How to get rid of an acne breakout quickly

Unexpected breakouts can strike at any moment, and they’re never more unwanted than when they flare up the day before a special occasion or event. Acne breakouts always seem to show up at the worst times: when you just don’t have the time or patience to wait out its life cycle for a week, and you need it banished immediately. While it can be tempting to start squeezing, try to avoid this as you’re putting yourself at risk of scarring or making the pimple last even longer if the wound fills with bacteria and closes again.

So, how do you free yourself of pesky inflammation and acne? From spot stickers and targeted overnight treatments, here is everything you need to know about getting rid of a pimple quickly.

Look for the right ingredients 

Salicylic acid (also known as BHA) is your go-to fix for making breakouts disappear quickly. This superhero ingredient not only keeps blemishes at bay but also works incredibly fast on active breakouts.

Salicylic acid’s acne-fighting power is twofold: First, it penetrates pores to dissolve oil and other breakout-causing substances, and second, its soothing properties help minimise the redness that accompanies a blemish. It’s a win-win ingredient to help make pimples go away fast.

Use a salicylic acid exfoliant daily for acne-prone skin and keep a high-strength spot treatment on-hand to help those occasional, extra-stubborn bumps go down overnight. The SkinCeuticals Blemish and Age Defense Serum combines Salicylic Acid with Dioic Acid to actively reduce the severity of breakouts by controlling excessive sebum production and decongesting the pores, and minimising inflammation. Pop a generous amount of this or a retinoid cream onto the spot overnight, and it should flatten it out by the morning.

Cleanse thoroughly

Never underestimate the power of a good quality cleanser. Exfoliating cleansers are perfect for acne, as they help unclog the pores to treat pimples and prevent them from occurring. SkinCeuticals Blemish and Age cleanser combines potent cleansing agents Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid to remove excess sebum, accelerate exfoliation, smooth irregularities, and calm inflammation.

Try a spot patch

A good-quality spot sticker like Zitsticka or Dots for Spots can work well for a quick overnight fix. Spot stickers act like mini dressings or plasters, covering the breakout to prevent bacteria from getting in, creating the right environment for the skin to heal, and preventing you from picking at the spot and making it worse. Zitstickas are small, clear patches covered in micro darts that inject ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide into the heart of the spot to stop it in its tracks. They promote faster healing and won’t dry out your skin.

You’ll know when a spot sticker is working because you can usually see the process happening: The clear patch turns white and expands, and the skin (where your breakout once was) flattens out and becomes redness-free. After a few hours or a good night’s sleep, peel it off to reveal the accumulated gunk and a flatter surface beneath.

In an emergency, consider steroid injections

If you have a big event coming up, you probably don’t have time to wait and see if your breakout will disappear on its own. Consider visiting a doctor for a true overnight cure. A steroid shot is an anti-inflammatory, so it diffuses the inflammation and flattens the spot out. This may also be an excellent option to consider if you’re dealing with a big, painful, inflamed spot and wish to avoid acne scarring. The possible side effects of steroid injections are skin thinning, lighetning, and possible indentation at the injection site, so they aren’t recommended as a regular pimple treatment but are incredibly useful in the case of an emergency.

Unfortunately, this is only true of the type that works on superficial spots. Dots for Spots are best for whiteheads – they have an osmotic effect that basically takes the fluid out of the spot and deflate it.

To find out more about our treatment options or book a consultation with one of our expert practitioners, click here.