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Is heat or ice good for pimples?

Both heat and ice can be useful home remedies for treating pimples. Heat helps bring pimples to a head, while ice helps reduce redness and inflammation. The best approach is often to use heat first to help draw out the infection, then switch to ice to soothe irritation. With some basic guidelines, heat and ice can be simple, drug-free ways to manage breakouts.

Using Heat on Pimples

Applying gentle heat is one of the oldest and most traditional home remedies for pimples. Heat helps speed up the natural life cycle of a pimple in the following ways:

  • Increases blood flow to the area, bringing more white blood cells to help fight infection
  • Softens and loosens dead skin cells and hardened sebum in clogged pores
  • Brings pimples to a head faster so they can drain and heal

Some examples of how to safely use heat on pimples include:

Warm compress

Soak a clean washcloth in hot water, wring it out so it doesn’t drip, and hold it against affected areas for 5-10 minutes 2-3 times per day. Reheat as needed. The warm moisture helps open pores so pimples can drain.

Steaming

Drape a towel over your head and lean over a basin of hot water. Let the steam gently open your pores for 5-10 minutes. Be careful not to burn yourself. Steam 2-3 times per day to bring pimples to a head.

Shower or bath

Take a hot shower or bath to let the heat and steam work on pimples on your back, chest, or other larger areas of your body. Heat from the water will increase circulation and loosen blockages.

Hot spot treatment

Apply a warm, damp washcloth to individual pimples for about 5 minutes at a time, 2-3 times per day. The localized heat will help them surface.

Cautions with heat

While heat is very effective for drawing out pimples, take care not to overdo it which can worsen redness and inflammation. Some tips include:

  • Never apply direct heat like a hairdryer or heating pad – this can burn and damage skin.
  • Make sure water and compresses are warm, not hot enough to scald.
  • Don’t leave heat on for more than 10 minutes at a time.
  • Avoid excessive steaming which can overly dry out skin.

Using gentle, indirect heat like warm water and moist towels are the safest ways to encourage drainage of pimples.

Using Ice on Pimples

While heat draws pimples to the surface, ice can help reduce painful swelling and inflammation of existing breakouts. Icing pimples constricts blood vessels, slowing circulation to diminish redness. It may also help close enlarged pores after heat treatment. Benefits of ice for pimples include:

  • Decreases inflammation and reduces swelling
  • Numbs pain and discomfort
  • Soothes irritation from picking/popping
  • Closes pores to prevent further infection

Some appropriate methods for icing pimples are:

Ice cubes

Wrap ice cubes in a thin towel and apply to breakouts for 1-2 minutes at a time. The frozen temperature helps constrict blood vessels under the skin that can cause swelling and tenderness.

Frozen spoon or toothbrush

Run a spoon or clean toothbrush under cold water then store in the freezer. Rub the frozen tool gently over pimples to relieve soreness and reduce redness.

Cold gel pack

Wrap gel packs made for injuries in a paper towel and apply to affected areas for 5-10 minutes. The cold temperature will decrease inflammation.

Bag of frozen vegetables

Wrap frozen vegetables like peas in a towel and use similarly to an ice pack. Affordable and readily available for icing down pimples.

Cautions with ice

While ice is soothing, take care not to overuse it which can damage skin. Best practices include:

  • Never apply ice directly – always wrap in cloth to protect skin.
  • Limit icing to 5-10 minutes at a time.
  • Allow skin to return to normal temperature between treatments.
  • Don’t ice an area that is already numb – can lead to frostbite.

With some common sense precautions, ice is an inexpensive way to relieve pimple discomfort and swelling.

Should You Heat or Ice First?

Generally it’s recommended to try warm compresses or steam treatments first to bring pimples to the surface. Once they rupture and drain, switch to ice to provide relief and reduce further inflammation. Here are some tips on the best order to use heat and ice:

  • Use heat on newly formed pimples to accelerate draining.
  • Don’t squeeze or pop pimples until after heat treatment to open pores.
  • Once a pimple drains, apply ice to close pores and reduce swelling.
  • Switch to ice if a pimple hasn’t drained after 2-3 days of heat treatment.
  • Always cleanse skin and hands before heat/ice treatments to prevent further spread of bacteria.

Alternating heat then ice is the most effective approach for managing the complete life cycle of a pimple from start to finish.

Other Remedies for Pimples

While heat and ice are two of the most accessible home treatments for pimples, there are a variety of other remedies that can be beneficial:

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic that can kill acne-causing bacteria. Use a cotton swab to gently dab diluted tea tree oil onto blemishes after cleansing.

Green tea

Green tea contains antioxidants that fight inflammation. Apply cooled green tea bags or green tea extracts to pimples to reduce swelling and redness.

Aloe vera gel

The cooling, anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera gel can soothe pimples and promote healing. Look for gels designed for acne prone skin.

Honey masks

Honey has natural antimicrobial properties. Combine with ingredients like cinnamon or lemon juice and apply as a mask to problem areas to disinfect pores.

Turmeric spot treatment

Turmeric contains curcumin which can inhibit p.acnes bacteria. Make a paste with water or aloe and dab onto pimples.

Hydrocolloid bandages

These protective dots absorb fluid from open pimples and promote healing. Place over popped pimples to prevent infection and scarring.

Remedy Benefits
Tea tree oil Antiseptic, kills acne bacteria
Green tea Anti-inflammatory, reduces swelling
Aloe vera Soothes and promotes healing
Honey masks Antimicrobial, disinfects pores
Turmeric Contains curcumin to inhibit acne bacteria
Hydrocolloid bandages Protects open pimples from infection

When to See a Dermatologist

While home remedies can be helpful for occasional breakouts, severe or persistent acne requires medical treatment. See a dermatologist if you experience:

  • Painful nodules or cysts under the skin
  • Inflamed pimples not improving with home treatment
  • Acne primarily around the jawline and chin
  • Scarring or dark spots after acne clears up
  • Flare-ups related to menstrual cycles

A dermatologist can determine if your acne is hormonal, and prescribe stronger topical or oral medications like retinoids or birth control pills to address it.

Procedures like steroid injections, drainage, and light treatments may be used for quick relief of deep, cystic pimples. Laser resurfacing and dermabrasion can also improve the appearance of acne scars over time.

Don’t hesitate to seek professional advice if your acne is severe, painful, or not getting better with basic self-care. Early treatment can help prevent permanent scarring.

When to Use Caution

While generally safe, take care using heat and ice for pimples if you have any of the following conditions:

  • Diabetes or poor circulation – reduced blood flow can increase risks of burns or frostbite
  • Pregnancy – check with your doctor before using new treatments
  • Active skin infections – heat/ice may worsen condition
  • Eczema or psoriasis – extremes of temperature can trigger flares
  • Sensitive skin – test heat/ice on small area first to check for reactions
  • Herpes simplex – heat can bring on outbreaks if prone to cold sores

Have a discussion with your doctor if you have any medical conditions before treating acne with heat or ice at home.

Conclusion

When used properly, heat and ice can be simple yet effective ways to manage pimples at home. Heat helps bring deep pimples to the surface so they can drain, while ice reduces pain and swelling of inflamed blemishes. Using these drug-free remedies as part of a regular skin care routine may help prevent lasting acne scars. However, seek medical advice promptly if breakouts are severe, painful, or not improving with self-care. With some patience and basic knowledge of how to alternate hot and cold therapy, you can keep occasional pimples under control.