Here are no overnight solutions to acne. Should you try to pop it immediately? Apply a medicated cream? Would an ice pack help? Or is it a heat pack? What works the fastest – heat or ice on pimples? Cold temps can have anti-inflammatory effects (goodbye, swelling!); moist heat has a way of softening the skin and loosening blockages in pores (goodbye, blackheads).
When To Use Ice on a Pimples
Using cold treatment for healing acne is not new. This idea was conceived in 1925 by Giraudeau. He proposed using acetone, carbon dioxide snow, along with sulfur for treating acne. Ice therapy has incredible benefits for acne.
- Redness and swelling can be an absolute nightmare when you are dealing with cystic acne. When you apply ice on the acne or pimple, it constricts the blood vessels and reduces inflammation.
- Ice packs help in tightening the skin pores so that bacteria and other irritants cannot clog them.
- Putting ice on your acne can only help if it is a case of inflammatory acne. This means you will get relief if you put ice on papules, cysts, nodules, and pustules.
- Wrap the ice cubes in a towel or put them inside a sandwich bag (if you have one). You can also use a cotton cloth to wrap a single cube. Rub it on the affected area for about 10 minutes. Take a break for 3-4 minutes and then reapply. Make sure you never use ice on your skin for more than 20 minutes.
When To Use Heat on a Pimple
Now that you know ice can help shrink pores and reduce redness and swelling, it would seem that heat would have the opposite effect. So, why would you want to use heat on a pimple? Well, just like with a muscle strain, heat can be beneficial, if it’s used at the right time. Traditionally, heat has been used as a home remedy to speed up drainage from painful boils and abscesses.
Use heat on a pimples
- It’s very deep and painful, with no head.
- When you’re not just about to go out to a special event.
- If you’re hoping to bring a pimple to a head quickly.
- Soak a washcloth, or the corner of a towel, in the hottest water you can stand – but not so hot that it’ll burn you.
- Apply the cloth to the pimple and hold gently for 10-15 minutes. Don’t apply pressure, just hold the cloth on the pimple.
- Repeat this routine three to four times a day, until the pimple comes to a head.
- Gently dry the area.
