Pimples can be hard to get rid of and popping them might seem tempting. But, it’s important to know that you must never do it. Even worse, popping them might turn you off from conventional treatment methods that could save your skin but could seem too extreme for your taste. Does ice help acne?

Natural skin care alternatives to treat acne are becoming more popular. Ice is a good example of how one can be used to treat pimples. Potentially, it may have benefits, but there is not enough scientific research in this area yet.

 

How it Works

Does ice help pimples? For those who want to go the natural way with their acne treatment, there are some home remedies that can help and may provide clearer skin in the long run. Over-use of salicylic and benzoyl peroxide may cause more pimples which is why using them as needed instead of on a regular basis is best. If you want to maximise the protection from colds and other viruses, it’s best to avoid alcohol-based products. They include astringents, toners, exfoliants and more.

Applying ice packs can help by reducing the swelling of pimples caused by inflammatory acne. These include:

• cysts
• nodules
• pustules
• papules

Ice won’t work for those who don’t have inflammation in their acne — these are also known as blackheads. By reducing the inflammation of your pimples, you’re indirectly (or directly) reducing their size as well. And by gradually reducing a pimple’s size through ice treatments, it can eventually go away entirely.

When applied on acneic skin, ice has the potential to reduce swelling and redness which can make your infection less visible. It can also relieve pain caused by cystic or nodular acne. The short-term numbing it creates helps with that

Despite ice being an effective treatment for those with skin issues, we have no research to suggest that it is a successful treatment by itself. A smart facial skin care routine would usually involve iced as part of a number of ingredients which in turn include:

• regular cleanses
• a moisturizer designed for your skin type
• non comedogenic makeup

 

How to Use Ice on Pimples

A common issue people come across with zits is how to apply icing. But if you follow some of the steps seen below, it’ll be easy. First, make sure and cleanse your skin to remove all oils from it before applying.

Before you place the ice against your skin, wrap it in a thin cloth or thick paper towel. You can also use a cold compress if that sounds easier!

After taking care of your morning and evening face cleanses, apply the ice to your pimples. The cream should stay on there for one minute at a time. If your pimple is very red and inflamed, you can apply multiple layers of medication to help it heal. The timing should be no less than five minutes between any given layer. This should help your skin to stay healthy.

Ice can be used to treat pimples when used in conjunction with warm treatments, such as compresses or steamed towels. It’s a great way to help exfoliate your skin. Your skin’s temperature is lower on the cheekbones than on the forehead, so you can use chillier remedies there to make puffy things go down.

After applying warmth with compresses for 5-10 minutes, you may proceed to ice for one minute to decrease inflammation and swelling. If your pimple needs more time to come out, be sure to do this process daily.

Nevertheless, it is never advised to follow up ice treatments with hot compresses. This can only lead to unnecessary skin damage.

 

Things to Know Before Ice on Pimples Method

Icing your pimples can make the debris rise to the surface of your skin. It’s tempting to pop them but you should avoid it at all costs! Popping too much can make acne spread and do more damage to your skin.

It’s easy to get caught up in working at a pimple with ice and forget the potential dangers of applying frozen materials to your skin. To prevent frostbite, it’s important to only apply it for short intervals. You might not think of frostbite as something to be aware of while using ice, but it could still happen in cold conditions. Remain aware and don’t risk your safety.

We advise you to stop using ice immediately and notify your doctor if you experience symptoms such as:

• extensive redness
• blistering
• long-term numbness
• changes in your skin color

 

When to See a Dermatologist

Since it’s been known that ice can be used to treat acne, there’s now evidence that shows this method is effective and has little to no side effects. Combine that with the quick results of natural remedies makes them a great choice for some acne treatments. Picking or scratching the area will make it redder, more swollen and prone to infection. Consider using mineral make-up to camouflage it until you can speak with your doctor.

Does ice help acne? If your pimples don’t disappear within a few weeks it’s worth seeing your doctor. A dermatologist can get rid of it without problems. Talk to your doctor about what to do for acne – they can tell you about specific products, or changes in lifestyle that may be a good idea.

Read also: How to get rid of acne, How to get rid of acne scars, How to treat fungal acne

 

References

Ice on pimples: Does it help?. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ice-on-pimple 

Ice on Pimples: Does It Work?. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/ice-on-pimple