Oh no! You woke up, and there is a big, red and white zit right on your nose. What should you do? Should you go Dr. Pimple on it, or should you have some patience and let it go away on its own?
We will walk you through everything you need to know about zits, how to treat a breakout, and when to see a doctor. These tips will help you maintain a healthy preteen skincare routine.
What Are Zits?
A zit, or pimple, is a skin irritation that pops up when a pore gets clogged with sebum, an oil our bodies naturally produce. There are two different types of zits. A papule is when the blackhead or whitehead develops into a red bump that feels hard. Pustules are when the papule develops pus. That is the typical zit people refer to.
Zits are most common during puberty because your hormones are rapidly changing, and your skin develops more sebum. Most zits are found in your T-zone—the forehead, nose, and chin areas—because this is where most of your oil-producing glands are. A breakout is when many zits form in one location or all over your face simultaneously. Taking care of your skin and zits is essential for healthy preteen skincare.
How to Safely Treat Zits
You can treat one or two pimples on your own, but to prevent a breakout, make sure you follow these preteen skincare rules because treating zits incorrectly could lead to permanent scars, more acne, painful inflammation, and even infections.
Wash Your Hands and Face
Keeping good hygiene is vital for your preteen skincare routine; this includes washing your hands often, especially when touching or treating your face. It would be best if you also washed your face as soon as you can after you sweat. For your face, use a lightweight, paraben- and sulfate-free cleanser.
Apply Ice to a Forming Zit
If the zit doesn’t have a head, ice will reduce the zit's swelling and pain. Take an ice cube wrapped in a paper towel and apply it to the pimple for five to ten minutes. Take a 10-minute break and apply another paper-towel wrapped ice cube. Do this a total of three times.
Apply Heat if there is a Head
If you see a head, you should take a clean washcloth and soak it in warm water. Apply the compress the same way as the ice above: five to 10 minutes on, break for 10 minutes, then reapply a warm compress again. Repeat these steps two to three times in one sitting. If needed, you can repeat this process up to four times daily until the pimple releases pus and heals.
Spot Treat The Zit
To zap that zit fast, apply a product that contains 2 percent salicylic acid. Salicylic acid helps kill the bacteria that causes acne. Apply just a little and only on the infected areas; too much can irritate your skin. If you don’t have a product with salicylic acid, you can crush up some aspirin, make a paste with water, and apply it to the pimple.
Don’t Pop It
The biggest mistake most people make is to try and pop, squeeze, or pick their pimples. As mentioned before, this can cause a breakout and increase your risk of infection, discoloration, and scarring.
When to See a Doctor About Zits
When considering your preteen skincare, we recommend first trying a proven acne treatment that works against fighting zits and breakouts. You should always see a dermatologist if the over-the-counter treatment you are using is not working or if your acne is getting worse. If you have nodules or cystic acne, you should also see a doctor. A dermatologist can help give you a treatment plan that will help your skin through these changing times.