Stop Squeezing Your Pimples - 7 Safe Ways to Get Rid of Pimples

It's everyone's worst nightmare. Waking up the day before a special event to discover a big, red pimple baring itself for all to see right on your face!

Here's how to get rid of it quickly and safely:

1. Don't ever pinch, squeeze or pick at a pimple. This only causes it to become more red and inflamed, and will spread the bacteria and oils that caused it in the first place, to other parts of your face! It can also lead to scars.

2. Every 30 minutes, apply an ice pack to the pimple and hold it there for about 2 minutes. This will decrease the swelling and redness and help shrink the inflammation and pain that sometimes comes along with it.

3. They don't call it concealer for nothing! Covering the pimple with a light dose of flesh-tinted concealer can help mask it when you're in a hurry. It also helps cover up that oily shine.

4. Cleanse your skin 2-3 times a day with mild, unscented soap or a specialized acne cleanser that has no harsh chemicals (such as lye). Scrub skin gently with an exfoliating pad or washcloth, but don't rub too hard, otherwise you'll sap your skin of its own natural oils, which help to repel buildup naturally.

5. Apply a cream or ointment containing benzyl peroxide or salicylic acid (many over-the-counter acne medicines contain these ingredients) to the blemish or around the entire facial area. Note that these ingredients both have a tendency to dry out skin if used too much and are not recommended if you have sensitive skin.

6. Wear oil-free makeup whenever possible. These types have less of a tendency to cause the pore buildup that results in blemishes. Remove your makeup nightly and cleanse with an acne-fighting medicine to remove dirt, oil and makeup from deep within the skin.

7. If you're in need of a quick fix, a dab of toothpaste on the affected area right before bed can help soothe irritation and reduce redness. Pressing and holding a wet tea bag or a cotton ball with a dab of lemon juice against the blemish for five minutes can also reduce swelling and redness.

If you follow these tips, chances are you'll notice a significant difference rather quickly ? often within a day or two. If pimples become a recurring problem or worsen, your doctor or dermatologist can suggest a daily skin cleansing routine that will suit your skin type. Other long-term remedies, such as facial masks, diet adjustments and increasing the amount of water you drink can also help combat outbreaks.

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.

Emily Clark is editor at Lifestyle Health News and Medical Health News where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.

In The News:


Three acne creams recalled
AAP News (subscription) - 32 minutes ago
by David Ma - Editorial Intern Potential danger of bacterial infection from certain acne creams has prompted CSI USA, Inc., to recall all lots of 1 ounce ...

Meet the Parents
New York Times, United States - 1 hour ago
I’ll bet they kind of thought he was, through the six expulsions, likely the flu and croup — acne and appendicitis maybe? Two years ago my daughter found ...

CaymanMama.com (press release)

New Jersey Jury Awards $12.9 Million to Three Patients Whose Use ...
MarketWatch - Nov 20, 2008
In another major courtroom verdict linking powerful acne medication Accutane with long-term inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an eight-person jury in ...
Roche ordered to pay $13M to users of acne drug International Herald Tribune
Roche drug litigation suit pays $13M to Accutane users CaymanMama.com (press release)
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AsiaOne

The pill isn't the best answer for acne
AsiaOne, Singapore - Nov 19, 2008
By Thidakarn Ratanabanangkoon, MP Q. Does the birth-control pill cure acne? My 13-year-old daughter is getting a lot of pimples. ...

Alternatives for People Usig Antibiotics for Skin Conditions
American Chronicle, CA - 2 hours ago
Nobody can question their significance in medicine world but in this article we will see how they could be the cause of aggravated acne and other skin ...

Business Wire (press release)

Arcutis Pharmaceuticals Announces FDA Approval of Acanya™ Gel for ...
Business Wire (press release), CA - Nov 20, 2008
Evaluated in clinical studies enrolling over 3200 subjects with moderate to severe acne, Acanya Gel is the only FDA-approved fixed combination antibiotic ...

Acne gel being recalled
Capital News 9, NY - Nov 17, 2008
DG Maximum Strength Acne Medicated Gel sold at Dollar General and the Equate Medicated Acne Gel sold at Wal-Mart are being pulled off the shelves. ...

The Money Times

CSI USA, Inc. Issues Voluntary National Recall of Topical Acne Cream
MarketWatch - Nov 13, 2008
No other acne medications sold by Dollar General, Kroger or Wal-Mart are affected by this recall. CSI USA, Inc. 170 Commerce Way Gallatin, TN 37066 Attn: ...
Various brands of acne creams are recalled The Money Times
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Medicated Acne Gel Recall: Sold at Wal-Mart, Kroger and Dollar General
AboutLawsuits.com - Nov 18, 2008
A recall has been issued for 1 ounce tubes of 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Cream, which were sold as “Kroger Acne Gel”, “DG Maximum Strength Acne Medicated ...

Benzoyl peroxide topical acne cream recalled
Prescribing Reference, New York - Nov 18, 2008
CSI, Inc. has issued a voluntary nationwide recall of all lots of 1oz (28g) tubes of 10% benzoyl peroxide acne cream because product samples were found to ...
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