www.getridofacne.org.uk

• Hydrocortisone cream. This is an anti-inflammatory drug available in topical cream, and it is very effective in reducing the swelling of the pimple. It actually dries out the pimple when applied, however, using it too often can also produce acne. You can apply a dab of hydrocortisone cream on your zit until it dries up, as long as you only have a few pimples to treat. Another form of hydrocortisone treatment is steroid injection, which can be administered by a dermatologist. This treatment just costs much expensive though, but the results are faster and more effective.

• Pop the pimple. This is of course the least recommended form of getting rid of zits, but it does work as long as you know when and how to do it. Popping your pimple can cause irritation, and even infection and stimulation of more pimples so be very careful in doing it. Here’s how. First, check if your pimple is already safe to pop-a zit with a white-yellow center is eligible for the popping process, as all they have inside are pus which really has to be released. If your pimple is still hard and utterly swollen, don’t push it. It will only bleed and ruin your pores. Be sure that you have clean, disinfected hands before you perform the pop. Once you’re ready, hold a warm washcloth (just like a warm compress) on the zit for 3-5 minutes to make it soft, then gently apply pressure by pressing two cotton swabs on the side of the pimple. Afterwards, apply salicylic acid cream (spot treatment) to the popped out zit.
• Salicylic acid. This solution is the best tool against blemishes, and they work on both popped and un-popped pimples. It is usually safe for all skin types and it goes deeper into the sebaceous glands. Salicylic acid also clears clogged pores and reduces the zit’s redness and swelling. Among the best brands of salicylic acid available in the local drugstore are Bliss Change Your Spots, Clinique Acne Solutions Spot Healing Gel, and Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Defense Face Lotion.

When you discover a pimple on your face, don’t panic. Just stay calm and cool as a cucumber, as being conscious about it only increases your stress-which in turn makes your sebaceous glands produce more oils out of your skin, making your pimple worse. There is also a right timing when applying treatments, so before you browse on those creams and drugs to get rid of your pimple, do some first aid procedures first.

1. Do not ever touch your pimple. A zit in its early stages is very stubborn and trying to prick it will only hurt your skin and produce even bigger damage. So, the best thing to do is to let the pimple be, until it matures and is more eligible for treatment. All you can do is to continue your facial hygiene as usual, to get rid of the present excess oils and dead skin.
2. When washing your face, use a mild medicated soap and warm water to loosen your pores and let all the oils out. Then rinse your face thoroughly so the soap residue won’t be left on your skin.
3. Pat your skin with a dry towel until dry.
4. When you see that it’s the right time to get rid of the pimple, you can then apply topical treatments such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid on the zit. Benzoyl peroxide works better on zits which cause pain under the skin, while salicylic acid is effective on all other pimple situations.
5. After the topical treatment, you can apply a face moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. Dry skin around a zit emphasizes the presence of the bump, while at the same time your skin is prone to more irritations. Use the one with contains no fragrance, hypoallergenic and oil-free.
6. If you are going out to meet friends, you can hide the zit using a concealer.
7. Repeat the process daily until your pimple dries out and finally disappears.