While ice can help reduce symptoms of an inflamed pimple, heat works well on noninflamed, blind pimples. A blind pimple is a type of closed comedo that develops in the deep layers of the skin.
Chill Angry Breakouts
While the underlying cause of blemishes and cystic acne is bacteria, a dose of chill can help relieve pain and decrease inflammation by constricting the blood vessels. For Rouleau, the trick is to alternate ice cube application with a warm compress on the flare-ups for about six cycles.
“Heat and humidity cause increased sweat and oil production in the skin leading to clogged pores and increased breakouts,” says Morgan Rabach, MD, a New York City-based board certified cosmetic dermatologist.
Warm compresses can do wonders for a lot of problems. For blind pimples, applying a warm compress can help bring the pimple closer to the surface. The heat from the compress opens and unclogs your clogged pores and helps create a pimple head. Once the head is formed, dirt, debris, and sebum can escape the pimple.
"The most common way to address these issues is to use benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, tree oil, or salicylic acid products before you go to bed," says Dr. Patel. Benzoyl peroxide is a bleaching agent that kills microbes and dries up oil in the follicle.
Over-the-counter skin cleansers that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can be applied to affected areas to help the pimples clear. If your pimples have developed into papules or pustules, you may want to see a dermatologist.
While the underlying cause of spots and cystic acne is bacteria, some DIY ice cube therapy can help calm down redness and inflammation by constricting the blood vessels. Experts are preaching the benefits of using ice, claiming the simple but effective method can beat those pesky pimples in just three minutes.
Apply a warm compress
If it's superficial enough, warm compresses could help the pimple come to a head, allowing it to rupture and expel the pus that's causing pain, says Hadley King, MD, board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
Dermatologist Jessica Wu, M.D, author of Feed Your Face states, “the sun's UV rays zap acne-causing bacteria, which is why pimples may clear up temporarily. Plus, pimples and red marks may look less obvious when your skin is tanned.”
Acne may worsen if you: Get too little sleep. Eat certain foods. Use oily makeup and skin care products.
Sweating can be good for your skin, as it helps to open up the pores and can work to remove a buildup of acne-causing bacteria and dirt that may be clogging the pores. However, if sweat dries and remains on your skin, it can actually have the opposite effect, leading to a breakout of sweat pimples.
This can create more pimples and trigger inflammation. Ice may help reduce redness, swelling, and pain in inflammatory-type pimples, including pustules and cysts. However, ice may have little to no effect on noninflammatory pimples, such as comedones, more commonly known as blackheads and whiteheads.
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 Shilpi Khetarpal, MD. It works by killing bacteria that clogs pores and causes inflammation.
If you've only got a few hours…
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.
Cheek acne may be due to one or more of the following: makeup, your phone spreading bacteria, dirty pillowcases, touching your face, or hormonal changes. The good news is there are several steps you can take to prevent it or reduce the severity of your cheek acne. See a doctor to get your acne treated.
Acne develops when sebum — an oily substance that lubricates your hair and skin — and dead skin cells plug hair follicles. Bacteria can trigger inflammation and infection resulting in more severe acne.
Given the increase in oil production, she says your skin will usually look greasier and slightly more inflamed. Zeichner adds that stress acne can also look like a combination of blackheads, whiteheads, red bumps, and pus pimples.
Acne is strongly associated with eating a Western-style diet rich in calories, fat and refined carbohydrates ( 25 , 26 ). Fast food items, such as burgers, nuggets, hot dogs, french fries, sodas and milkshakes, are mainstays of a typical Western diet and may increase acne risk.