What Are The Treatments For Pimples? How Can I Treat My Pimples?

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Main Category: Dermatology
Article Date: 11 Jun 2010 - 0:00 PDT

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Pimples (acne, zits, spots) affect the skin of the majority of teenagers and a significant number of adults. Some individuals are lucky and have occasional breakouts, while others may experience ongoing (chronic) problems. The presence of pimples on the skin, especially the face, may cause anxiety and/or embarrassment.

Experts say that acne should be treated promptly, especially if the individual is prone to getting pimples.

Self-help pimple treatments

• Washing your face about twice each day - not more often. Make sure you have a mild soap. Use warm water. Wash gently; do not scrub the skin. Experts advise the use of an OTC lotion which contains benzoyl peroxide.
• Do not pop (burst) the pimple - there is a risk you may push the infection further down, causing more serious blockage and worse swelling and redness. Popping pimples also increases the risk of scarring.
• If you need to get rid of it - if you have an important event, such as a public-speaking engagement or a wedding and it is important to get rid of a sightly pimple, get a specialist to treat it for you.
• Touching your face - even though this may require some willpower, try to refrain from touching your face with your hands. If you are using a telephone, do not let receiver touch the skin of your face - it may have skin residue or sebum on it. Before touching your face make sure you always wash your hands with soap.
• Hand hygiene - keep your hands and nails as clean as you can by washing them regularly with soap. Keep your nails short.
• Glasses (spectacles) - glasses collect sebum and skin residue; clean them regularly.
• Loose clothing - if the pimples are on parts of your body covered by clothing, such as your back, shoulders or chest, wear loose clothing. Whenever possible, avoid wearing headbands, caps and scarves - if you have to wear them, wash them regularly. In short - allow your skin to breathe.
• Make up - make sure you have taken all your make up off when you go to sleep. Only use makeup that is nonceomedogenic or nonacnegenic - you should be able to read this on the label.
• Hair - sebum and skin collects in hair. Keep your hair clean. Try to keep your hair away from your face.
• Sun exposure - overexposure to sunlight may sometimes result in the production of more sebum. Some medications used by people with acne may make your skin more prone to sunburn.
• Shaving your face - be careful when you shave. Either use safety razors (make sure blade is sharp) or an electric shaver. Before shaving, soften the skin with warm, soapy water before applying the shaving cream - the skin is softer straight after a warm shower.

Over-the-counter (OTC) pimple treatments

The majority of OTC products for pimples/acne contain the following active ingredients:

• Resorcinol - this helps break down blackheads and/or whiteheads. It is a crystalline phenol (carbolic acid, C₆H₅OH) and comes from various resins. This active ingredient is also used for the treatment of dandruff, eczema and psoriasis.
• Benzoyl Peroxide, (C₆H₅CO) ₂O₂ - this active ingredient attacks and kills bacteria and slows down the glands' production of oil. Benzoyl works as a peeling agent, accelerating skin turnover and clearing pores, which in turn reduces the bacterial count in the affected area.
• Salicylic Acid, C₆H₄ (OH)COOH - helps break down blackheads and whiteheads, also slows down the shedding of cells which line the follicles of the oil glands, effective in treating inflammation and swelling. Salicylic acid is a white crystalline substance which is also used as a fungicide, or in making aspirin or dyes or perfumes. It causes the epidermis to shed skin more easily, prevents pores from becoming blocked, while at the same time allowing space for new cells to grow. Many dandruff shampoos contain salicylic acid.
• Sulfur - a chemical element which is denoted with the symbol S. It helps break down blackheads and whiteheads. Sulfur, in its native form, is a yellow crystalline solid. Sulfur has been used for centuries for treating acne, psoriasis and eczema. Scientists are not sure how sulfur works to help skin diseases. We do know that elemental sulfur does oxidize slowly to sulfurous acid which is a mild reducing and antibacterial agent.
• Retin-A - helps unplug blocked pores. Retin-A contains Tretinoin, an acid form of vitamin A, also known as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Tretinoin is also used for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Retin-A has been used widely to combat aging of the skin, it also acts as a chemical peel. It was the first retinoid developed for acne use by applying it on the skin (retinoids are a class of chemical compounds that are related chemically to vitamin A).
• Azelaic Acid, HOOC(CH₂)₇CCOH - strengthens cells that line the follicles, stops oil eruptions, reduces bacteria growth. It is a saturated dicarboxylic acid found naturally in wheat, rye, and barley. Azelaic acid also mops up free radicals, which reduces inflammation. It is useful for patients with darker skin who have dark patches on their face (melasma), or whose acne spots leave persistent brown marks.

Most of these active ingredients may be found in medications in the form of gels, pads, creams, lotions and soaps. OTC medications will have different concentrations of these active ingredients; it is advisable to start with the lowest strengths. At first you may experience skin irritation, redness, or burning - eventually, after continued use, these side effects go away. People with sensitive skin generally go for creams or lotions.

Gels tend to be better for people with oily skins. Gels are usually alcohol based and dry the skin.

What can make the pimples worse?

• The menstrual cycle - females with pimples often find signs and symptoms worsen one or two weeks before their period (menstrual cycle) arrives. Experts say this is most likely due to hormonal changes that occur. Some females blame chocolates - they say they consume more chocolates during the week or two prior to their period. However, there is no evidence that links chocolate consumption to pimples.
• Stress and anxiety - hormonal levels may be affected by anxiety or stress, especially levels of adrenaline and cortisol. Both these hormones are thought to make acne worse.
• Some climates - especially ones that make the individual sweat more, can cause acne to worsen. An individual who is prone to pimples may find it more difficult to cope in hot and humid climates.
• Some make ups - any make up that contains oil can make pimples worse in some susceptible individuals.
• Greasy hair - hair may become greasy as a result of using some hair products, such as those with cocoa or coconut butter.
• Bursting the pimple - the infection may be pushed down deeper. There is also a risk of scarring.

Sources: National Health Service (NHS), UK, The Mayo Clinic, Wikipedia, HHS (Department of Health and Human Services USA), NIH (National Institutes of Health, USA).

Further reading

• What are pimples (zits, spots)? What causes pimples?

Written by Christian Nordqvist


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