So, what causes pimples and what are they? Simply put pimples, also known as zits, are small inflamed elevations of the skin and they are a common symptom of acne. Even for those not usually suffering from acne, pimples can appear if a hair follicle becomes clogged and it can happen for both men and women at any age.
If whatever is blocking the pimple (can be cream, sweat, or makeup) isn’t removed fairly quickly it can cause an over-growth of P. acnes bacteria, which again causes an accumulation of the byproducts from their normal metabolism of oil on the skin. This often causes the follicle to become inflamed and swelling occurs leading to the well-known red, sore, elevated bump better known as a pimple.
Another component in the formation of pimples is likely diet. There’s general consensus that acne pimples have a hormonal component and it’s reasonable to assume that our hormones are affected by what we eat. Sugar and white bread in particular are often singled out as major culprits and there may well be some truth to it. Unfortunately, it’s beyond the scope of this article to delve further into the dietary component of acne pimples.
This article takes a look at how to get rid of pimples fast, both if you typically have more than a few pimples, or if you just have the occasional pimple requiring a few emergency tactics to quickly dry it up. The good news is that the best treatment for pimples can sometimes be a simple homemade remedy at the cost of only a few dollars.
How to Rid Face Pimples and Avoid Pimple Scars With Basic Skin Care
Are you surprised to learn that a great home remedy for acne is a simple bar of soap? Basic skin care is always an integral part of the best treatment for pimples and it goes a long way when it comes to pimple control. Taking the proper approach to washing your skin can prevent new pimples from ever forming and it can even remove pimples on the face fast.
Initially, be sure you gently apply your cleanser to your skin with clean fingertips. Don’t rub a bar of soap across your face with a washcloth as that will only serve to irritate your skin and make your acne worse.
Then, make sure you rinse your skin with lukewarm water. Don’t use hot, and don’t use cold. Hot water causes flaky skin, and chilly water shocks your pores. Dry by patting your pores and skin, not rubbing it – particularly with a dirty towel!
Unless you are following a regular skin care routine and your pimples are still coming back there is no need to spend a fortune on skin cleansers. For many people, soap and water are enough. Be sure to avoid any kind of abrasive cleaning soap like Lava. Ordinary Ivory (for oily skin) and Dove (for dry skin) are often adequate. Aveeno, Neutragena, Johnson & Johnson, Aveeno, and Neutragena offer affordable cleansers.
In the event your pimples are more stubborn and don’t seem to budge, even with regular skin care, it’s a good idea to try a complete over-the-counter acne system like Exposed Skin Care. It’s not just a pimple cream like the ones you can get at your local Walmart but rather a complete, more powerful skin care system that is very affordable. Many users of the system believe it’s one of the best cures for pimples available. If you want to find out more you can click here to read my Exposed review…
The Best Home Remedies for Pimples
Getting back to home remedies for pimples there are a few natural remedies for acne that you may want to consider. They aren’t pimple cures as regular maintenance is required over time to control pimples. As such talking about cures for pimples is actually a bit of a misnomer when you thin about it. However, these almost free beauty routines work by the same principles as basically any other pimple treatment, which is:
- Unclog pores.
- Control an overgrowth of P. acnes.
Here are my top three tips for a great home pimple remedy:
1) Lemon juice. Extract juice of one lemon and mix it together with an equal amount of rose water. Stir and apply the mixture on your face (or any other affected area) and leave it on for approximately 30 minutes. Then wash your face with fresh, lukewarm water. Do this once a day and after about two weeks you should see a significant improvement in your skin. Many of those who have tried lemon juice report excellent results. As an added benefit, lemon juice also reduces blemishes and scars.
2) Aspirin. One of the ingredients in Aspirin is beta hydroxy acid. When mixed with water and placed on the skin this acid works as a strong exfoliant thus helping to unclog pores and clear blemishes. Use the Aspirin scrub once a week to get rid of pimples and acne pimple scars. Just be sure to rub very gently and don’t leave the mask on for more than approximately 15 minutes. Those who use it daily for long periods suggest adding honey to the mixture for a smoother look and a pleasing glow.
3) Tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is obtained from the Melaleuca alternifoliais tree native to Australia and it is an effective pimple remover. There’s a good deal of evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of tea tree oil in treating acne and even many dermatologists are using it in their regular care of acne patients. Tea tree oil contains bacteria-fighting substances called Terpenes, which can outright kill P. acnes. Although not perfect, there are very few reported side effects from using tea tree oil.
Apart from the three home pimple remedies mentioned above, there’s also a great deal of recipes for various face masks to treat pimples and they are easy to Google. One treatment for pimples I found involved mixing a grated apple with a little honey and supposedly this is an excellent remedy for pimples. Another one says to simply apply fresh juice of raw papaya on pimples for a great result. Facial masks in general can be applied to the skin for 15-20 minutes after which they should be washed off with lukewarm water and then followed by a cold rinse.
These home remedies will help get rid of whiteheads as well.
How to Dry Up a Pimple Overnight - Emergency Tactics When You Need to Put Your Best Face Forward
Pimples can occur both on the body (back, chest, and legs), on the head (scalp and neck), and the face (forehead, chin, jawline). While all pimples are certainly annoying it is often face pimples that cause the most grief. Don’t they just seem to appear out of nowhere right when you need to put your best face forward on a date, at your prom, or at your wedding? It’s no coincidence because our emotional state is often reflected in how our skin looks. How to prevent pimples? Well, one of the best things you can do to prevent pimples is avoid stress. Easier said than done, but if at all possible try not to worry too much.
When a pimple occurs despite your best effort to relax, the best advice to follow initially is to stay calm. You do need to take action to enjoy an overnight pimple cure, but the wrong kind of action will just make the problem worse. Whatever you do – don’t pick with your nail. This will just affect the area around the pimple negatively, leaving it even more red and inflamed. Obviously, if a pimple occurs the day before an important event you don’t have time to see a dermatologist and medications won’t help you either. Fortunately, there a natural pimple home remedies you can try to clear a pimple that will significantly help reduce its appearance. Because a pimple is inflamed the best thing to do first is apply an ice cube to the affected area(s). This will help the swelling go down. Surprisingly, so will heat, but unless you have a device like the Zeno, hitting the right temperature and location is difficult.
The next top tip is very popular and effective and involves putting a dab of toothpaste (not gel) on the pimple. Do a spot test first for an hour to see how your skin reacts to the paste. If you don’t see any adverse effects consider applying the toothpaste right before you go to bed and leaving it on overnight while you sleep. This really works to reduce pimples and is one of the best ways to dry up a pimple fast and get clear skin overnight. Most of the time the swelling will go down enough that the pimple can be easily be covered with makeup.
Here are 5 additional tips that will help avoid any disaster pimples from popping up the day before an important social event:
- To avoid transferring bacteria and germs, clean your pillowcase, washcloths, towels, make-up brushes and applicators frequently.
- Stick to a regular, daily skin care routine and always dry by patting gently with a soft towel.
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and drink lots of water.
- Go natural and avoid heavy makeup before an important social event. This is especially important if you are very prone to pimples.
- Get your beauty sleep!
Don’t Pop a Pimple, But if You Must…
Whether it’s a white pimple or a painful red pimple you should avoid popping it. If you simply squeeze a pimple it can fill with blood and whether it eventually pops or not you risk pushing the pus deep into the skin. Popping pimples this way can cause an infection that may require treatment with antibiotics and there’s a very high risk it will cause a permanent scar.
However, sometimes there’s just no way around it. You need to remove pimples with a vengeance and it can’t wait. It is in fact possible to safely lance a pimple without causing a scar. There are several procedures online, but I found a nice one here. The only thing I would do differently is go to your local pharmacy and buy a hypodermic needle. A hypodermic needle is incredibly sharp and is, in my opinion, much better for lancing a pimple than a regular needle or pin because it only leaves a very fine and almost invisible cut.
Neither medicine or regular skin care can cure pimples. It’s something you try and control. If it’s an emergency your kitchen and bathroom has a lot to offer apart from water and soap. I hope this information has helped you see the light and once again feel comfortable in your skin.
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