Acne is most common during the teenage years, but it can actually show up at any age. Heredity, diet, stress and hormones are some of the causes associated with acne flare-ups and breakouts. You can use simple home remedies to decrease the size of the blemish within three days.
Step 1
Cleanse your hands and gently open the top of the pimple's head. Do not continue if a great amount of squeezing and picking is required. The head of the pimple should easily open. Push the developed pus out of the blemish and wipe with a clean damp tissue. Apply a small amount of benzoyl peroxide to the area for cleansing using a cotton ball.
Step 2
Dry out the pimple by adding a baking soda paste to the area. Mix together a small amount of baking soda and water. Apply using a cotton swab. Allow to dry for several hours or overnight. Repeat daily to remove all excess oil and pus.
Step 3
Use over-the-counter gels and ointments containing benzoyl peroxide to continue drying the area and stop the spread of further infection. According to Mothernature.com, the amount of benzoyl peroxide in the topical ointment can vary between 2.5 and 10 percent---the amount of peroxide in the ointment does not correlate to the success of treatment. Both low and high percentages have shown positive results.
Step 4
Steam your face to open clogged pores. Boil a pot of water on the stove. Place the pan on a towel or coaster and set on the table. Hold your face over the steaming water. Cover your head with a towel. Allow the water vapors to penetrate you face. Steam your face for about ten minutes. Follow up by cleansing your skin.
Tips and Warnings
- Sleep, diet and a well-managed skin care routine can often deter acne flare-ups. See a dermatologist if acne persists. Moderate and severe forms of acne can cause permanent tissue and skin damage.
- Do not pick at a pimple unless a well-developed yellow pus head has formed. Squeezing whiteheads, blackheads or other blemishes that have no pus head can damage the pore and cause further inflammation and infection.
Things You'll Need
- Tissue
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Cotton ball
- Baking soda
- Cotton Swab
- Pan
- Towel
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