you do a basic skincare routine– cleanse, moisturize, and sunscreen during the day and your skin will heal if you let it.
Avoid overly harsh ingredients around the pimple site unless they are intended to treat the pimple. Instead, use soothing and calming ingredients such as Panthenol, aloe, centella, green tea, etc. to calm down irritated skin.
2. Spot Treatments
Spot treatments are a great option as they aim to dry out pimples or clear bacteria under the skin that is causing it. These types of treatments are great for a fast yet effective fix. They are usually applied only on the pimple site. A spot treatment usually contains ingredients like:
Sulfur: Dries out active pimple
Salicylic Acid: Clears out bacteria through exfoliation
Niacinamide: has wound healing properties
Benzoyl Peroxide: Kills Bacteria under the skin
Zinc Oxide: Decreases oil production and clear out bacteria
Calamine: Dries out active pimple
There are so many other ingredients such as tea tree oil, chamomile, camphor, witch hazel, etc that can be formulated to get rid of acne. Ensure to research and try out each ingredient to see which one works best for you.
Calamine may be too strong and drying for some, while some people can only handle salicylic acid as opposed to say, Benzoyl Peroxide.
However, Keep in mind that spot treatments are not a one minute fix. They take a couple of hours to a couple of days of treatment to get rid of the pimple. Regardless, it is worth spending the extra couple of bucks because they last a really long time.
Spot Treatment Recommendations
3. Pimple Patches
Pimple patches are phenomenal. Unlike spot treatments that may leave the skin dry, pimple patches usually does not. Pimple patches are hydrocolloid bandages or stickers that you place on top of a pimple to absorb fluid from the pimple while protecting the skin from external factors such as picking, bacteria, pollution, etc.
They usually work within the span of hours. Some patches are laced with acne fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid or Benzoyl peroxide. However, those tend to be more expensive.
To get a similar effect, you can apply a salicylic acid treatment or any other spot treatment and place a patch on the affected area right after.
It has been recommend that one could get hydrocolloid bandages from the pharmacy as a substitute. However, it’s not as fancy as the patches.
Pimple Patches Recommendations
These are the top ways to get rid of a pimple and fast without worsening the situation and potentially leaving long-term hyperpigmentation.