Toothpaste is often thought of as an inexpensive spot treatment for blemishes. The idea may be linked to ingredients in many brands of toothpaste that kill bacteria in the mouth, but that doesn't make them the right product for treating acne-causing bacteria.
Does putting toothpaste on a pimple make it go away? You may have heard this suggestion, but experts on acne say don't try it. Toothpaste could make that spot on your skin even more red, irritated, and noticeable.
'Toothpaste works by drying out pimples and reducing redness. It does this mainly through the anti-inflammatory action of triclosan and the drying effects of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and alcohol.
Dabbing a little bit of classic Colgate on the pimple and leaving it to dry overnight will help to dry it up and reduce the swelling around it. Remember to moisturise your skin in the morning though! Colgate can also help to clear any dark spots you might have.
Bottom line, there are a few ingredients in toothpaste that can be effective in fighting acne on their own — but it also contains harsh ingredients that can irritate your skin and make your pimple even redder and angrier.
Applying a warm compress can help to treat a blind pimple. The heat can open up pores, which may draw the pimple closer to the skin's surface and create a head. The formation of a head enables the sebum, cells, and bacteria to exit the skin.
Benzoyl peroxide is usually available as a cream or gel. It's used either once or twice a day. It should be applied 20 minutes after washing to all of the parts of your face affected by acne.
Benefits. While ice alone may not cure a pimple, it can decrease swelling and redness, making the pimple less noticeable. Ice also has a numbing effect, which can offer temporary pain relief for severely inflamed pimples.
Ingredients to look out for: Benzoyl peroxide to kill acne-causing bacteria. Salicylic acid to help exfoliate and unclog pores. Retinoids to help boost cell turnover, prompting cells to shed and preventing them from clogging.
Some people leave the toothpaste on overnight, but if you have sensitive skin this prolonged exposure could cause irritation. Be conservative in order to minimise the risks of damaging your skin. When you wash it off, use warm water and a gentle circular motion.
Pimples usually last between three and seven days. Most pimples go away on their own, but it may take some time. Deep pimples (pimples under your skin with no head that may feel hard to the touch) may take a few weeks to go away, if not longer.
When the breakouts or flare-ups stop, you get rid of what's causing the hyperpigmentation. Most dark spots will then fade on their own over time, but it may take a long time. Skin injury: As the wound heals, you may see a dark spot or patch. In time, the hyperpigmentation will fade if you don't re-injure your skin.
Grab an ice pack, or a single ice cube if your fingers can bare it, and apply it directly onto your pimple. Hold it this way for as long as you can stand it, then take a break for a few seconds, and repeat at least twice more.
The best way to make a zit go away fast is to apply a dab of benzoyl peroxide, which you can buy at a drug store in cream, gel or patch form, says dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD. It works by killing bacteria that clog pores and cause inflammation.
