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There are few things more satisfying than squeezing a pimple. We know, we know: it’s unhygienic, it can lead to scarring, and it sometimes results in infection. But still—it feels good! Unfortunately, treating acne isn’t just about getting rid of those pesky blemishes. It’s also about making sure the skin heals properly so you don’t end up with any lasting damage down the road. To help prevent that from happening, we’ve rounded up some ways that you can treat your pimples without popping them (or freezing them) below:
-Apply a warm compress to the affected area. This will help reduce inflammation, which may make the pimple less painful and easier to treat.
-Try a DIY spot treatment with lemon juice or tea tree oil. Both of these ingredients have antibacterial properties that can help unclog pores and prevent infection in acne.
Never pop a pimple.
Pimples are pesky, but popping them is the worst thing you can do. Picking at a pimple is like scratching an itch—it feels good in the moment, but after a few minutes you’re left with sore skin and red marks that take days or weeks to heal. And squeezing pimples only makes them worse: The bacteria inside them can get pushed deeper into your skin, spreading inflammation and causing new blemishes to form.
What’s more, popping whiteheads or blackheads will just irritate your skin and cause further breakouts. And though cysts are filled with sebum (the natural oil produced by our sebaceous glands), they’re less likely than other types of blemishes to resolve on their own without treatment (which may include extraction). If you’ve got one of these kinds of zits growing under the surface of your skin, it’s best not to risk making things worse by attempting extraction on your own—leave it up to a dermatologist who knows what they’re doing!
Ice the pimple.
To reduce inflammation, swelling and pain. If a pimple is inflamed (read: red and warm), ice it down. This will reduce the risk of scarring, discoloration and pustules by reducing the amount of time the area stays inflamed.
The best way to ice a pimple is with an ice cube or a frozen washcloth. Apply for about 10 minutes every two hours or so until you feel relief from your symptoms—then follow up with some moisturizer to lock in that cooling sensation!
Apply tea tree oil.
Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and antimicrobial agent that can be used for a variety of skin conditions. As an acne treatment, tea tree oil has been shown to kill bacteria that cause breakouts and scars. In addition, it helps to speed up the healing process by promoting cell regeneration. You can use diluted tea tree oil as a spot treatment on your pimples or cysts and acne scars to help reduce redness, swelling, and inflammation and prevent infection.
Here’s how:
- First wash your face with warm water to remove any dirt or makeup from your skin. Then pat it dry with a clean towel so you don’t irritate the area further with excess moisture while applying tea tree oil—you want everything clean so there’s no chance of introducing new bacteria into the mix!
- Next take some of the diluted solution in one hand (a couple drops) and apply directly on top of each pimple/cyst using either cotton swabs or Q-tips if necessary; avoid getting any solution into surrounding areas as this could cause irritation/inflammation elsewhere instead.
Dab on some apple cider vinegar.
For a natural, inexpensive way to treat pimples, try dabbing on some apple cider vinegar (ACV). ACV is made from fermented apples and contains acetic acid. Acetic acid can be used as an antiseptic for acne, dandruff, heat rash and shaving rash.
To use: Dab a cotton ball soaked in apple cider vinegar over the area with pimples or blackheads several times a day.
Spot treat with a salicylic acid cleanser.
Salicylic acid is an ingredient in many acne treatments and also a chemical exfoliant that helps clear pores. It’s a beta hydroxy acid, or BHA, which means it works on the surface of skin to unclog pores and remove excess oil. This can be particularly helpful if you’re dealing with pimples that are inflamed, because salicylic acid penetrates deeper into your skin than other kinds of acids do.
Salicylic acid comes in a few different forms: as a cream or lotion (like this one), as pads (like these), and as an exfoliating cleanser (like this). Make sure you find one that has at least 2 percent salicylic acid to see results!
Soak up excess oil with clay.
Clay masks are a great way to reduce oil production and draw out impurities. While clay masks can be a little messy, they’re easy to make at home or purchase at your local health food store. Clay masks are best for people with oily skin.
If you want bigger pores and smaller breakouts, try a clay mask!
Treat acne scars with vitamin C.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps to lighten the skin and treat the scars left by acne. This vitamin also helps to promote collagen production, which can help your skin look younger and more vibrant. Vitamin C can be applied topically in the form of a serum or cream. Make sure to use these products during the daytime so they work on your skin while you are awake and active! You may have heard that some people use lemon juice (which contains vitamin C) on their face as an alternative treatment for pimples, but this method has been shown to actually cause sunburns and blistering in some people who try it out.
Treat your pimples by not popping them, icing them, and using tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, and salicylic acid to further treat them
Treat your pimples by not popping them, icing them, and using tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, and salicylic acid to further treat them.
Do not pop your pimples! This is the worst thing you can do because it can lead to scarring and more serious infections. Instead of popping your pimple use ice cubes on it for 15 minutes every few hours (make sure the ice is completely melted before applying). This will help reduce inflammation and redness in that area. Tea tree oil has antibacterial properties that work well in reducing acne breakouts by killing off the bacteria that causes acne! You can use a cotton pad or finger tip at night before bedtime after cleansing your face with toner or astringent if desired for extra soothing benefits as well; however If you are using tea tree oil directly onto fresh wounds please make sure they are clean first since this could cause irritation because it may irritate open wounds if there isn’t enough moisture left over from washing beforehand.) Apple cider vinegar also works wonders when applied directly onto skin without being diluted beforehand – just make sure you aren’t sensitive/allergic before trying out this method though since some people experience irritation after prolonged exposure due to sensitive skin types 🙂 Lastly try adding salicylic acid into your skincare routine if needed since these acids help prevent excess sebum production that creates comedones aka blackheads/whiteheads which then turn into blemishes once they’re ready for extraction.”
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a more natural way to treat your acne, we recommend trying out these tips. They are easy to follow and will help you take better care of your skin in the long run. And remember: if all else fails, go see a dermatologist!
