The Dos and Don'ts of Treating an Unsightly Pimple

Nothing can ruin a day like an unsightly blemish. It may sound like a cliché from a Neutrogena advertisement, but pimples always seem to pop up just before a big job interview, date, or other important social event. There are numerous ways to treat acne, and the options advertised can seem incredibly overwhelming. Here are some dos and don'ts of getting rid of an unattractive zit.

Do Treat at the First Sign

The best time to treat a pimple is as soon as you see it emerging. The newer the blemish, the easier it is to eradiate it. A best kept secret trick is ice - once the pimple has fully formed it is a useless method, but when it is brand new this will work like a charm. After washing your face with a mild cleanser (I recommend Basis), gently press a cube of ice on the newly forming blemish, holding it firmly for about thirty seconds. Dab dry with a clean white towel, and then apply treatment or moisturizer as usual.

Don't Ever - Ever - Manually Remove a Blemish

I am often horrified when legitimate monthly publications actually walk people through the steps of manually removing a pimple. As a salon and spa critic, I have had facials with estheticians of all styles and methods. Still, they all share the same sentiment when it comes to "popping" a pimple - just say no. First of all, there is no such thing as popping when it comes to pimples; what an esthetician does is called an extraction. Estheticians are specially trained in the treatment of acne, and know how to physically extract the pus from a blemish without causing permanent scarring. Since you wouldn't attempt to perform dermatological surgery on yourself, never attempt to perform manual extractions on yourself. Leave that to the professionals.

Do Be Picky About Your Products

There are hundred of products that claim to treat acne on the market, from drugstores to department stores to infomercials. The silly thing is that regardless of a product's price or marketing, all that really matters is its ingredients. Many people are foolishly paying whopping amounts for products that have the exact same ingredients as their cheaper counterparts. When spot treating a blemish, the most effective ingredient is benzoyl peroxide, which acts as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial treatment. While many spot treatments boast high 10% benzoyl peroxide concentrations, your best bet is to go with a 2.5% percent concentration (Neutrogena has a great inexpensive one). In the same way that anything higher than a 45 in SPFs is ineffective, anything higher than a 2.5% in benzoyl peroxide treatments is not only not any more effective, it can also be very drying and damaging.

Don't Be Afraid to Conceal

Male or female, don't be afraid to use a little concealer on an unsightly pimple. Many people think that applying makeup to a blemish will worsen it or prevent it from healing, but as long as you are using oil free products, the area shouldn't worsen. Furthermore, brands like Neutrogena and Clean'n'Clear make fantastic concealers that not only act as a cover-up, but actually treat the blemish with an added boost of benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Or, you could try a mineral based concealer from Bare Escentuals or L'Oreal, which will glide on light as air and not clog pores. Ultimately, you should never be afraid to conceal as long as you're using skin friendly products. Because really, just because you know your blemish is there doesn't mean the entire world has to.