For many, acne is an ongoing problem. Mild to moderate outbreaks across the face, specifically in the T-zone (forehead and chin), or on the back and shoulders are quite common. But what do you do if you have a particularly noticeable blemish and a particularly inconvenient time?
Plenty of movies and TV shows have dramatized the “big zit the night before the school dance” storyline, but the truth is that when it happens to you, it’s not that funny. A big or noticeable blemish can cause a lot of emotional stress, especially when you’re coming up to a big even where everyone will be taking pictures.
First Things First
First of all, stop stressing. Stress can actually increase the severity of your acne- it may not cause you to break out overnight, but it certainly won’t help. So for the sake of your skin—and your sanity—take a deep breath.
Secondly, don’t mess with it. A zit won’t get any better by you touching it all the time. If it’s very ready to pop, you can try it, but if there is any doubt, then do not touch. Squeezing a zit that isn’t ‘ready’ can cause more harm than good. You can irritate the skin all around the zit or even push the oil back under the skin, causing more redness, more swelling, and a more noticeable blemish.
Don’t Expect The Impossible
It’s important to understand that NO overnight treatment can eliminate a zit entirely overnight. Your skin is irritated and needs to heal, which always takes time, no matter what you do about it.
That said, here are a few things that may help you shrink and lighten your blemishes in a short amount of time.
Overnight Medications
There are a number of over-the-counter treatments that are made specifically for single-blemish use, and are designed to act quickly. These include spot-treatment ointments, as well as patches. Products may use high concentrations of salicylic acid, anti-biotic medication, or oil-absorbing ingredients. It is imperative that you follow the instructions: using the product longer or more generously than directed may damage your skin and defeat the purpose.
Natural Remedies
There are several natural remedies that people swear by as well. Most common is applying an essential oil (such as tea tree), or a product that contains the oil, directly to the blemish.
Find What Works For You
The best way to know what will work the night before a big event is to try products out ahead of time. If you can clear up a bad zit in time to visit your grandma, you know you’ll be in better shape before your next date.
