From The Straits Times    |

How to prevent and flatten a new pimple in seconds! B.png

Are you a fellow pimple psychic? Let me explain: I’m uncannily accurate when it comes to predicting the next big breakout, mere minutes before said blemish comes burbling to the surface. Who’s with me?

There’s no need to get frantic over freshly formed acne. For days when you just know something “spotty” this way comes, try the following preemptive punch to zap your zits – before things take a turn for the ugly:

STEP 1. The area that’s about to bust out in a blemish will be pulsing painfully (and look the part, too!) That means the first order of business is to squelch the swelling that makes pimples so unpleasantly prominent.

Take it from an expert: “An anti-inflammatory cortisone shot is the quickest way of treating new pimples,” advises Dr Karen Soh, medical director of Prive Clinic. If injectables aren’t your thing, consider off-the-counter cortisone creams instead; any respectable pharmacy ought to stock what you’re looking for. Simply slap on a generous glob onto the affected area and gently pat it in, then wipe off any excess. This ought to reduce redness in a jiffy.

STEP 2. Calm any residual ruddiness in your complexion by cooling the “hotspot” as if you were icing an injured knee. Create a quick-and-dirty cold compress by bundling a couple of ice cubes in a wash towel.

Hold it against the blemish for about 30 seconds, then pat dry. The dip in temperature shrinks the skin’s blood vessels (say “vasoconstriction” if you want to impress your dermatologist), dialling back the blotchiness of the blemish. Bonus: This cool trick also takes care of puffiness, pores and such – essentially any and every cosmetic concern.

And you’re done! Follow up with all your usual skincare unguents and top off with a concealer if you like. All ready to “face” the day in less than a minute, thereabouts. Good luck!

Photography: Vernon Wong; Art direction: Eugene Quek and Sabrina Tiong; Makeup: Beno Lim of M.A.C Cosmetics; Model: Zhao Meijuan/Nu Models; Top: Cool-find K-Style

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