How To Stop A Pimple In Its Tracks
Is there anything worse than waking up with a huge pimple on your face? If there’s one surefire way to ruin your day, it’s looking in the mirror and seeing an angry red zit staring back at you. And of course, it usually happens when you have somewhere important to be that day - maybe it’s from stress or just plain luck, but pimples always come at the worst times.
While you can try your best to keep acne at bay, there’s a variety of reasons why a pimple might just pop up out of nowhere. Regardless of what caused the pimple, once it shows up you’re probably desperate to get rid of it - and fast! Luckily, we have a few tricks up our sleeve to treat a pimple in order to help reduce its appearance so you can get rid of it quickly and avoid any signs of scarring.
Keep reading to learn a few easy ways to stop a pimple in its tracks so you’re prepared for the next time one pops up unexpectedly.
Keep it Clean
You should definitely try and keep the area extremely clean. Don’t touch the pimple, especially if your hands are dirty - that’s a no-no. The last thing you need is to put more bacteria onto the surface of your skin that can potentially create more pimples.
If you must touch it, make sure your hands are clean and freshly washed. But definitely don’t pop or squeeze the pimple or pick at it. It’s unlikely, but it is possible that you could cause an infection if you’re constantly picking at it and creating an open wound. So, your best is to keep your hands off the pimple and definitely don’t try to pop it on your own - leave that to the professionals!
Ice, Ice Baby
Got an angry, red pimple? Turn to your freezer - ice is amazing at treating inflammation and reducing redness. It’s a simple, but extremely effective way to treat those big, painful zits that pop up from time to time. Not only does it help reduce the swelling and appearance of an angry pimple, but it can also help temporarily numb the area if it’s causing you any pain. It also helps increase blood flow to the area.
The best part is, ice is free! You can put ice directly on the pimple, but if that’s too cold for you you can also wrap it in a towel or use an ice pack. Don’t leave the ice on your face for too long - most doctors would recommend doing it in increments - so five or so minutes on, five minutes off. If you want to upgrade from plain old ice, you could also pick up an ice roller from Amazon or your favorite beauty store to use on pimples and also help with lymphatic drainage and swelling.
Hands Off
As we mentioned earlier, your best bet is to keep your hands off the pimple to avoid further irritation and potential infection. We know this can be difficult, but luckily there’s one awesome solution that will help heal your pimple and keep you from bothering it at the same time.
A great way to keep your hands off the pimple and treat it is by using pimple patches. These seemingly magical patches will cover up the pimple, creating a sealed, moist environment for pesky breakouts to heal. They also help prevent scarring and protect it from being exposed to more bacteria and environmental debris. Most pimple patches are also so thin and clear, you’ll barely notice them - meaning you can wear them in public or under makeup without anyone realizing it.
The best part is, pimple patches also help draw out fluid and pus from the pimple, which will help reduce the inflammation and make the pimple appear smaller. They’re safe for sensitive skin and biodegradable. And our brand new Uh-Oh! Breakout Banish Pimple Patches are vegan and cruelty-free, so you can feel good about using them.
You can read more about pimple patches and the ingredient behind them, Hydrocolloid, here.
Mask Up
Once a pimple appears, make sure you are using the right skincare products to treat the area effectively. Something you can do to help draw out the oil from clogged pores that could cause pimples is a face mask to decongest your skin.
A mud mask will go deep into the pores to help detox and unclog pores, making your skin feel refreshed and clean. While it won’t take down a pimple right away, it will help draw the congestion out and make the pimple appear less irritated. Plus, doing a weekly mud mask will keep your skin clean and likely help prevent future breakouts from clogged pores.
Patience is Key
The easiest thing you can do to make a pimple go away is to wait it out. We know that could take a few days, but being patient really is key with skincare. In the meantime, you could cover it up with a pimple patch or conceal it with makeup.
And remember, millions of people experience acne and breakouts so you’re definitely not alone. There’s nothing wrong with having acne and there’s also nothing wrong with wanting to get rid of a pimple. As cliche as it sounds, it’s true that people are so in their own heads that they’re not likely to notice a pimple on your face - so don’t let it get to your head.
What are your go-to tricks for getting rid of a pimple quickly? Let us know your tried and true pimple remedy in the comments below or on our Instagram!
