15 Easiest Way to Heal Pimples
1. ZAP IT WITH BLUE LIGHT.
Yes, you read that right. There's tons of research that shows that blue-colored light can help lessen bacteria in skin. How that translates to acne? It speeds up healing by helping to kill bacteria, explains Dr. Francesca Fusco, a NYC dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology. You can sit in front of a blue light at the doc's office but there are also totally safe and affordable at-home masks that shine blue colored light, too. (We like Tanda Zap orIlluMask which also emits anti-inflammatory red light to calm skin, too.) And if you tend to get deep, super red pimples, the light is more likely than topical treatments to reach where the bacteria lies.
3. PUT A STICKER ON IT.
Well, one laced with pore-clearing salicylic acid, of course. Not only does it provide just-the-right amount of an active ingredient to the area, it also keeps it from getting wiped away on your pillow or wiped away. Plus, it can help you keep your hands off it, which is a big no-no, especially for deeper pimples with no whitehead. Try: Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots. (And see what happened when we gave these a test drive!)
4. USE A PIMPLE-FIGHTING CONCEALER.
Think about it: for all the time it's on your skin, your makeup might as well be doing more than just covering it up. Look for a concealer laced with exfoliating and therefore pore de-clogging salicylic acid such as e.l.f. Zit Zapping Concealer.
5. REACH FOR OVER-THE-COUNTER HYDROCORTISONE CREAM.
You know, the white creamy stuff you put on your mosquito bites or a hive. "If applied as a thick spot treatment, directly on a pimple, it can reduce inflammation quickly," explains Dr. Fusco. In some cases it can also prevent the formation of a dark spot where the pimple was. But know that less is more and you only want to apply it right on a specific pimple once (as in one time only per pimple!) and not all over your face. That's because hydrocortisone contains a steroid, so over applying it can actually worsen a breakout.
6. ALWAYS REMOVE YOUR MAKEUP BEFORE YOU WORK OUT.
We get it: You barely have time to exercise and you sometimes want to look cute when you do. But when you work out, "sweat is coming from pores and that's exactly where your makeup sits - in pores," explains Dr. Luftman. "Then you touch your face and press whatever bacteria is at the gym into your skin." Blech. So not only are you putting your skin at risk for forming new pimples, but the ones you have can get worse. But if skin is makeup free, pores are more likely to stay in the clear and breakouts are able to heal. Try Simple Skincare Micellar Make-Up Remover Wipes before you hop on the treadmill.
7. APPLY ASPIRIN.
If it can take down a headache, it can take down a pimple thanks to its anti-inflammatory powers. But only use this on the big red kinds, not every single tiny whitehead that pops up. (And just put it on before bed for a night or two as needed.) "Crush up a tablet and add a tiny drop of water to make a paste out it and dab it on the area and let it sit for as long as you can or overnight," says Dr. Julie Karen, a dermatologist in NYC.
8. WEAR SUNSCREEN.
Not only can the mineral-based formulas that contain zinc oxide (like BeautyRx Solar Defense Sheer Sunscreen SPF 50) help speed up healing, the SPF will ward off sun damage that can keep a spot lingering long after it's gone flat. But be sure to use a sunscreen that clearly states 'oil-free' on the label so that you aren't using one that contains potentially pore-clogging oils (note: that most face formulas for daily use are always oil-free).
9. ICE IT.
"Ice is a potent anti-inflammatory, especially in the face of acute inflammation like with a pimple," says Dr. Karen. "Icing has two benefits - first, it reduces redness by causing the dilated blood vessels to constrict. It can actually take it down in terms of size and flatten it out, too." Before applying makeup, place an ice cube on a red, raised pimple for a few 30 second intervals and it will instantly appear flatter. (Just be prepared that the ice will be cold and make your skin red for a bit.)
10. APPLY FACE LOTION EVERY DAY.
As much as you think you need to dry breakouts out and want to skip this step, as long as it's oil-free, your skin will get the hydration it craves to stay balanced and blemish free. Try Simple Skincare Protecting Light Moisturizer SPF15.
11. DO YOGA.
Yoga poses that increase blood flow to the face (think inversions like wheel, bridge or downward dog) can speed up healing by delivering fresh blood to the area. That doesn't mean you can do one move and expect to see results though. Practice daily at home in the morning or before bed (at night is when skin goes into super repair mode naturally) or hit a yoga class. Just be sure to keep skin and your mat clean and bacteria free by wiping down your mat pre and post workout with an antibacterial wipe or lay a clean towel on top.
12. COAT IT WITH CALAMINE LOTION.
The pink goopy stuff you put on bug bites is super soothing. To transform it into a pimple fighter, before shaking the bottle, pour out the liquid that that pools at top so that you're only getting the pure calamine paste, then use a cotton swab to apply a thick layer just to your pimple(s). "It can help dry it out more rapidly without over drying the surrounding skin," says Dr. Karen, who suggests applying this with caution (a tiny dot is all you need!) and just once a day is enough to get the beauty benefits.
13. APPLY A HOT COMPRESS.
Red, tender, underground pimples that you just know are filled with puss can be hard to reach with topical treatments since they can only seep so far down into skin. Instead, apply a warm-hot compress (simply soak a washcloth in warm water) to stimulate your body's clean up crew cells to come and clear up the spot and bring the gook to the surface.
14. PUT EYE DROPS ON IT.
You know how they can instantly take the red out of eyes? Well, it has the potential to do the same for skin. "They act like a vasoconstrictor, which means it closes down small blood vessels," explains Dr. Luftman. It might not have magic ~healing~ powers, but it can lessen the red appearance of a pimple, at least for a few hours. Add a drop directly on the spot, or soak the tip of a cotton swab then dab it right on top.
15. TRY A BENZOYL PEROXIDE SPOT TREATMENT.
While salicylic acid is a great exfoliator that can get rid of dead skin cells that can clog pores and therefore perfect to help maintain clear skin, it's benzoyl peroxide that's able to kill the puss inside a pimple that's already popped up. Warning: it can be super harsh so you want to only put a tiny amount right on the pimple and don't do it more than once a day. Plus, "it can bleach your sheets and pillowcases so consider placing a white towel on your pillowcase before bed,".
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