5 Home Remedies For Pimples

How To Get Rid Of Pimples Fast

Pimples are a common problem that people of all ages can face. When someone has a breakout, they may want to know how to get rid of their pimples fast.

If you're looking for a strategy to make an acne flare-up calm down this second, we've got you. We talked to top acne specialist to find out exactly what to do when acne strikes and you're in a major hurry to get rid of it.

Here are 5 remedies that have been proven to get rid of pimples fast.

1. Dab on a little tea tree oil

Tea tree oil clears up all sorts of skin stuff — like insect bites, athlete's foot, and minor burns — and it can help zap acne, too.

Just dab some on a cotton swab and apply it directly to the pimple. "Dilute it at first, because some people are too sensitive to use it straight up," Dr. Bowe cautions.

2. Don’t Forget to Moisturize

Moisturizing may help improve the appearance of acne. Opt for a light moisturizer that is non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores which could possibly cause further breakouts. Products containing ceramides are a good choice as these add moisture and improve the skin’s protective barrier. It’s a particularly good idea to moisturize after a shower or washing your face.

3. Don’t overdry the affected area.

It’s not the chemical you use; it’s the amount you use, says Neal Schultz, M.D., a Manhattan derm. “People think if a little salicylic or glycolic acid is good, more is better," he says. "It gets to the point that the active ingredient irritates the skin, making it scaly and flaky and red.” To prevent irritation, try a lower concentration of the active ingredient once you’ve already broken out. Zeichner recommends checking your label for a concentration of benzoyl peroxide around 2.5%.

4. Get an Cortisone Injection

For those incredibly deep, painful zits and cystic breakouts that don't want to heal, a cortisone injection may be an option for you. During this quick procedure, a diluted cortisone is injected into the blemish.

Within just a few hours, the swelling will recede and the pain will go away. The breakout completely flattens out within 48 hours generally.

Large, deep blemishes usually don't respond well to other treatments, so if you absolutely need that breakout gone quickly a cortisone shot is your best bet. Ideally, you'll want to talk to your doctor about this option before you really need one.

5. Try a spot treatment or pimple patch

You've probably seen these emergency pimple treatments at the drugstore — usually an extra-strong solution of salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or benzoyl peroxide. And yep, they can actually get rid of pimples overnight.

"Spot treatments can definitely be effective — they help to reduce inflammation and dry up the pimple," says Dr. Robin Evans, a dermatologist at SoCo Dermatology in Connecticut.

Pimple patches are also great for whiteheads: they're made out of hydrocolloid, which absorbs and sucks out the fluid in your pimple.