Most pimples take 1-2 weeks to go away on their own. Some can take up to 6 weeks. Although they can’t be cured overnight, they can be treated with many different methods that have been proven to work such as prescription acne treatments like tretinoin and topical antibiotics.

What does acne cause?

Several factors can cause acne. These include hormonal changes during puberty, such as an increase of the hormones (androgens) that increase the size of the skin’s oil glands and the rate of production of oil (sebum), PCOS, genetics, anxiety disorder, stress, and allergic reactions. Because the causes of a person’s acne will be unique, their treatment should be personalized. What works for you may not work for another person whose acne is caused by something different. Effective treatments are available but acne can be very persistent and you may need to be on treatment as long as you are hormonal (usually through the teen years and sometimes into your college years).

When does acne stop?

It’s common for acne to start between the ages of 10 and 13 and to last for 5 to 10 years or throughout your adult life (depending on your family history). Acne normally goes away with age but may require treatment for at least 5-10 years. Ask your doctor about prescription acne treatment. It beats anything they have over the counter. Although these are statistical averages, it’s impossible to guess how long acne will last for each individual person. Many teens and young adults find that their acne improves as they get older and others have acne into their adult years. 

How long does it take for a pimple to form?

Normally, pimples can take anywhere between 1-2 weeks to fully develop and form. It may seem that they form overnight, but in reality it’s a very long process that involves weeks of development.

The life cycle of a pimple.

Acne starts as tiny bumps called micro comedones that can’t be seen with the naked eye. Oil glands within the skin are stimulated by hormones and enlarge to become overactive and pump out excess oil. Many infected blemishes come from preexisting whiteheads or pimples that are already present in the area within the pores. Bacteria can get stuck behind the blockage and multiply as the skin becomes inflamed with bacteria, inflammatory cells, and oil.

Some steps you can take to help get rid of it quickly.

Acne can be frustrating to deal with, but there are some steps you can take to help get rid of it quickly. Here are some tips:

  1. Keep your face clean: Use a gentle cleanser twice a day to remove excess oil and dirt from your skin. Avoid scrubbing your face too hard or using harsh products that can irritate your skin.
  2. Avoid touching your face: Your hands can carry bacteria that can cause acne, so try to avoid touching your face as much as possible.
  3. Use an acne spot treatment: Apply a spot treatment containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to individual pimples to help dry them out and reduce inflammation.
  4. Apply a warm compress: A warm compress can help to reduce inflammation and bring a pimple to the surface, making it easier to pop or treat.
  5. Don’t pop your pimples: As tempting as it may be, popping your pimples can make them worse and can cause scarring.
  6. Consider medication: If over-the-counter treatments aren’t working, you may want to talk to a dermatologist about prescription medications like topical retinoids or antibiotics.

If over-the-counter treatments aren’t working, You may try:

See a GP if your acne is moderate or severe, or if medicine from your pharmacy has not worked, as you probably need prescription medicine.

Topical retinoids

Topical retinoids work by removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin (exfoliating), which helps prevent them building up within hair follicles. Tretinoin and adapalene are topical retinoids used to treat acne. They’re available in a gel or cream and are usually applied once a day before you go to bed. Apply to all the parts of your face affected by acne 20 minutes after washing your face. It’s important to apply topical retinoids sparingly and avoid excessive exposure to sunlight and UV. Topical retinoids are not suitable for use during pregnancy, as there’s a risk they might cause birth defects. The most common side effects of topical retinoids are mild irritation and stinging of the skin. A 6-week course is usually required, but you may be advised to continue using the medicine less frequently after this.

Topical antibiotics

Topical antibiotics help kill the bacteria on the skin that can infect plugged hair follicles. They’re available as a lotion or gel that’s applied once or twice a day. A 6- to 8-week course is usually recommended. After this, treatment is usually stopped, as there’s a risk that the bacteria on your face could become resistant to the antibiotics. This could make your acne worse and cause additional infections.

Side effects are uncommon, but can include:

  • minor irritation of the skin
  • redness and burning of the skin
  • peeling of the skin

Azelaic acid

Azelaic acid is often used as an alternative treatment for acne if the side effects of benzoyl peroxide or topical retinoids are particularly irritating or painful. Azelaic acid works by getting rid of dead skin and killing bacteria. It’s available as a cream or gel and is usually applied twice a day (or once a day if your skin is particularly sensitive). The medicine does not make your skin sensitive to sunlight, so you do not have to avoid exposure to the sun. You’ll usually need to use azelaic acid for a month before your acne improves.

The side effects of azelaic acid are usually mild and include:

  • burning or stinging skin
  • itchiness
  • dry skin
  • redness of the skin

Antibiotic tablets

Antibiotic tablets (oral antibiotics) are usually used in combination with a topical treatment to treat more severe acne. In most cases, a class of antibiotics called tetracyclines is prescribed, unless you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Pregnant or breastfeeding women are usually advised to take an antibiotic called erythromycin, which is known to be safer to use. It usually takes about 6 weeks before you notice an improvement in your acne. Depending on how well you react to the treatment, a course of oral antibiotics can last 4 to 6 months. Tetracyclines can make your skin sensitive to sunlight and UV light, and can also make the oral contraceptive pill less effective during the first few weeks of treatment. You’ll need to use an alternative method of contraception, such as condoms, during this time.

Co-cyprindiol

Co-cyprindiol is a hormonal treatment that can be used for more severe acne that does not respond to antibiotics. It helps to reduce the production of sebum. You’ll probably have to use co-cyprindiol for 2 to 6 months before you notice a significant improvement in your acne. There’s a small risk that women taking co-cyprindiol may develop breast cancer in later life. For example, out of a group of 10,000 women who have not taken co-cyprindiol, you’d expect 16 of them to develop breast cancer by the time they were 35. This figure rises to 17 or 18 for women who were treated with co-cyprindiol for at least 5 years in their early 20s. There’s also a very small chance of co-cyprindiol causing a blood clot. The risk is estimated to be around 1 in 2,500 in any given year. It’s not thought to be safe to take co-cyprinid if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Women may need to have a pregnancy test before treatment can begin.

Other side effects of co-cyprindiol include:

  • headaches
  • sore breasts
  • mood changes
  • loss of interest in sex
  • weight gain or weight loss

Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin is a treatment for severe acne that comes in capsules. It has a number of beneficial effects:

  • it helps normalise sebum and reduce how much is produced
  • it helps prevent follicles becoming clogged
  • it decreases the amount of bacteria on the skin
  • it reduces redness and swelling in and around spots

But the drug can also cause a wide range of side effects. It’s only recommended for severe cases of acne that have not responded to other treatments. Because of the risk of side effects, isotretinoin can only be prescribed by a specialist doctor. Read all about isotretinoin, including who can take it, side effects and the risks in pregnancy.

Non-pharmaceutical treatments

Several treatments for acne do not involve medicine. You may be recommended to have photodynamic therapy, where light is applied to the skin in an attempt to improve symptoms of acne.

Other non-pharmaceutical treatments include:

  • comedone extractor – a small pen-shaped instrument that can be used to clean out blackheads and whiteheads
  • chemical peels – where a chemical solution is applied to the face, causing the skin to peel off and new skin to replace it

But these treatments may not work and cannot be routinely recommended.