Friday, January 10, 2014

Don't you hate when you wake up in the morning and see a gigantic pimple has sprung to life seemingly overnight, usually on the day you have an important work meeting or an even more important date? While it may seem like the pimple came out of nowhere, that's not the case. "Acne is a function of how your skin cycles," says Lance H. Brown, MD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine. "Healthy skin sloughs off every three months. When this doesn't happen properly, your pores become clogged and the oil feeds off the bacteria, creating white heads, blackheads, and pimples."

Follow these dos and don'ts when you want to get rid of pimples.

Don't wash too much. Washing your face in the morning and the evening is sufficient to remove acne-causing bacteria. More than that and you risk stripping your skin of its natural, and helpful, oils, which will only cause more redness and irritation.

Don't pick a pimple at home. Squeezing can lead to an infection if it's not done correctly. You should never pick a cystic pimple (the hard kind under your skin).

If you can't resist the urge, very, very gently, squeeze it yourself. Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water to remove bacteria and germs first, then use a tissue and squeeze the white head until it bursts, and then stop immediately. Extra squeezing can damage skin, spread infection, and leave a mark. Finish with a light application of an anti-bacterial cream, like Neosporin.

Do chose a product with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. You'll find benzoyl peroxide products in strengths from 2.5 to 10 percent. Start with the lowest strength product to give your skin a chance to get used to the effects. The product will unclog dirty pores and dry up the pimples with continued use. You should always apply it according to the directions on the label. Your skin could become dry and red, so you may have to use it less often.

Salicylic acid is an ingredient that helps speed the rate of your skin cell turnover preventing your pores from clogging and causing breakouts. It also penetrates into whiteheads and blackheads and actually dissolves them. You can buy a product ranging from 0.5 to 2 percent over the counter. Start with a low strength until you know how your skin will react. If your skin gets really dry and flaky, use the product less often until your skin gets used to it.

Don't overtreat. While benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and retinol products are proven acne fighters, when overused, they can cause your skin to dry out. This will cause more irritation and make your breakouts worse.

Do wear sunscreen. Sunscreen is absolutely not a cause of acne and actually sun exposure can cause acne scars to get darker, making them harder to get rid of. On top of that, some acne medications make skin more photosensitive — meaning you'll burn more easily.

Don't underestimate the effectiveness of makeup. When all else fails, try covering the pimple with concealer. Jessica Wu, MD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California and a dermatologist in Los Angeles, suggests reducing redness first by applying a cool washcloth. Then, she says, apply a primer or moisturizer followed by a stick concealer that matches your skin tone. "Dab on the cover-up with your fourth finger, which has the softest skin," she says. "A warm finger helps the concealer melt into your skin better than a brush. Dab a bit at a time, let it set, and add more layers until the pimple is hidden." She recommends finishing the process by applying a powder to set the makeup.