Zits, or acne pimples or blemishes, are bacterial infections of the skin. They can occur anywhere on the body, but most commonly appear on the face, neck, shoulders, back and chest. When popping the pus-filled center of a zit, you may damage or break the surrounding skin. This can lead to cuts and scars. While you should avoid the temptation of popping a zit, there are ways to quickly heal a popped blemish.
Wash your hands. Use soap and warm water before touching your face.
Wrap a piece of ice in a thin washcloth or paper towel and apply it to the zit for 10 minutes, twice a day. This can help reduce inflammation.
Use a gentle facial scrub, which can be purchased at the drug store. Wash your face twice a day to help prevent the buildup of dirt, oil, makeup and bacteria in open pimples on your face.
Apply an antibiotic ointment to popped zits after washing your face. Apply a thin layer twice a day. Allow your skin to fully absorb the antibiotic ointment. This can help prevent infection in a popped zit as well as promote the healing of damaged skin and help prevent scarring.
Use hydrogen peroxide on popped pimples. This will burn, but the antiseptic properties of hydrogen peroxide can help clean out a popped zit and promote healing. Soak a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide and apply it to your popped pimple. Allow the hydrogen peroxide to sit on your skin until it has finished fizzing. Rinse with warm water. Perform the regimen twice a day.
Apply moisturizer to your skin daily. Moisturizer can help prevent your skin from drying out as the result of acne treatments, especially the use of hydrogen peroxide.
Tip
Conceal your popped zit, if necessary, with an oil-free concealer. Use only as much as necessary to minimize the appearance of the zit. Oil-free concealers will not clog pores.
Avoid touching your hands and other objects, such as the receiver of a telephone. Dirt and bacteria can easily be transferred to your face, causing infection in popped zits and new breakouts.
Warning
For zits that do not respond well to over-the-counter treatment or home remedies, consult a dermatologist.
References
- "The Most Effective Guide foAcne Treatment and Prevention; Micho Perch
Writer Bio
Michelle Zehr started writing professionally in 2009. She has written on health, fitness, fashion, interior design, home decorating,sports and finance for several websites. Zehr possesses a Bachelor of Arts in communication from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master of Arts in professional writing from Chatham University and a graduate certificate in health promotion from California University of Pennsylvania.