A pimple is driving you crazy. You just cannot help it. You know it is wrong to pop pimples. However, you just cannot wait, and you pop the pimple. What you are left is a dry crusty scab.
The pimple is gone, but a new problem arises. And now, you are wondering how to get rid of pimple scabs.
Once you pop a pimple, the next step in the healing is caring for the popped pimple. We all experience pimples at one point in our life. Nine out of ten people experience acne and pimples at least once in their life.
Pimples are red and sensitive bumps that crop up when pores in your skin become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, dirt, or any other impurities. And when your pimples are itchy, dry, and large, it is hard to resist popping them.
What are pimple scabs?
Think of scabbing as a natural response to stopping blood loss and healing skin wounds. In fact, scabbing is a good thing. When you pop a pimple, usually there is some blood. And once the platelets in the blood sense the presence of air, they collect at the site of the ruptured pimple to stop the bleeding and scab.
When the clot hardens, a scab appears on the spot. Pimple scabs act as a barrier to protect the injured skin from physical and bacterial invaders. They give your body time to rebuild the skin cells.
And while pimple scabs are helpful, in some people, they cause embarrassment, low self-esteem, and discomfort. The good news is that you can easily learn how to get rid of pimple scabs.
Prevent pimple scabs from doing further damage
When pimple scabs work properly, as mentioned, their role is to protect and repair broken skin cells. However, if you do not let the pimple scabs heal properly, they can get infected, take too long to heal, or in worst cases, lead to scarring. And that is definitely not something you want.
Your body has a great natural healing process. And it is quite effective. However, you also should take a few steps to protect and prevent pimple scabs from doing more damage.
For starters, you should not pick, touch, squeeze or scratch the affected area. The best thing in some cases is to leave the pimple scab alone. It can be itchy and challenging to resist, but you have to resist touching your scab. If you reopen the wound, it can lead to inflammation, more bleeding, and infection.
Another thing you want to make sure is the area is clean. It is important to keep a pimple scab clean and free of any dirt and impurities.
When the scab is dirty, the scab becomes irritated, more bacteria can enter the area, and the result is an infection. You can cleanse your scab using antibacterial soap, wipes, and water, warm compress, or mild face wash.
What is the traditional way of healing pimple scabs?
When you ask how to get rid of pimple scabs, there are two ways. One is using over the counter topical treatments and antibiotic treatments, and the other is using natural remedies. We will talk about both ways.
No matter what you choose, the first step is to gently clean the blemish. If you have just popped the pimples, start cleaning the area immediately. Use a regular facial cleanser, but be gentle. Try not to knock off the scab that is trying to form.
If you want to go the traditional route, there are many options for over the counter topical treatments. In fact, most of them are composed of the natural remedies for acne and pimple scabs, like aloe vera, tea tree oil, salicylic acid, and zinc.
Another option is to treat the popped pimple like an open wound. In this case, you need an over the counter antibiotic ointment. Just apply a tiny amount directly on the popped pimple. Cover the healing pimple with a first-aid ointment or gel, or use the first-aid bandage.
In any case, continue using acne products and prescription acne medications. There is no risk to continue using acne treatments. Most acne medications have antibacterial properties, which also help with pimple scabs.
Natural remedies for how to get rid of pimple scabs
Ice packs
If the popped pimple is swollen, ice is the best natural remedy to try. You can use an ice pack to soothe down the redness and reduce inflammation.
Wrap ice cubes in a soft cloth, or use any cold pack, and apply it over your swollen area. Keep it there for a few minutes at a time, several times per day.
If the popped pimple hasn’t left a swollen area behind, ice packs will not help.
Warm compress
Warm compress feels comforting and helps get rid of pimple scabs at the same time. Applying heat will increase blood flow to the area, improving the skin’s tissue.
To apply a warm compress, get a clean washcloth. Soak it in warm, but not too hot water, and apply to the scab for 10 to 15 minutes. Do not scrub the scab, just hold it gently against the spot. Repeat two times per day for maximum effect.
Tea tree oil
We mentioned that tea tree oil can be found in most over the counter remedies for pimple scabs. It is all thanks to the natural antibacterial properties of the oil. Used for many generations to soothe wounds and speed up the skin healing process, tea tree oil is effective for almost any skin issue.
Clean your face, and then apply a few drops of the oil to a cotton swab. Gently pat the affected area. You can repeat two times per day.
Apple cider vinegar
Known as a folk remedy, apple cider vinegar also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that will cleanse the area, and speed up the healing process.
For this remedy, you need to dilute one part of apple cider vinegar in four parts of water. If you have sensitive skin, do not use this remedy.
Try a patch test. If there are no reactions, apply the solution using a cotton swab to the scab. Do not apply on fresh scabs, as it will sting. Leave the ACV solution for 15 minutes, and then rinse off.
Aloe vera
The gold standard for skin issues, aloe vera is most commonly known as a remedy for sunburn. But you can use it for basically any skin problem, including acne scabs.
The aloe vera gel helps by increasing the production of collagen and speeding up the process of forming new skin surface. In the same time, aloe vera adds moisture to your skin.
Extract fresh aloe vera gel from aloe vera leaves, and then apply it to clean and dry skin. Leave the gel for several hours. It is best if you can leave it overnight. Rinse off in the morning or after a few hours.
Honey
Honey is great for soothing irritated and inflamed skin. In the same time, honey can hydrate your skin, prevent wrinkle formation, and relieve itchiness. Sounds like a dream remedy for pimple scabs, right? Well yes.
Here is how to use it. Start by washing your hands and face. Apply a few dots of honey on your fingers, and then apply on the scab. Cover with a bandage, and leave honey for 20 minutes. Rinse off afterward.
Conclusion
The best way to avoid pimple is to try and resist popping and picking your pimples. However, if you just cannot help yourself, there are remedies that help clear the pimple scabs afterward.
The most important step is keeping the area clean and dry. You do not want to damp the area, as it becomes an even better breeding ground for bacteria. Keeping it clean and dry, and applying natural remedies will help the scab heal faster and prevent any additional infections.
