You’re really excited about that date. You’ve been looking forward to it for weeks. You’ve planned every single detail, from what outfit you will be wearing down to the things that you will be talking about. Then just a few days before the big event, the most dreadful thing happens: your skin breaks out. Now all your thoughts about your upcoming date have been replaced by worries on how to get rid of acne fast.
Even if it is just one tiny pimple, the millions of acne sufferers around the world can attest to the fact that even the smallest red bump can negatively affect the way you feel about how you look. And not having enough confidence in yourself, especially on a very important date, can ruin the whole occasion for you entirely.
But don’t cancel that date just yet! There is still hope for you and your skin breakout. Here are some ways on how to get rid of acne fast:
- A very popular home remedy for acne is good old toothpaste. Toothpaste quickly dries up acne without irritating the skin. To use toothpaste as an acne remedy, just dab a tiny amount directly onto the acne marks. Be careful not to get any toothpaste onto the surrounding skin. Do this at night, right before you go to sleep. By the time you wake up the next morning, your acne would have shrunken in size or would even have completely disappeared.
- If you still have a week or a few days before your date, then you might want to use more natural ways of how to get rid of acne fast. This includes changing your diet to include more fruits and vegetables. These types of foods are rich in acne-fighting vitamins such as Vitamin A (balances hormones), C (boosts your immune system), and E (helps repair the skin). Other natural methods are to lessen the stress in your life (stress – a major cause of acne), keeping your face and anything that touches your face clean, and avoiding sweets and other junk food that can trigger acne. Apply these diet and lifestyle changes a few days before your date and your skin will clear up soon enough.
- Over-the-counter acne treatments are also a popular method of how to get rid of acne fast. There are many overnight pimple cures, spot treatments, and acne clearing remedies that are available to you. Before choosing an acne treatment, you have to determine first the severity of your acne. Mild acne, moderate acne, and severe acne all have different treatments. Choose an acne treatment that is appropriate for your type of acne.
- If worse comes to worse and you have run out of ways on how to get rid of acne fast, then you can go for the last resort: make up. Even if you will just be covering up your acne, it is still important that you choose makeup that is the right match for your skin type. Mineral and water-based types of makeup are best for acne prone skin and will not aggravate acne.
The problem with having acne is that it is the first thing that people will see. It really doesn’t matter if you have the most beautiful eyes, highly proportioned face or ruby red lips. People you have just met will refer to you as that girl or that boy with a colony of zits on the face. Furthermore, acne, especially the very big ones, leaves pockmarks and scars that can be permanent.
If you have acne, however, you don’t have to fret and hide in the corner. Nowadays, you have a wide variety of acne medications to choose from. Moreover, you can surely find an acne medication regardless of the type and severity of your acne.
Here is the list of the type of acne medications that is available on the market today:
Topical Acne Medications
Visit your local drug store, or even convenience store, and you will find a wide array of creams, gels, lotions, and other topical treatments for acne. These over-the-counter acne medications are usually for mild to moderate types of acne.
The common active ingredients that topical acne medications contain are sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, resorcinol or lactic acid. If you find that these medications do not work on your acne, it is time for you to visit a doctor, preferable a skin or acne specialist, so that you will be given prescription for a stronger type of topical acne medication.
Adapalene and Tretinoin are some of the active ingredients of the more potent topical creams. These two chemicals are derived from Vitamin A. These types of topical lotions or creams usually work by preventing hair follicles from clogging, which is the main reason for the development of acne, and hastening of cell regeneration.
If your acne is severe, your doctor might prescribe the use of topical antibiotics. These medications are aimed at killing or eliminating skin bacteria. Usually, topical antibiotics are used in conjunction with other acne medications.
Antibiotics
Acne problems that are severe usually need the help of oral antibiotics to help fight off the bacteria that are causing the breakout and ease the inflammation. You should never take oral or topical antibiotics without prescription. Usually, oral antibiotics are taken for weeks or months.
