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Red inflamed blemish
Cure it
Squeezing is a serious no-no. You can apply a good, topical benzoyl peroxide from Oxy or Neutrogena. A clay mask or drying lotion will also help eliminate the blemish.
Conceal it
It's difficult to cover an inflamed blemish, so you need a concealer that stays put. Dermablend is a good one to try because it has a thick consistency and is packed with pigment. Always start with the smallest amounts of concealer, and then build. Dab the concealer to the blemish with a small concealer brush or Q-tip, then gently cover.
Prevent it
If red and inflamed pimples plague you it's time to see a dermatologist for a regimen of oral and topical treatments to prevent the condition. "Once your acne is under control," says iVillage Beauty expert Dr. Barbara Reed, "you can often prevent recurrences using over-the-counter products containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic or glycolic acids. But a doctor can help you get to that point."
Whitehead
Cure it
Whiteheads are closed comedones and must be extracted in the hands of an experienced esthetician or dermatologist. Should you try it yourself, you risk infection, making the situation worse and even causing scarring. As an alternative, you might try applying a gel or cream that contains salicylic acid which may help you unplug the pore.
Conceal it
Using a Q-tip or small, pointed concealer brush, apply a dot of thick concealer to the center of the blemish, then gently spread it to cover. Brush over with translucent powder.
Prevent it
Regular facials can help prevent whiteheads because they will keep your pores clean. Dermatologists often prescribe a topical drug, either antibiotic creams or retinoids (like Retin-A or Differin) to prevent whiteheads. You may also keep them at bay by washing with a mild cleanser that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic and glycolic acids.
Blackhead
Cure it
You may try using Pond's or Biore Pore Strips which will lift some blackheads. If you attempt to extract them yourself, be really careful. First, apply a hot (but not too hot) compress to soften the pores. With a tissue around your two fingers, gently squeeze the pore. If the oil plug isn't released, stop squeezing. Never squeeze facial skin hard enough to leave an imprint.
Conceal it
Use a liquid spot-touch concealer that comes in a tube with its own applicator. Dot the concealer on the area and blend with your finger. If your skin is shiny, dust the area with powder.
Prevent it
It's almost impossible to prevent blackheads. Once a week, steam face to soften the oils clogging your pores and cleanse skin using a mask. Use products that include salicylic or glycolic acids to keep pores clean. You might want to consider getting a facial every month to deep-clean pores.
Erupting blemishes
Cure it
Cystic acne has the potential to leave deep scars and should never be squeezed. If it's an open pimple, apply an acne drying gel or lotion and let the blemish run its course. If you have frequent outbreaks, visit a dermatologist for appropriate treatment
Conceal it
Sorry, you must not touch an erupting blemish. Keep it clean with an astringent, but leave it alone until it dries out. If it is dry, apply a dab of a heavy concealer to the blemish with a Q-tip or a small acrylic-tipped brush.
Prevent it
An occasional eruption can't be avoided. Dermatologists adivse you to let it drain, keeping it covered with a benzoyl peroxide cream (or antibiotic like Neosporin.) Never, never squeeze it. "It will not make it go away or prevent future outbreaks," says iVillage Beauty skin expert Dr. Barbara Reed. " If you squeeze you are likely to break the swollen pore under the skin, causing a worse eruption." If they are common occurences for you, you may have cystic acne; make an appointment with a doctor. A dermatologist can prescribe antibiotics or give you other strategies to control it
Small blemish
Cure it
Don't touch it. Wash the area gently and try a homeopathic acne cream
Conceal it
Cover the blemish with a dab of liquid foundation using a small concealer brush. Brush lightly with translucent powder to hold.
Prevent it
It's bound to happen once in awhile no matter what you do. Keep your skin clean and use non-comedogenic moisturizers and sunscreen. Make sure all your makeup is oil-free. Wash makeup brushes freqently and keep your hands away from your face.
Feel-it-coming blemish
Cure it
Ask your doctor if an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug might help ease the swelling. Sometimes applying ice to the area, whenever you feel like touching it, helps. Other than that, keep your hands off.
Conceal it
Cover with a lightweight concealer cream or liquid foundation: Dab the cream on the area, blend with finger.
Prevent it
Use cleansers and moisturizers designed to prevent acne. And always remember to keep your hands away from your face. If what you feel coming is a large deep blemish that occurs frequently, it's time to see a dermatologist. These kinds of pimples can leave a scar. A dermatologist will recommend drugs that keep infections that cause acne from happening.
Third eye
Cure it
Never, never squeeze. If it's one annoying zit around the time of your period you can visit a dermatologist for an anti-inflammatory drug that will dry up this condition within 12 hours. If you have frequent outbreaks, to prevent scarring, be sure to visit a dermatologist to get the drugs that can control the condition
Conceal it
Use a heavy concealer like Dermablend. Gently dab concealer on with a Q-tip or paint it on with an acrylic brush
Prevent it
Keep the area between your brows really clean and use a pore cleanser. Since this condition can come from ingrown hairs, make sure you pluck the hair between your eyebrows carefully, pulling from the root in the direction that the hair grows. If your third eye is of the cystic variety, (a very deep pimple) see your dermatologist for a possible prescription of antibiotics or another drug strategy.
