Why is it that the biggest, reddest pimples always appear on your cheeks at the worst possible moment? Nobody wants to look at a crop of unsightly pimples, and so they need to be removed as fast as possible. If you let nature take its course, the redness will usually subside within two to three days. But if you've lined up a big date, you won't want to wait that long. You'll want to reduce the redness right now. So you might be tempted to pinch the pimple in the hope of reducing it. The problem is that pinching pimples just irritates the skin and often aggravates the inflammation and acne even further.
Instead, turn to some of the home remedies that have been found effective in reducing redness. Toothpaste is one remedy that has been used effectively to reduce red pimples for many generations. Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the pimple, and leave it on overnight. When you wash the toothpaste off in the morning, the swelling should have gone down. Using toothpaste also stops the accumulation of oils in the pimple and assists the pimple to heal faster. But don't use a gel type of toothpaste, because they don't work as well.
If you have a gentle exfoliation remedy, then you might also find that's effective. You can use it to remove all traces of dirt, oil and dead cells from your skin, and it helps to tighten up the pores. For oily skin, try using a charcoal mask.
Another popular remedy is to mix fresh cucumber and tomato juice. This remedy tightens up the pores and reduces redness. Apply the juice evenly to your face, and let it stay there for around fifteen minutes. Then wash it off with lukewarm water. If this sounds too tricky, then try cutting a tomato in half and rubbing the cut side gently over the face. Another option is apple cider vinegar, which acts like an astringent.
For a quick and inexpensive method, place an icepack over the pimple for a few minutes. You must be very careful while doing this, because you need to make sure you don't crush the pimple. If you do, you may break the pustule and release the pus. This can cause further outbreaks. But if you're gentle, an icepack can be very effective in reducing redness and swelling.
If you're not so concerned about using natural ingredients, then you might find bactericidal antibiotics and ointments effective in reducing redness. Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid preparations are also useful. However these products should only be used if recommended by your doctor, and you must be careful not to overuse them because of potential side effects.
In the long run, if you suffer for regular acne outbreaks, then it's probably a good idea for you to consult a dermatologist.
