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Wash your hands and your face. Absorb excess oil. Avoid using toothpaste. Apply a redness-reducing eye drop. Apply a cold compress to relieve inflammation. Keep your fingers away from pimples. Remove stubborn or large pimples.

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Before you begin any treatments to reduce the size of a pimple, clean your face and hands. This can help minimize the risk of spreading bacteria that could enlarge a pimple or cause further breakouts.  You can wash your hands with any soap and water, which is effective at removing bacteria. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser specifically designed for your facial skin. This may help prevent further irritation inflammation of the pimple. Use topical product to absorb excess oil, which can inflame pimples. These preparations can not only help remove oil, but also kill bacteria that cause pimples.  You can use an over the counter salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or sulfur treatment, or have your doctor prescribe one for more severe pimples.  A clay mask may help absorb excess oil and purify your skin.  You can use oil blotting papers to soak up excess oil all over your face, which may help reduce the pimple.  Be sure to follow your doctor’s or package directions to help ensure that you don’t overuse products and further irritate the pimple. You can purchase most oil absorbing products at pharmacies and some grocery stores. Online cosmetics retailers also offer these products. Some people use toothpaste to absorb excess oil and decrease a pimple quickly. Doctors don’t suggest this method because there are so many different kinds of toothpaste, which can irritate or even damage your skin. Ingredients in whitening or tartar-reducing toothpastes can make a pimple more red, inflamed and noticeable. It’s best to err on the side of caution if you’re contemplating using toothpaste on a pimple. Use an eye drop formulated to reduce red eye to help relieve inflammation of a pimple. Although this isn’t a long-lasting treatment, repeated application may help reduce the size and inflammation of a pimple.  You may notice a difference in the size of a pimple after only 30 minutes.  You can apply the eye drops directly to the pimple or with a cotton swab.  Redness-relieving eye drops are available at most pharmacies and some grocery stores. Inflammation often causes a pimple to be large and painful. Cold packs or compresses can help relieve inflammation associated with acne by constricting blood flow and cooling the skin. It may also quickly reduce the size of your pimple.  You can place a cold or cool compress on your pimple intermittently for 10 to 15 minutes, as needed. Consider following up a cold compress with an application of eye drops to further help reduce the pimple’s size. You may be tempted to touch or pick at the pimple, but avoid the temptation to remove it this way. Picking at and touching your skin can spread oil and bacteria and may cause further inflammation or acne. Picking or touching your skin may also cause further irritation. In some cases, you may have a large or stubborn pimple, or whitehead, that won’t disappear. You can safely remove this kind of pimple with a comedone extractor, but only use the tool for large pimples that have broken the skin. However, you may want to talk to your doctor before using a comedone extractor so that you don't make things worse.  You can purchase a comedone extractor at most pharmacies and other retailers that sell skincare products.  Make sure to cleanse your skin before you use the tool so that you minimize the risk of spreading bacteria. Always sterilize the tool with rubbing alcohol before and after you use it to prevent reinfection. Warm your skin with a warm compress for a minute or two before you use the extractor.  Don’t force the pimple out of your skin. If it doesn’t come out after the first try, leave it for a few days to help minimize irritation and encourage healing.  Follow the instructions on how to use the extractor most effectively.