Here’s How to Get Rid of a Giant Zit as Fast as Possible

The urge to pop a pimple is real, so congratulations on resisting thus far. But here’s an uncomfortable truth: It’s very rare that a pimple will go gently into that dark night.

“The fact is, it’s not going to get better really quickly,” Robert Brodell, MD, a tenured professor and chair of the department of dermatology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, tells SELF. Spoiler: That sucker will probably still be there in the morning.

It turns out the best “treatment” for pimples is being proactive about preventing them. “There are plenty of old wives’ tales and remedies, but the best way to clear a pimple fast is to have a good skin-care routine all the time,” Suzanne Friedler, MD, a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and a clinical instructor at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, tells SELF.

That said, you obviously can’t go back in time and perfect your skin-care ritual to prevent the breakout you’re worried about right now. So consider these dermatologist-approved tips on how to get rid of a pimple (and what you absolutely should not do) instead. These remedies won’t work instantaneously, but they will certainly help make that zit less noticeable as it heals.

First, it’s important to have a basic understanding of what causes pimples and how acne forms.

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Acne is a common skin condition that develops when your pores become clogged and inflamed, typically due to excess oil, dead skin cells, acne-causing bacteria, and impurities like dirt, makeup, and pollution, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

This can result in different types of acne, including pimples, which are small bumps with pus at the center (also known as pustules) or without that pus (also known as papules); whiteheads, which are clogged pores that look white or flesh-colored; blackheads, which are clogged pores that are open and exposed to air, causing the gunk inside to oxidize and appear black; and cysts and nodules, which are those large, painful lumps under the skin.

There are lots of things that can cause breakouts, and you’ll be relieved to learn that nearly all of them have nothing to do with having “dirty” skin. Hormonal changes are typically the driving force behind acne, both for teens and adults. Specifically, androgens—sex hormones that play a key role in reproductive health—get a boost during puberty. There are also hormonal fluctuations that happen throughout your menstrual cycle, which can coincide with the timing of your breakouts, per the Mayo Clinic. Stress, pore-clogging products, certain foods, some health conditions, and simply your genetics can also trigger or make you prone to more intense acne if you’re someone who is already susceptible to pimples.

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How to get rid of a pimple quickly (or at least make it less noticeable)

We can’t stress this enough: Don’t pop your pimples! “Most people’s acne is either just a red bump or a pustule. When you squeeze those, something may come out, and something may go deeper in,” Dr. Brodell explains, noting that you can make your acne much worse by poking and prodding at it. While it feels satisfying in the moment, you’ll only delay healing and boost your risk of scarring. Instead of popping your pimple, consider just letting the bump run its course—especially if it’s only one or two little pimples.

Another popular “remedy” to avoid? Save the toothpaste for your teeth. “Toothpaste will just irritate your skin and possibly cause dark spots in the area,” says Dr. Friedler.

The best acne-fighting ingredient for you will depend on the underlying cause of your breakout, as well as your skin type. “The key is to go gently,” says Dr. Friedler. If you’re too aggressive with your treatment, you can cause more irritation and even hyperpigmentation, especially if you have a darker skin tone or particularly sensitive skin. “If you irritate the pimple more, you’re going to end up leaving yourself with a dark spot,” she says. With that in mind, here are the best acne ingredients and remedies to try when you need some pimple-fighting power fast.

For a really bad bump, your best bet is a cortisone shot.

“The fastest way [to get rid of a pimple] is to go to your dermatologist and get a cortisone shot,” says Dr. Friedier. Most of the time, she says, this steroid injection, which goes straight into the lesion, brings down the inflammation, swelling, and pain from a gnarly pimple within 24 hours.