History

• People have been fighting skin problems since the first human beings looked at their reflection for the first time. Cleopatra used to bathe in fresh milk to keep her skin looking fresh and young, while the Greeks maintained radiant complexions with honey. Many of these ancient balms survive today in the form of herbal skincare and homemade acne and pimple treatments.
  
  

Function

• Pimple treatments can work in several ways. They can make the skin less friendly to pimples by drying it out or killing bacteria living in the pores. They can also speed the healing time on existing pimples, also usually by drying them out. They can also temporarily change the actual "environment" of your skin, thereby making it impossible for the minor infections that cause pimples to grow on your newly altered epidermis.
  
  

Time Frame

• Pimple treatments often purport to work in hours or overnight. However, nearly all pimple treatments need at least 24 hours to work, and generally cannot get rid of existing pimples in this time period. While you may be able to zap one pimple in a day or two, altering your skin so that you do not develop more pimples can take weeks or even months.
  
  

Types

• Popping pimples opens you up to infection, so do not do it even though it is tempting.
  
  There are many different types of pimple treatments. If you have extremely sensitive skin, then all-natural, herbal pimple treatments containing avocado, peppermint or chamomile may help you cleanse your pores without inflaming your skin. If your skin is particularly oily, you can try a scrub or medicated pad that will help dry up some of that oil and lesson your odds of developing bacterial colonies in your pores. Some companies purport to treat pimples with lasers or with ultraviolet light, and some people believe that sun lamps hold the secret to clear, radiant skin.
  
  

Considerations

• Before you try any pimple treatment, make sure it is designed for your skin type and your particular pimple problem. If you do not know your skin type, consult a dermatologist to make sure that your intended treatment will not actually make the problem worse. For example, an acne treatment can exacerbate a blackhead problem, so you need to be sure that you are actually addressing your skin's needs.
  
  

Warning

• Many pimple treatments can make you extremely sun-sensitive. Make sure that you follow all warnings and instructions on your pimple treatments. If you do not, you can severely and permanently damage or scar your skin, as well as potentially give yourself third-degree burns from sun over-exposure.