Pimples, also known as zits or spots can affect any person from 10 up to 40 years of age. More than 80% of teenagers face a pimple problem at some point and out of them 30% need medical therapy because of the severity of pimples. Pimples are painful as well as they cause a great deal of embarrassment and stress.
If the severity of pimples is not so much, you can try some simple things on your own which can sort out your pimple problem.
Frequent cleansing and skin care are the most important things in getting rid of pimples. Washing twice a day with a mild cleanser helps your skin to be kept clean, minimize sensitivity and irritation. You can use cleansers like Dove, Neutrogena, Cetaphil etc., for that. Also there are a variety of mild scrubs, masques and exfoliants you can use. They contain either fine granules or salicylic acid in a concentration which makes them mild peeling agents. These agents remove the outer layer of the skin and open the pores.
There are some home remedies which can be used to get over your pimple problem. They say honey is a great remedy for pimples. When combined with cinnamon powder it becomes more powerful in providing relief. You can make a paste mixing both and apply to the affected area before going to sleep. You should wash it away in the morning and repeated again in the night until symptoms settle.
There are several other remedies including orange peel, papaya juice, potatoes etc, but their efficacy is debatable.
For some of you pimples can cause serious problems and pimples may not respond to the above methods. These patients require medical therapy for their condition. There are many over the counter medications and prescription medicines available to help such people.
Common over-the-counter medications for getting rid of pimples are are benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and antibacterial creams including erythromycin, clindamycin, and tetracycline. They can be applied topically. Before applying them you need to wash your face with warm water and dry. You can also use a cleanser for that purpose.
Benzoyl peroxide is a safe first-line treatment for getting rid of pimples because of its effectiveness and lesser side-effects. Benzoyl peroxide is available in concentrations of 2.5%, 5.0%, and 10% as gels and lotions, as well as in stronger prescription creams. It usually causes dryness of the skin, slight redness, and occasional peeling as part of some side-effects. This medication increase sensitivity of your skin to the sun, so a sunscreen should be used during the treatment to prevent sunburn.
Benzoyl peroxide has been found to be nearly as effective as antibiotics. Unlike antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide does not generate bacterial resistance which is a nice benefit. You can easily buy benzoyl peroxide containing gel or ointment like PanOxyl® over the counter. You should clean your face as mentioned above before applying. Benzoyl peroxide is recommended to be applied in a thin layer to the affected areas one to three times a day. When initially using this treatment, start at one application a day during the first week and then gradually increase the usage up to three times a day. Most patients will respond to benzoyl peroxide during the first three months of treatment.