Waking up with a prominent red pimple on your face on a particular day is akin to a brief horror story – one that many women experience often.

It could be on the day you are flying off for a long-awaited vacation, or when you have planned a special dinner date, or even on your wedding day – a pimple pops up out of nowhere and ruins your face (and mood). That angry pimple can also make you angry, making you ready to do anything to get rid of that big, red monster.

what not to do

But, it is never a good idea to pop that pimple. This can make the condition worse and leave a scar. Even common home remedies like applying toothpaste, baking soda or lemon will not help. In fact, they can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring.

“Avoid using garlic, toothpaste, and lemon as these can damage the skin around pimples, leave scars, cause irritation, and even worsen the existing condition,” says Dr Vidushi Jain, dermatologist and medical head at Ghaziabad-based clinic Dermalinks.

What to do instead?

So, how can one calm down a pimple quickly? We asked several dermatologists this question, and their final suggestion is prevention. Don’t underestimate whiteheads and blackheads—they are different types of acne.

Dr Geetika Srivastava, dermatologist and founder of Delhi-based Influence Skin and Hair Clinic, explains, “Extract your comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) regularly or treat them immediately with anti-acne medications before they turn into large pimples. These comedones are like tiny volcanoes that are on the verge of erupting. Treating them through medication or extraction is the key to preventing sudden pimple outbreaks.”

Another important step in preventing sudden acne breakouts is to identify the causes.

Dr. Srivastava says, “Common triggers include dietary habits, such as excessive dairy or sugar intake. Another factor could be sticking to a winter skincare routine in other seasons or using oils on the face to care for your skin. Other factors could include hormonal fluctuations during menstruation, which leads to premenstrual acne breakouts, and touching or manipulating acne, which can cause skin irritation.”

Recognize these causes so you can take appropriate measures to avoid the unpleasant surprise of a large, red rash next time.

If you already have a pimple on your face that you want to get rid of immediately, here are some dermatologist-approved things you can do:

Multani soil

Multani mitti is a trusted skincare ingredient in Indian households, and dermatologists also recommend its use. Dr Srivastava suggests making a pack and applying it on the pimple daily. “In 3-4 days it will dry up and you can cover it with makeup,” she says.

If you don’t have 3-4 days to deal with that pimple, here’s another quick remedy. “Take equal amounts of apple cider vinegar, freshly squeezed lemon and multani mitti. Apply it on the pimple every hour. Just apply it and then cover it with a mask. When you remove it, use ice to avoid redness,” says Delhi-based dermatologist Deepali Bhardwaj.

She calls it one of her favorite home remedies.

Spot Corrector

You can also use a spot corrector which helps to deal with acne.

Dr. Srivastava says, “There are a lot of spot correctors available in the market. Most of them contain a combination of salicylic acid, zinc and sulfur. I have personally used a few and they give amazing results.”

A spot corrector is like a spot peel that you apply with a Q-tip on a clean face. You don’t need to rub the product. Just apply it on the pimple, let it sit and absorb. It will dry overnight and you can wash it off with water the next morning.

“Yes, there will be a small scar, but that can be hidden with makeup. It usually takes 2 to 3 days to heal,” says Dr Srivastava.

Antiseptic cream combined with a moderate potency steroid

For extreme emergencies, Dr. Srivastava suggests combining an antiseptic ointment like Soframycin with a medium-potency steroid like Betnovate.

“Mix the two and apply it to the pimple. While the antiseptic ointment works on the pus, the medium-potency steroid focuses on the inflammation,” she says.

Experts stress that it should not be used for more than 2-3 days. “Use it sparingly, only in emergencies. Never use it for more than 2-3 days and avoid frequent use. After all, it is a steroid,” she adds.

Intralesional injection

One last quick remedy to get rid of pimples instantly is to visit a dermatologist and get an intralesional mild-steroid injection.

“Dermatologists can administer intralesional mild-steroid injections to relieve inflammation and provide immediate relief,” says Dr. Bhardwaj.

“It’s a small injection that reduces inflammation and shrinks stubborn pimples quickly,” says Dr. Srivastava.

salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is a main ingredient in most anti-acne products due to its effectiveness. You can apply a serum to soothe pimples.

“Salicylic acid serum can be used twice a week to reduce comedones on the face and for gentle exfoliation,” says Dr. Srivastava.

benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is an extremely effective ingredient that kills acne-causing bacteria, removes dead skin cells, and reduces inflammation. It works especially well on acne.

“Benzoyl peroxide is definitely effective for inflamed acne,” says Dr. Srivastava. Use it as a spot treatment. Since it can be very drying, moisturize your skin properly with a non-comedogenic product.

Remember not to overuse it as overuse can cause dryness, redness, and peeling.

Pimple Patch

Salicylic acid is the main ingredient in most pimple patches, which helps soothe pimples. In addition to helping soothe pimples, the patch also prevents you from squeezing it.

Gel containing niacinamide and retinoid

According to Dr. Bhardwaj, antibiotic gel containing niacinamide and retinoid can also help reduce pimples. Both the ingredients complement each other.

These tips may be helpful for occasional problems. However, for regularly occurring acne problems, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist who can identify the root cause and suggest appropriate treatment.