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Pimples and Acne: A Quick Overview

What is Acne?

Acne vulgaris is a breakout on your skin. It consists of lesions called whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, or a combination of these. People with severe acne can develop deep and painful nodules and cysts.

Acne forms when pores on the skin’s surface become clogged or blocking, causing skin inflammation. Pores are tiny openings in the skin that release sweat and oil from skin glands. Dead skin cells, oil buildup, acne-causing bacteria, makeup, and dirt can all clog pores. Hormones also play a role in acne formation. What Are the 4 Types of Acne?

Factors That Contribute to Acne Formation

Acne is a common skin condition that can develop in people of all ages. Most people will have at least a few pimples in their lifetime. Acne is common among teenagers because of hormonal changes that cause excess sebum production. This sebum (oil) can clog pores and cause pimples to form. Fluctuations in hormone levels can cause breakouts in women during their menstrual cycle. Skin type and genetics also play a role in the likelihood of developing acne.

Other factors that do not cause acne but can worsen breakouts include:

• Smoking

• Stress

• Lack of sleep

• Eating certain foods

• Use of greasy skin care products or makeup

Effective Overnight Treatments for Pimples

Experts say it is not usually possible to get rid of a pimple overnight. However, there are several ways of treating pimples and fighting acne that can make breakouts less noticeable while they heal.

Over-The-Counter Treatments

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is available over-the-counter as a topical medicine and is also FDA-approved to treat acne breakouts. Benzoyl peroxide works by killing the bacteria that cause pimples. After benzoyl peroxide is converted to benzoic acid in the body, the benzoic acid also helps to unclog pores. It is a common ingredient in OTC acne spot treatments and is often considered a first-line treatment option for acne. 

The concentration of benzoyl peroxide in anti-acne products ranges from 2.5% to 10%. This medicine can have a drying effect on your skin, so it’s a good idea to start at a lower concentration and slowly increase the dose if you don’t get results. For ongoing or widespread breakouts, a gentle cleanser containing benzoyl peroxide may be effective. Check out Benzoyl Peroxide for Acne: Side Effects & Benefits.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid and is another common ingredient in OTC acne treatments. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce redness and swelling. Salicylic acid can also decrease oil production and slough off dead skin cells from clogged pores to treat pimples. 

You can find salicylic acid in many skincare and topical treatments for acne, including wipes, pads, cleansers, serums, and leave-on products. OTC acne products typically contain salicylic acid concentrations between 0.5% and 2%. This medicine can irritate your skin, so start with a lower concentration. 

OTC Steroid Cream

Over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream can be useful for inflamed pimples if you don’t have other anti-acne products on hand. Keep in mind that steroids should not be used on large areas of your face or used long-term as they can cause thinning of skin.

Other Over-the-Counter Treatments and Anti-Acne Ingredients

• Alpha hydroxy acids: AHAs such as glycolic acid and lactic acid can help to reduce inflammation and treat pimples. They are exfoliating agents that unclog pores by sloughing dead skin cells. 

• Azelaic acid: Studies have shown that application of 15%-20% azelaic acid gel on skin can reduce acne breakouts. This ingredient is gentle on sensitive skin.

• Hydrocolloid pimple patches: Hydrocolloid is a wound-healing gel that can absorb the gunk out of a zit. A pimple patch containing hydrocolloid gel may help pimples heal faster. Pimple patches also prevent you from popping or picking on zits. 

Home Remedies and Natural Solutions

Ice 

Applying ice to painful pimples can reduce swelling and inflammation. You can wrap an ice cube in a cloth and press it against inflamed skin for 3-4 minutes at a time several times throughout the day.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil obtained from a tree native to Australia. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. Diluted tea tree oil is a common natural remedy for acne. 

While tea tree oil will not get rid of a pimple overnight, it can calm redness, swelling, and inflammation. Some people find that tea tree oil works well to soothe acne without causing dry skin or skin irritation associated with acne-fighting ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. 

Dilute 1-2 drops of tea tree oil in 10-12 drops of water and swab the mixture on pimples 1-2 times a day as a spot treatment. Avoid using a carrier oil such as olive oil or coconut oil for dilution. 

Keep in mind that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate essential oils for purity or health claims. Check with your dermatologist before using tea tree oil to treat pimples. Choose a reputed brand. Do a patch test before using tea tree oil on your face.

Green Tea

Green tea cannot cure acne, but is a reasonable home remedy to try. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and may help with mild acne breakouts. 

Mix moistened green tea leaves with aloe vera gel and leave the mixture on acne-prone areas of your face for 10-20 minutes.

