Toothpaste for Pimples
Do you want to use toothpaste for pimples? Are you wondering how long to keep and does it work on not? Get more insights on the usage of toothpaste for treating pimples, possible side effects and other alternatives you can use.
Have you lately developed pimples that just won’t go away easily? Well, if yes, you must have surely heard about a lot of home remedies for getting rid of your pimples. Use of toothpaste for pimples must definitely be on top of the list of advices that you have got. But hold on! Before using toothpaste for pimples, make sure that you have read this article carefully so that you don’t end up leaving your skin red and inflamed.
Does using Toothpaste for Pimples really work?
Some people can vouch that toothpaste dries up their pimples really fast. Now you must be wondering where did this idea of using toothpaste for curing pimples come from. The idea of using toothpaste for pimples originated from the fact that most of the toothpaste consist of a compound called triclosan, which has antibacterial properties. Most of the acne treatment products also contain triclosan, however it is used as a preservative and not as an antibacterial agent.
Pimples occur when the hair follicles are blocked due to overproduction of oil which triggers a bacterial infection. Pimples may occur due to pollution, lack of nourishment, hormonal imbalance or even stress. Studies have proved that triclosan can kill the acne- causing organism (Propionibacterium acne). However, it has to be formulated and applied in a proper way to demonstrate its effect against acne. Using any product containing triclosan, for example, toothpaste won’t really prove to be beneficial always. In some cases, toothpaste may prove to be beneficial in getting rid of the pimples. Some toothpaste contain baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and silica along with triclosan.
Therefore, toothpaste may help in removing out the toxins and drying out the pimples. Silica is known to reduce inflammation on the skin. The contents of the toothpaste may also help in absorbing the excess oil on your skin.
Side effects of using Toothpaste for Pimples
Toothpaste may prove to be useful to immediately reduce the size of your pimples and make them less visible. Albeit, it may damage your skin irreversibly in the long run. Toothpaste contains chemicals that may cause your skin to peel off.
Also, it is important for you to know that toothpaste on the already red and inflamed pimple may just worsen the situation by causing irritation to the skin. You may also suffer from a chemical burn or your skin may turn sore after application of toothpaste on pimples.
Finding the Right Toothpaste for your Skin
If you decide to try using toothpaste to cure your pimples even after knowing the possible side effects, here are a few tips to help you choose the right toothpaste.
Choose a white- colored toothpaste
The triclosan that is going to help in healing your pimples is present in the white part of the toothpaste. Do not use colored toothpaste on the affected skin. It may cause irritation to your skin.
Use organic toothpaste
If at all you choose to use toothpaste to get rid of your pimples, organic toothpaste would be the best and safest option for you. Organic toothpaste generally do not have any added fluoride or any other compound that may potentially cause irritation to your skin. At the same time, it contains substances such as baking soda, tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil which will soothe your skin and help in healing the pimples.
Do not use teeth-whitening toothpaste
Teeth- whitening toothpaste contain bleach which may cause further irritation to your skin. In fact, it may even bleach or burn the part of the skin on which you apply it, especially if you have a dark skin. People with fair skin are less prone to blemishes occurring due to whitening toothpaste, as they have less melanin in the skin and therefore have less reactive skin. However, it is advisable to avoid the use of whitening toothpaste irrespective of your skin type.
Do not use gel based toothpaste
Gel based toothpaste have a different consistency and may not contain the antibacterial triclosan. Using gel-based toothpaste will not have any effect on your pimples; therefore, you might as well just avoid using it.
Check for the fluoride content in the toothpaste
Usually toothpaste contains nearly 95% fluoride in order to help remove the plaque and bacteria that cause gum disease. However, some people are allergic to fluoride and may suffer from severe skin rashes when their skin comes in contact with it. Therefore, to prevent any allergy or skin irritation, it is advisable to use toothpaste which have very little or no fluoride when you are using it to heal pimples.
Is Your Skin Suitable?
Before deciding to use toothpaste to cure your pimples, take the patch test to know whether your skin is allergic to the toothpaste. Apply the toothpaste you have chosen on a small patch on your skin. If you experience burning, itching or redness on your skin, back off! You may be allergic to the toothpaste. Therefore, you must not apply it on your face to get rid of your pimples.
Does Toothpaste help in Getting rid of Pimples Overnight?
You may get baffled if you have a very important event to attend the next day and unfortunately you have a breakout of pimples. If you are considering use of toothpaste in this situation with the hope that you can get rid of it overnight, you are wrong. It just dries the skin and may prove to be of temporary help in making the pimples look less prominent. However, you may just end up damaging your skin in the long run.
How to Apply Toothpaste on your Skin for Treatment of Pimples
- First wash your face thoroughly using a mild face wash to ensure that there is no dirt or sweat on the skin of your face. Then gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel.
- Squeeze a pea- sized amount of toothpaste on your index finger and apply it directly on the pimples without bringing it in contact with the surrounding skin. Never spread the toothpaste on the skin surrounding the pimple as it may cause irritation, burning and peeling of the skin.
- Now leave the toothpaste on the pimple for approximately 2-3 hours. Then clean the toothpaste by wiping it off in circular motion using a damp soft cloth.
- Once you remove all the toothpaste, splash some warm water on your face and pat your skin dry with a clean cloth. You may apply some moisturizer on your skin if you feel that your skin has turned very dry or tight. This procedure should be one for a maximum of four times a week.
- You may add some honey, garlic oil, baking soda or tea tree oil in your toothpaste before applying it on your pimples. These act as natural antibacterial agents and may also provide relief to the redness and inflammation on your skin.
Alternatives to Toothpaste for Treatment for Pimples
Instead of toothpaste, you may use an acne spot treatment. These products contain compounds like sulfur, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide which will help in reducing the redness and speeding the healing procedure. You may alternatively try baking soda tea tree oil, sulfur based soaps, salicylic acid, steam cleaning or banana peels to get rid of your pimples.
Points to be kept in mind while using Toothpaste for Pimples
- Toothpaste contains menthol and fluoride that may cause a lot of irritation to your skin.
- Do not apply toothpaste on your pimples if it is already red and inflamed.
- Before applying toothpaste on the pimples, do a patch test to make sure you are not allergic to it.
- Make sure you do not apply any toothpaste that contains substances that you may be allergic to.
- Toothpaste dries out the skin and may make it look patchy and peeled off.
- Remember that toothpaste is only a quick fix for pimples and is not a dermatological cure. It should not be used if you experience any irritation on your skin after application.
- Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables and drink lots of water to avoid pimples from occurring in the first place.
- Breathing exercises and meditation also helps in reducing the occurrence of pimples.
If you get pimples on your face repetitively, you should visit your dermatologist to find a proper solution to get rid of your pimples.