Cure it
Squeezing is a serious no-no. You can apply a good, topical benzoyl peroxide from Oxy or Neutrogena. A clay mask or drying lotion will also help eliminate the blemish.
Conceal it
It's difficult to cover an inflamed blemish, so you need a concealer that stays put. Dermablend is a good one to try because it has a thick consistency and is packed with pigment. Always start with the smallest amounts of concealer, and then build. Dab the concealer to the blemish with a small concealer brush or Q-tip, then gently cover.
Prevent it
If red and inflamed pimples plague you it's time to see a dermatologist for a regimen of oral and topical treatments to prevent the condition. "Once your acne is under control," says iVillage Beauty expert Dr. Barbara Reed, "you can often prevent recurrences using over-the-counter products containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic or glycolic acids. But a doctor can help you get to that point."
Whitehead
Cure it
Whiteheads are closed comedones and must be extracted in the hands of an experienced esthetician or dermatologist. Should you try it yourself, you risk infection, making the situation worse and even causing scarring. As an alternative, you might try applying a gel or cream that contains salicylic acid which may help you unplug the pore.
Conceal it
Using a Q-tip or small, pointed concealer brush, apply a dot of thick concealer to the center of the blemish, then gently spread it to cover. Brush over with translucent powder.
Prevent it
Regular facials can help prevent whiteheads because they will keep your pores clean. Dermatologists often prescribe a topical drug, either antibiotic creams or retinoids (like Retin-A or Differin) to prevent whiteheads. You may also keep them at bay by washing with a mild cleanser that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic and glycolic acids.
Blackhead
Cure it
You may try using Pond's or Biore Pore Strips which will lift some blackheads. If you attempt to extract them yourself, be really careful. First, apply a hot (but not too hot) compress to soften the pores. With a tissue around your two fingers, gently squeeze the pore. If the oil plug isn't released, stop squeezing. Never squeeze facial skin hard enough to leave an imprint.
Conceal it
Use a liquid spot-touch concealer that comes in a tube with its own applicator. Dot the concealer on the area and blend with your finger. If your skin is shiny, dust the area with powder.
Prevent it
It's almost impossible to prevent blackheads. Once a week, steam face to soften the oils clogging your pores and cleanse skin using a mask. Use products that include salicylic or glycolic acids to keep pores clean. You might want to consider getting a facial every month to deep-clean pores.
Erupting blemishes
Cure it
Cystic acne has the potential to leave deep scars and should never be squeezed. If it's an open pimple, apply an acne drying gel or lotion and let the blemish run its course. If you have frequent outbreaks, visit a dermatologist for appropriate treatment
Conceal it
Sorry, you must not touch an erupting blemish. Keep it clean with an astringent, but leave it alone until it dries out. If it is dry, apply a dab of a heavy concealer to the blemish with a Q-tip or a small acrylic-tipped brush.
Prevent it
An occasional eruption can't be avoided. Dermatologists adivse you to let it drain, keeping it covered with a benzoyl peroxide cream (or antibiotic like Neosporin.) Never, never squeeze it. "It will not make it go away or prevent future outbreaks," says iVillage Beauty skin expert Dr. Barbara Reed. " If you squeeze you are likely to break the swollen pore under the skin, causing a worse eruption." If they are common occurences for you, you may have cystic acne; make an appointment with a doctor. A dermatologist can prescribe antibiotics or give you other strategies to control it
Small blemish
Cure it
Don't touch it. Wash the area gently and try a homeopathic acne cream
Conceal it
Cover the blemish with a dab of liquid foundation using a small concealer brush. Brush lightly with translucent powder to hold.
Prevent it
It's bound to happen once in awhile no matter what you do. Keep your skin clean and use non-comedogenic moisturizers and sunscreen. Make sure all your makeup is oil-free. Wash makeup brushes freqently and keep your hands away from your face.
Feel-it-coming blemish
Cure it
Ask your doctor if an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug might help ease the swelling. Sometimes applying ice to the area, whenever you feel like touching it, helps. Other than that, keep your hands off.
Conceal it
Cover with a lightweight concealer cream or liquid foundation: Dab the cream on the area, blend with finger.
Prevent it
Use cleansers and moisturizers designed to prevent acne. And always remember to keep your hands away from your face. If what you feel coming is a large deep blemish that occurs frequently, it's time to see a dermatologist. These kinds of pimples can leave a scar. A dermatologist will recommend drugs that keep infections that cause acne from happening.
Third eye
Cure it
Never, never squeeze. If it's one annoying zit around the time of your period you can visit a dermatologist for an anti-inflammatory drug that will dry up this condition within 12 hours. If you have frequent outbreaks, to prevent scarring, be sure to visit a dermatologist to get the drugs that can control the condition
Conceal it
Use a heavy concealer like Dermablend. Gently dab concealer on with a Q-tip or paint it on with an acrylic brush
Prevent it
Keep the area between your brows really clean and use a pore cleanser. Since this condition can come from ingrown hairs, make sure you pluck the hair between your eyebrows carefully, pulling from the root in the direction that the hair grows. If your third eye is of the cystic variety, (a very deep pimple) see your dermatologist for a possible prescription of antibiotics or another drug strategy.
