How to quickly get rid of a spot on the face?

Transparent and rather thin, anti-spot patches containing hydrocolloid gel (a group of long-chain polymers), such as carboxymethylcellulose, gelatine or pectin, can be a good solution against spots. They help to speed up healing by creating a moist environment. Similarly, they work by draining all the fluid from the spot, which can help to make it appear less swollen and slightly smaller. Anti-spot patches also prevent you from handling the spot, in addition to masking the blemish and protecting it from infections.

Hydrocolloid patches do not work on all types of spots. They are particularly effective on raised spots (excluding closed comedones and cysts) or those with visible pus.

Whilst they can generally be worn all night or up to 24 hours, they do not help to make a spot disappear overnight. Current studies estimate that it is necessary to use them for several days (approximately 6 days) before seeing results. However, hydrocolloid patches are not the most effective treatment against acne spots. Indeed, they do not kill bacteria. Furthermore, if you use a patch, avoid applying topical acne treatments under the dressing, as not only does this reduce their adhesion but it can also cause irritation in some cases.

While hydrocolloid gel patches typically contain no active ingredients, some may already include them (niacinamide, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, etc.). These are particularly added to combat the pimple and help reduce inflammation. Recently, there is also another type of anti-pimple patch: microneedle patches equipped with several fine and tiny points that aid in enhancing the diffusion of active ingredients into the skin cells.

Misconception No. 2 : Attempting to pop, squeeze, burst or scratch a spot will only worsen the situation. Indeed, this will not help it disappear any faster, apart from making it even more red and painful. Moreover, this can damage the skin, promote inflammation and irritation, exacerbate acne, delay healing, lead to the formation of infections and increase the risk of lasting scars.

After gently washing your skin and applying an ice cube or warm compress to the spot for a few minutes, you can proceed to use an over-the-counter targeted treatment, which typically contains either 2.5% benzoyl peroxide or 2% salicylic acid, to dry out the spot. By following these steps before going to sleep, the spot may look better by the next morning.

• Benzoyl Peroxide: Whether in the form of a cream, gel, or patch, benzoyl peroxide is a common ingredient against spots, which has been around for many years. It works primarily by killing the bacteria responsible for spots, in addition to unclogging pores from the accumulation of dead cells. Benzoyl peroxide in over-the-counter products is available at concentrations ranging from 2.5% to 10%. However, it can have a drying and irritating effect on the skin. Therefore, start with a lower concentration, especially if you have sensitive skin, and gradually increase the dose if you do not see results.

  In a study (n = 153), the effect of benzoyl peroxide gels at different concentrations (2.5; 5 and 10%) was compared. After two weeks of topical application, it was found that the 2.5% formulation was equivalent to the other two concentrations in reducing inflammatory lesions with less frequent adverse effects.

• Salicylic Acid: Present in a number of over-the-counter products, another common ingredient is salicylic acid. This fat-soluble β-hydroxy acid (BHA) is known for its keratolytic action that promotes the removal of dead skin cells from clogged pores, its minor anti-inflammatory effect to reduce redness and swelling, its seboregulatory effects to decrease sebum production, and its bacteriostatic properties to slow down the growth and proliferation of bacteria such as Cutibacterium acnes, the microorganism responsible for the inflammatory reactions of acne. Only preparations containing 0.5 to 2% salicylic acid are recommended.

Misconception No. : In the absence of applying a salicylic acid treatment, some people resort to using aspirin. They crush one or two tablets, then mix them with a few drops of water to make a paste and apply it to the spot. However, the active ingredient in aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid. It is often likened to salicylic acid, but it is not the same molecule. Moreover, there is currently no scientific evidence of the benefits of topical aspirin in the treatment of acne.

More considered as a temporary solution than a long-term one, the 1% topical hydrocortisone cream, a synthetic form of the hormone cortisol, can help against acne spots, to a certain extent, by improving the appearance of inflammatory spots. Indeed, it helps to calm the inflammation associated with spots and reduce the swollen appearance.

Given the adverse effects often associated with traditional treatments (irritation, skin dryness, burning sensation, etc.), some individuals wish to try "natural" alternatives for quickly getting rid of a spot. Moreover, botanical therapies may have the added benefit of possessing multiple modes of action due to their biochemical composition made up of a variety of active molecules. However, while there are many, only a few of them are "scientifically proven" such as tea tree essential oil, one of the most popular alternative remedies, although its action on acne has been subject to limited research.

Besides tea tree essential oil, thegreen tea extract, Copaiba essential oil and clove essential oil have also demonstrated their ability to reduce spots.

Extracted from the leaves of the indigenous Australian tree Melaleuca alternifolia, thetea tree essential oil (INCI: Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil) has demonstrated some anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial activity. Studies have shown that a small amount of diluted tea tree essential oil can reduce the number of blemishes in patients suffering from mild to moderate acne.

For instance, a single-blind randomised clinical trial on 124 patients conducted by BARNETSON R. S. and his colleagues revealed that 5% tea tree essential oil in a water-based gel proved to be as effective in reducing inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions as a 5% benzoyl peroxide lotion, although the tea tree essential oil did not act as quickly as the benzoyl peroxide.

In another study, a gel containing 5% tea tree oil was found to be almost four times more effective in reducing both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions, and almost six times more effective in reducing the severity of acne than a placebo, that is, a gel with no active ingredients. Although tea tree essential oil does not make a spot disappear in a day, it appears to be effective in reducing an acne spot, while causing fewer side effects.

Despite its proven effectiveness, the European Commission does not regulate the claims of tea tree essential oil on spots. Therefore, it is advised to remain cautious about its use and always perform a skin test before using it.

How to use tea tree essential oil for a spot?

Highly concentrated, it is important to note that tea tree essential oil should never be applied directly to the skin. Therefore, ensure to dilute a drop oftea tree essential oil in a teaspoon of vegetable oil, before applying it with a cotton swab directly to the spot once or twice a day.

Misconception No. 4 : Apart from toothpaste and aspirin, the use of other "natural" remedies should be avoided, such as apple cider vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or lemon juice.

In the case of a particularly stubborn spot (inflammatory acne nodules), the quickest and most effective way to get rid of it is to receive a cortisone injection (triamcinolone acetonide at a concentration of 2.5 mg/mL) from a dermatologist directly into the spot. Administered with a syringe equipped with a very fine needle, the cortisone injection contains a steroid that reduces the swollen tissue of the spot and relieves inflammation, allowing it to heal. You will notice a visible improvement within 24 hours. However, steroid injections are generally reserved for the most severe types of acne and should not be a first-choice solution for treating inflammatory acne. Additionally, this therapy can potentially lead to local skin atrophy.

Misconception No.5 : It is also not possible to eliminate a spot through exfoliation. On the contrary, overly harsh exfoliation could potentially worsen acne.

Externally applied, cryotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment during which a very low temperature substance (cryogen), such as liquid nitrogen, argon gas, carbon dioxide or liquid nitrous oxide, is applied to the tissue via a spray device or a cotton swab. Already used to treat various skin conditions (warts, etc.), this therapy is also considered effective in treating acne spots, supported by several clinical studies. Cystic acne lesions would almost invariably disappear after a few sessions of cryotherapy. According to some studies, exposure to extreme cold could reduce the appearance of a spot by causing lesions on the spot's wall, which promotes the infiltration of immune cells, blocks the production of sebum, and induces the release of fewer pro-inflammatory molecules.

Cryotherapy is not effective against comedonal acne. It has been particularly used for a long time to treat nodulocystic and keloid lesions.