As you may know, there are many types of acne. A dermatologist near you can help determine what type(s) you have. Additionally, they can inform you as to whether you need a prescription to treat your acne or if you can use an over-the-counter (OTC) medication.
A common type of OTC acne and pimple medicine is an acne spot treatment. For those who want to try this type of treatment, you may be wondering, “when should I use acne spot treatment?”
Read this article to get the answer to your question and to find out if acne spot treatment could heal or benefit your current breakout.
When Should I Use Acne Spot Treatment?
There are two answers to this question of “when.”
First, spot treatment can be used to treat post-acne spots, active acne (when there are only a few random lumps on the skin), and dark spots left behind by acne.
In contrast to other treatments for acne, you need to apply this one topically to the trouble spots present on the skin. It should not be applied to the entire face.
Next, once you’ve identified situations when you can use acne spot treatment, the question becomes what time of day is best to use it?
When in the Day to Apply Acne Spot Treatment
Spot treatments are typically applied at bedtime. It is crucial to ensure that you have cleansed, toned, and moisturized your skin before the application of the spot treatment.
After your skin is clean, apply the treatment to the affected area with a cotton swab or clean hand and allow it to sit there overnight.
It is recommended to apply spot treatments at night after cleansing and toning, but before applying serums and creams. That is the general rule that should be followed.
The Importance of Applying Treatments to Clean Skin
Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist, and a Skincare.com specialist, states that the active components in the spot treatment will generally be most effective when applied to clean skin.
According to Dr. King, applying a spot treatment on top of a thicker serum, cream, or face oil may cause the treatment to become less effective or may dilute the other product.
After applying your spot treatment, allow one to two minutes for it to dry completely. It is best to avoid applying any other product right on top of it if possible since this will prevent it from diluting or moving around on your face.
The only exception to this rule is if the spot treatment you’re employing is itchy or dry. In this instance, Dr. King recommends that you apply a thin layer of moisturizer before your spot treatment to assist in reducing the severity of any unwanted effects.
Other Tips for Treatment Application
It is also essential to note that using a product containing chemical exfoliants either before or after a spot treatment can irritate the skin.
Because of this, it is best to either avoid the affected area when using a spot treatment or skip using the product altogether.
If you want to wear an acne patch during the day, you should complete your usual morning rituals and apply the patch on top.
What happens if you use too much acne spot treatment? Let’s explore this below.
Precautions on Overuse of Acne Spot Treatment
The sebaceous glands on the surface of your skin are connected to the rest of your body through a network of pores, which the medical community compares to pipes.
These can become clogged at any time, which can lead to acne. Because of this, it is best to use active ingredients (in the form of a toner, serum, or cream) all over to ensure that you are not constantly playing catch-up with your acne treatment.
The skin will become drier and more prone to irritation if you use any spot treatment product more frequently than recommended. The end consequence may be an uncomfortably dry, red, and flaky pimple. A good rule of thumb is that applying a treatment more than twice daily is too much.
