Regardless if you’re planning on heading out for a Friday night blind date or if you’re just spending a Sunday evening at home watching some late-night HBO, most people absolutely dread having a huge pimple rear its nasty white head.
The lion’s share of people on earth have had breakouts at one time or another, and some pimples get so large and nasty that they can be literally send you into a panic. Before freaking out and attempting to take the steak knives and bleach to your face, however, take a deep breath and remember that it’s just a blemish. It might be an ugly, intrusive, annoying blemish, but it’s just a blemish. You’re in total control of this pimple.
Steps to Dealing with a Pimple
Spot Treatments
If your skin is able to handle spot treatments, then this is the first thing you should do after washing your face. You know when that zit’s coming. You can feel your skin start to swell and become irritated. If you cannot catch it early, then get the sucker as soon as it breaks the surface and go for a spot treatment with at least a 10% peroxide solution to help dry out the oil in the blemish.
Avoid Pressure
It may sound nasty, but some people love to squeeze the ever-lovin’ puss out of a pimple. Not that they do this for habit or because they have some inclination for gross stuff; they pop the pimple because they think that’s how you get rid of a zit. Well, if you thought that, the game-show buzzer just sounded and you earned your first big X. Never, ever squeeze a pimple. In fact, you shouldn’t even be touching it beyond putting medication on it. Do not cause it to inflame further and do not spread the oil throughout your skin.
Hot, not Cold
Because a pimple grows large due to swelling, one of the longest-running urban myths is that you should treat a pimple with a cold press. This might work for a pimple that hasn’t broken the surface. The swelling may dissipate, as with a cold sore. But this will not work with a pimple that’s already formed. Instead, go for a warm (avoid hot) compress for about 15 minutes a few times a day. This will soothe the infected area and help get rid of the blemish.
There are really no ways to instantly get rid of a pimple. With some medication, a warm compress, and a night’s worth of rest, you should be able to get it down to a red spot which you can then cover up with some toner. But as far as instantly zapping it, it’s not going to happen.
Remember these steps for the next time a pimple shows up and always remember to practice good skincare in order to prevent them.