We all remember standing in front of the mirror, frustrated with those pesky pimples popping up on our face. Teenage years were spent trying to hide acne, praying for smooth, clear skin in adulthood. While they’re more likely to occur during the pubescent ages of one’s life, they may crop up during one’s later years too. And this time, let’s get rid of them for good. To answer the question of how to prevent pimples one has to boil down to the root cause and the intensity of the problem.
Commonly formed on the face and back, pimples are inflammations caused by over-excretion of sebum and the clogging of skin pores. The severity of the condition varies from person to person and is dependent on factors like genetics, type of skin, diet, etc.
So how do we prevent and cure pimples? What are some great pimples tips? Some may apply home remedies to remove pimples, while others may require clinical treatments. The primary thing one can do is to take preventative measures to reduce the chances of an eruption. Hence, the following are some tips to remove pimples.
How To Remove Pimples?
Let’s start with some basic pimples tips that should be followed as a rule of thumb. Since the chief focus should be on how to avoid pimples, we recommend the simple step of ensuring your face is cleaned every other hour of the day. Deep-cleansing the face can go a long way in preventing eruptions. Microparticles of dirt are the biggest triggers for pimples. Although, one must do this while making sure that the face doesn’t become dry due to over-washing. One should also exfoliate the skin regularly to clean out pores and keep the skin healthy.
Pimples should also not be touched and fiddled with. On average a person touches their face 23 times an hour. Our hands are carriers of germs and dirt and we are at risk of infecting pimples further through contact. There has also been a sudden fad of watching pimple-popping videos on social media, but it is not wise to follow the trend, as it is not recommended to pop or squeeze pimples. When one pops a pimple, the infection can be transferred to neighbouring pores or can push the blockage deeper, aggravating the problem or even resulting in scars.
When we think about how to get rid of pimples, home remedies for pimples may be the best route to take. For people without acute acne, home remedies for pimples on the face are particularly helpful because they reduce the use of chemicals and thus the risk of scarring a sensitive area. Let us discuss quick tips on how to reduce pimples.
5 Effective Home Remedies For Pimples
1. Regulating The Diet
While answering the question of how to prevent pimples naturally at home, the first and foremost answer is to maintain a clean and healthy diet. Our diet has a profound effect on the health of our skin. Refined sugars and processed foods are common triggers for pimple eruptions. Studies have also shown that dairy stimulates the production of a serum called IGF-1 (Insulin-like growth factor-1) in the body. This serum causes the face to break out. Reducing dairy, and other unhealthy food items is a long-term pimple treatment and the best solution to having clean and glowing skin.
2. Lemon Juice
The citric acid in lemons is an antimicrobial agent that helps to flush out bacteria from the pores. Take a cotton swab and dip it in lemon and apply it to the affected areas to reduce the inflammation. Although pure lemon juice can be a bit harsh on the skin, so it can be diluted with rose water or honey, depending on one’s skin type. Additionally, you can also use this multani mitti face pack to get rid of pimples.
3. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera contains a compound called saponin that is anti-bacterial in nature, making it one of the best pimple treatments at home. It would be ideal to grow an aloe vera plant at home for easy and unlimited access. It is as easy as chopping off one of the leaves, carefully cutting the thorns on either side and splitting it open. You can then scrape off the gel and apply it directly to the skin. The other alternative would be to purchase aloe vera gel meant for exterior application
4. Turmeric
Over the ages, turmeric has proven to be readily available and an inexpensive home remedy for pimple. Although it has been a popular healing agent in India for centuries, it has garnered a lot of interest internationally in recent times for its antiseptic properties, You can mix half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with 2 teaspoons of either yoghurt or water to make it a paste, and then apply it on the affected area. This should be repeated 3-4 times a week for the best results.
5. Green Tea
The application of green tea has been another easy and effective way to practice pimple treatment at home. It contains antioxidants and polyphenols that reduce inflammation and the production of IGF-1, making its application a much-valued tip to remove pimples. All you have to do is soak a bag of green tea in warm water for 2-3 minutes. After you let the bag cool, cut it open and take out the leaves. These leaves can be mixed with a variety of different things like honey, apple cider vinegar, or aloe vera before you apply it on your face. Make sure your face is washed and clean before you apply it.
How To Get Rid Of Pimples Instantly?
Often pimples seem like those pesky little siblings that you just can’t wait to get rid of. They have an uncanny ability to show up at the most opportune moments and insist on accompanying you to parties, and photobombing you in pictures. So how to get rid of a pimple in an hour when your crush finally asks you out on a date? It should be noted that when we think of how to clear pimples, we should be looking for long-term solutions. The following tips aren’t long-term solutions and should only be used for spot treatment and on small areas for emergency purposes.
How To Get Rid Of A Pimple In An Hour?
1. Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide ointments are readily available over the counter at medical stores. These creams help to dry out the skin and flatten the inflamed area. Eventually, the upper layer of the skin peels off and fresh skin grows in place of it. You should apply it on a small area first to make sure that there is no allergic reaction to the compound.
2. Icing The Inflamed Area
The simplest and fastest answer to the important question of how to remove pimples from the face immediately is to ice the inflamed area. Make sure to wrap the ice in a clean muslin or cotton cloth and apply for 5-10 minutes on the pimple. You will see an instant but temporary subsidisation in the inflammation, and this also helps reduce the pain if you are experiencing any in the affected area.
3. Baking Soda
Baking Soda is another magical answer to how to cure pimples instantly. The alkalinity of baking soda makes it a good drying agent for the skin. Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with one ounce of water to make a paste and let it sit on the affected area for 20 minutes. Wash it out thoroughly after this and apply moisturiser generously as the skin may become a little dry.
How To Get Rid Of A Pimple Overnight?
Sometimes we may have a little over an hour to worry about how to get rid of pimples. The best pimple treatments are those done overnight as you can just let your skin rest and take its time heal through completely. So here’s how to get rid of pimples in one day or how to get rid of pimples overnight.
1. Pimple Reducing Ointments
You probably do not want to roam around during the day with a dollop of pimple cream on your face. Therefore, these ointments are ideal to remove pimples overnight. There are plenty of medicines for pimples on face that are sold in cosmetics and drug stores. These ointments usually contain Glycolic or Hyaluronic acid that are strong enough to clean out the infection from the face overnight while keeping the skin hydrated and moisturised. Some popular ointments are:
- Himalaya Herbals Acne-n-pimple cream – Rs. 150 / 20gm
- Avene Triacneal cream – Rs. 1600 / 30ml
- Peter Thomas Roth Acne Spot and Area Treatment – 1600 / 15ml
2. Potato Juice And Cinnamon Powder
Since you are exposing your skin to the treatment for a few hours at a time, natural ingredients are highly recommended. The enzymes in potatoes are not only great for battling pimples but are particularly effective in dealing with scarring and dark spots. Take half a potato, grate it, and strain the juice. Add a pinch of cinnamon to the juice and apply it over the infected area and leave overnight.
3. Papaya Juice
Another all natural pimple on face treatment is papaya juice. Papaya has skin lightening and exfoliating properties that subside pimples and help with scarring when applied overnight. Just take a small slice of papaya and grate it. Scrub the face with the grated chunks to exfoliate, and pat the extra juice on your face and leave it overnight.
Since, acne breakout and pimples are common issues faced especially in summers, the mentioned home remedies along with these summer skin care tips can help you maintain clear glowing skin.
Clinical Treatments For Pimples
Sometimes despite our best pimple treatment efforts, acne is unavoidable. Cystic acne may occur due to various reasons like genetics and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). In such cases, the best pimple treatments, and perhaps the only viable options are clinical procedures. When it comes to pimples on face treatments, one must research and consult a medical expert before deciding to proceed with a facial chemical procedure.
How To Remove Pimples Clinically?
1. Chemical Peel
If you’re wondering how to get rid of pimple scars, this is one of the better procedures. Under this, a dermatologist applies a diluted chemical solution to your face. The acid in use is usually salicylic acid or retinoic acid. This helps to remove a layer of dead skin that helps to unclog pores, after which new skin is regenerated in its place. This requires repeated sittings and side effects may include redness and skin crusting.
Cost: Rs. 1500-2500 / session
2. Blue Light Therapy
A frequently asked question is – how do you remove pimples through light? This is possible because of the ability of blue light wavelengths to kill certain bacteria. The skin is exposed to such light to reduce inflammation and redness. In each 15-30 minute session, a light-emitting device is applied to the affected area in a circular pattern. Side effects may include mild skin peeling.
Cost: Rs. 3000-4000 / session
3. Topical Retinoids
If you seek answers from a dermatologist on how to remove pimples, they are most likely to prescribe you these classes of ointments. These are a set of prescription-only drugs that reduce inflammation. This is an effective medicine for pimples on face. Side effects may include skin irritation and redness.
Cost: Rs. 500-2000 depending on brand and consultation
Following are some easy lifestyle changes you can incorporate to your daily routine if you are looking for pimples on face removal tips for the long-term.
- Drink plenty of water. Water helps to flush out impurities from our body. A healthy body is the key to flawless skin.
- Maintain a balanced diet. A well-balanced diet, reducing junk food, and consuming fruits and green vegetables is the answer to how you can remove pimples from the face permanently.
- A good workout can also help you sweat out impurities and bring out the glow on your face.
- On average human bodies require at least 7 hours of sleep. Maintaining your circadian rhythm helps to regulate hormones and thus prevents breakouts.
- We often stress ourselves into ill health. Embracing our body’s imperfections will allow the rise of happy hormones while reducing stress hormones that steal us away from optimum health and beauty.