Prescription Treatments for Acne

Topical Retinoids

Retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A. Topical retinoids such as adapalene (Differin), tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A), and tazarotene (Avage, Tazorac) are considered the gold standard in acne treatment. They work by decreasing oil production, exfoliating skin, and increasing the rate of skin cell turnover. Learn more about Tretinoin Cream Uses & Side Effects.

Keep in mind that retinoids don’t work immediately and can cause redness, dry skin, sun sensitivity, and skin irritation. Start by applying the retinoid cream or gel on alternate days to give your skin time to get used to it. 

You can purchase adapalene (Differin) gel without a prescription at drug stores. A similar ingredient, retinol, is widely available in over-the-counter creams, serums, and cosmetics. It has a lower concentration than retinoids and may take longer to work, but it is usually less irritating to the skin. Retinol Vs. Tretinoin: What's The Difference?

Dapsone

Dapsone 5% gel is a prescription medicine used to treat acne. It works by keeping skin pores unclogged and killing acne-causing bacteria. Side effects of this topical medicine include dryness and redness.

Oral Medications for Acne

Your doctor may prescribe the following medications to take by mouth for moderate to severe acne:

• Oral antibiotics such as minocycline, doxycycline, and erythromycin.

• Combined oral contraceptives such as Yaz and Ortho Tri-Cyclen 21. 

• Anti-androgen drugs such as spironolactone (Aldactone).

• Isotretinoin (Claravis, Amnesteem).

Cortisone Injection 

The quickest way to get rid of a really bad pimple is to get a cortisone shot from your dermatologist. This puts steroid medicine straight into the pimple to reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling within 24 hours. Steroid injections are typically reserved for more severe types of acne.

Other Treatments for Acne

Your dermatologist may recommend the following therapies, either alone or with medications:

• Chemical peels with glycolic acid or salicylic acid

• Light therapy 

• Local cryotherapy

• Drainage and extraction of debris from a clogged pore

When to See a Dermatologist

You should see a dermatologist if you have severe acne or if you’ve tried over-the-counter acne treatments for several weeks, and they haven’t worked. The dermatologist may be able to offer solutions that you have not tried. Steroid injections or drainage and extraction are common, quick-acting solutions that may be options depending on the severity of the acne.      

The Role of Skin Care in Preventing Pimples

A good skincare routine can help to prevent and control mild to moderate acne. Here are some tips to keep your skin clear of breakouts.

Daily Skin Care Tips for Acne-Prone Skin

• Use a gentle cleanser: Wash your face twice a day with mild soap or a cleanser such as Cetaphil or Vanicream for clean skin. Avoid harsh products such as scrubs and astringents that can further irritate inflamed skin.

• Choose skin care products with anti-acne ingredients: Look for skin care products that contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, AHAs, or adapalene. It may take several weeks for you to see an improvement in acne breakouts. 

• Avoid greasy products: Avoid using greasy or oily sunscreens, cosmetics, and hairstyling products. Choose skin care products that are water-based or non-comedogenic.

• Use sun protection: Sun exposure can worsen redness caused by acne. Some anti-acne medicines can increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a non-greasy broad-spectrum sunscreen and avoid sun exposure as much as possible. 

• Avoid picking on pimples: Touching your pimples can worsen acne breakouts and lead to infection and acne scars. 

• Don’t apply pressure or friction: Acne-prone skin can become further irritated upon contact with tight collars, helmets, phones, and backpacks. 

• Practice good hygiene: Keep your skin clean. Shower after workouts to remove excess oil and sweat from your skin, which can trigger breakouts.

Diet and Lifestyle Adjustments

Certain dietary and lifestyle choices can worsen acne. To help control breakouts, make sure you:

• Manage stress with activities such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises

• Get enough good quality sleep every night

• Avoid or limit foods that may worsen acne, such as dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream) and high glycemic index foods (breads, cereals, pasta, and snack foods).

Common Myths and Questions about Pimples

Can toothpaste really remove pimples overnight?

Toothpaste is unlikely to remove pimples overnight. Rather, it may irritate your skin and cause skin discoloration or dark spots. 

Does popping pimples help them go away faster?

Popping, picking, probing, or poking pimples does not help them go away faster. Instead, it can cause more acne, delay healing, and increase your risk of scarring. 

How do you get pimples to go away overnight?

The best way to get pimples to go away overnight is to see a dermatologist. They may offer a steroid shot or drainage and extraction to treat a particularly bad pimple.

How to shrink a pimple with no head?

You may be able to shrink a pimple with no head by applying a warm compress, placing a pimple patch on it, or using over-the-counter topical acne treatments.

Does ice really remove pimples?

Ice does not remove pimples. However, it can relieve pimple pain and reduce redness and swelling.