If a monster pimple has reared its ugly head overnight, you don't have to grin and bear it. Here, find out how to shrink that pimple pronto.
Q: I’m going to a reunion in a couple of weeks and I’m really stressed. What if I get a huge pimple the day before I have to see everyone?
A: Stress and/or hormone fluctuations can make your skin produce more oil, leading to clogged pores and a big breakout, even if you take good care of your complexion. When a patient is able to come to my office, here’s what I do to get rid of a monster eruption:
If there's a whitehead, I use a sharp, sterile blade to safely open it. Then I use an instrument called a comedone extractor to gently drain the pus and oil from the pimple. This relieves the pressure and pain and helps the skin heal faster.
If there's a tender, "underground" lump, it's probably a cyst, which I dissolve by injecting a tiny drop of diluted cortisone solution. The cortisone reduces the inflammation in the skin the way a cortisone shot into a swollen knee reduces the redness and swelling. This usually works within a day but must be done carefully, by a doctor who's experienced in injecting pimples; otherwise it can leave a dent in your skin that can last for up to a year.
Can't make it to the doctor's office? Apply a cold washcloth and try dabbing Visine on the area to help reduce the swelling and redness. Avoid hot compresses, which will make a cyst larger and redder. If you're tempted to squeeze the blemish yourself, be gentle, and stop if nothing comes out after the first try. Squeezing too hard can push the pus deeper, creating a large boil and/or leaving a scab, which, besides being hard to hide, can result in a scar.
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