- If you are having a skin emergency, you will most likely head straight to the drugstore. There are so many products available that you practically need a PhD to figure out which one is right for you. One tip is to look for a "spot treatment" solution. Because these are not designed to be applied to your entire face, they tend to be a bit stronger than other treatments. In this situation, strong is what you need, and these can help to reduce the size and redness of your pimples.
The most common active ingredients in OTC acne medications are benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. If your skin is oily, you may want to use benzoyl peroxide while those suffering from dry skin may have better results with salicylic acid products. - Another solution to consider is a visit to the dermatologist. For a breakout that needs to be diminished immediately, your dermatologist can administer a cortisone shot. This will reduce the size of the pimple right away and it usually disappears within 24 hours. The shot takes just a few seconds, but can be somewhat painful. The cortisone shot may also be combined with microdermabrasion or a chemical peel to increase its effectiveness.
- In addition to OTC and Dermatologist-administered solutions, there are also a number of natural remedies that can be very effective against unexpected blemishes. In fact, you probably already have some of these acne fighters around your home already.
For example, plain toothpaste (white paste, not the gel) can be applied to a blemish overnight, often resulting in the decrease or disappearance of the pimple by morning. Another effective treatment is tea tree oil. An effective bacteria fighter, this can help relieve you of problem skin. In order to reduce redness, a couple of drops of Visine can be applied to the blemish using a cotton swab.
It is important to recognize that if you choose to use natural remedies that are not designed specifically to combat blemishes, you may react differently from others. If you experience irritation, remove the product immediately. The solution shouldn't create a bigger problem than the cure! - You've heard it a million times, but don't pick at your skin. Your skin could get infected and cause delayed healing and unsightly scarring. It is simply not worth it. Some dermatologists may perform extractions, but they are trained to do this. You are not. Don't cause further damage to your skin by trying to rush results. One of the remedies above should help you get back to clear and healthy skin in no time!
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