There are some days when seeing a big, juicy red zit on your face feels like the world, and the day right before your wedding tops the list. It is common knowledge that stress can trigger acne and we wouldn’t be wrong to say that planning a wedding can be one of the most tension-inducing things ever, right? No one likes last-minute changes–especially skin-related–but we know just how to adapt, improvise and overcome such situations thanks to the expert advice of Dr Kiran Sethi, dermatologist and founder of Delhi-based clinic Isya Derm.
The course of action to deal with unexpected skin guests depends on the duration of the wedding day. Here’s a breakdown of what to do when a pimple pops up…
Seven days to D-Day
“Make sure you’re eating healthy. Avoid dairy and glycemic foods and drink lots of water. Treat the breakout with a topical antibiotic cream twice a day,” explains Dr Sethi. She suggests adding a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid spot treatment once a day on the zit. If you’re dealing with a big pimple, use Vaseline petroleum jelly. It is known to keep skin moist which helps with healing the wound quicker.
Three days to D-Day
As you get closer to your wedding day, you may feel the urge to pop the zit but trust Dr Sethi and just don’t touch it. “Talk to your doctor and tweak your skincare routine as recommended. Apply a topical antibiotic cream and tea tree oil once a day,” she suggests. She also recommends staying away from products that contain benzoyl peroxide as it can cause skin irritation, which you may not have time to fix.
The night before D-Day
This isn’t the time for any last-minute DIY concoctions. “Ice the zit one or two times a day and apply a topical antibiotic ointment daily. Again, apply petroleum jelly and keep your skin moisturised,” Dr Sethi.