Oral Contraceptives
Women who have acne can take advantage of oral contraceptives to improve their acne condition. Usually contraceptives that contain ethinyl estradiol and neogestimate are the ones that are effective pimple fighters. However, since oral contraceptives might have side effects, you need to consult first with your doctor before taking such medications.
Isotretinoin
For the type of cysts and nodules that antibiotics cannot reach, isotretinoin may be the answer. This is a strong medication that is a last resort treatment for stubborn acne. A lot of people have confirmed the effectiveness of this type of treatment for hard-to-treat acne.
However, it also might have potential side effects. Thus, dermatologists usually closely monitor people who are using this type of acne medication. Some of the adverse effects of isotretinoin are birth defects, triglycerides increase and reproduction problems.
Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery is actually more useful in removing or reducing the appearance of the scars or craters from acne infections. Usually, the procedure called dermabrasion is used for the removal of scars on the face. This works by peeling off the top layer of the skin by use of chemicals and equipment.
Whatever type of acne medication you use, it is wise to consult a doctor first so that your treatment will be monitored. Furthermore, it is still best to know what is the underlying cause of your acne breakouts so that you can handle the situation right at its roots.
Every adult on the face of the planet has experienced some kind of acne at least once in his or her lifetime. Blackheads, whiteheads and small pimples are examples of mild to moderate acne problems, while acne vulgaris, acne fulminas and acne rosacea are moderate to severe types of acne.
If you are suffering from mild to moderate acne breakouts, you really do not have to worry too much because there are loads of topical creams, gels and ointments that are available on the market to help you with your problem. However, it is advisable that you choose your acne treatments carefully.
If your zit is not really big and swollen, it is still best to reach out for natural-based topical ointments. Since they are natural, you can be assured that they will be safer to use and more gentle on your skin. Reserve the use of chemical-based acne medication for pimples and zits that are large and full of pus.
Here Are Some Of The Natural Acne Treatments:
Tea Tree Oil
This oil is from the Melaleuca alternifoliais tree, usually found in Australia. This is ingredient commonly used for acne treatments because it contains a substance called Terpenes, which has strong antibacterial properties so it is effective in fighting off pimple-causing bacteria.
Zinc
When you have an infection, it is always best to keep your immune system strong. One way to do this is to take a supplement that is known to boost immunity. Studies have shown that zinc helps not only in repairing skin, but is also one of the best immune-boosters there is.
Aloe Vera
The gel from the Aloe Vera plant has been used for generations to cure various diseases and illnesses, including acne. The Aloe Vera plant contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. You can opt to use a topical Aloe Vera Gel or you can drink Aloe Vera juice to help clean up your intestines of toxins that may be the root of your acne problems.
Vitamin E
Many know that Vitamin E has anti-aging properties. However, only few know that Vitamin E is also effective in helping cure and prevent acne. Furthermore, Vitamin E is an antioxidant that also promotes healthy and supple skin because it aids in repairing damaged tissue.
Vitamin A
Aside from helping promote good eyesight, Vitamin A is also essential in maintaining a clean and breakout-free skin. You need to include this vitamin in your everyday supplementation because it gives you so much more than acne-free skin.
Kitchen Staples That Can Be Used As Acne Treatment And Prevention
There are many vegetables and fruits that can be used as a home acne treatment. Below is a list of fruits and vegetables and how to prepare your anti-acne home solution.
Orange
This citrus fruit contains vitamins and natural chemicals that are known to help fight acne. All you have to do is get an orange peel, and pound it using a mortar and pestle. Add some water so the orange peel will not be dry. Then, apply the peel on the area where you have problems.
Cucumber
Cucumber has tonic properties so it is believed to be effective in preventing mild acne breakouts. Just apply grated cucumber over your neck, eyes, and face. After a few weeks you will notice that you have less blackheads and pimples.
Garlic
This herb is a potent all-around cure that has been used for centuries. It has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral qualities. Just gently rub a clove of raw garlic on the affected area. If you have severe acne problems, you can also include more garlic on your food so that you can also ingest its benefits.
