There is probably not a single person in the world who does not know about the properties of iodine. In medicine, the drug is used very widely, since this alcohol solution actively affects various fungi, viruses, and bacteria.
Many people at different times discovered the unusual use of iodine - they burned pimples with this “corrosive” liquid . And they continue to cauterize to this day, rejecting the most modern medications.
It is not surprising that iodine for acne has many active adherents and equally ardent opponents .
Does iodine help with acne on the face?
The use of an alcohol solution of iodine against acne on the face has been known since the times when special means to combat inflammation did not even exist. Most often, people with oily skin suffer from acne. That is why this solution has gained such popularity. It has the ability to dry the skin and also remove excess oil, which most often causes acne.
Dermatologists do not give clear advice on treating acne with iodine as the only remedy. Some say that its use is enough to clear the skin of acne. Others claim that it can be used as a last resort when no other means are available. Before you test whether iodine helps with acne or not, you need to eliminate the cause of the problem on your face, and then take comprehensive care of your skin.
Photo: Before and after
See what to do if you break out with acne. How to treat a purulent pimple on the lip? Find out further.
How to deal with a purulent pimple in a child?
The answer is here. We looked at the effect of iodine on acne, contraindications, as well as the dangers associated with the use of such treatment.
This is all very important to consider when deciding whether you will treat acne with iodine. After all, it can not only eliminate this problem, but in some cases, aggravate the situation.
Is it possible to burn acne with iodine?
The main factor that provokes the appearance of acne is the spread of pathogenic bacteria in the upper layers of the skin, which feed on the products of excessive work of the sebaceous glands. You can burn acne with iodine if you follow certain rules of use:
- Before cauterizing acne, your face should be washed with a mild cleansing gel to avoid dry skin;
- for cauterization, you can take a cotton swab;
- then the cotton swab is treated with iodine solution and the inflamed area is cauterized several times;
- It should be remembered that the solution leaves yellow marks, so it is best to cauterize at night or when going outside is not required.
Important! Iodine should be used precisely for acne. If you apply it as a continuous mask to your face, you can get burned.
To check the real effect of iodine, it is recommended to apply it to acne for 5-7 days. If the product is effective, the result will be visible after the first procedures. Otherwise, it is better to replace the iodine solution with a more professional product.
Treatment rules
Before using iodine to treat acne, consult a specialist. He will tell you about the rules of treatment, prescribe acceptable doses of the drug and explain how to avoid side effects.
In no case exceed the dose of iodine prescribed by your doctor, this will lead to burns and allergic reactions.
To treat your skin with iodine you will need:
- alcohol iodine solution;
- antibacterial cream;
- cotton buds;
- gentle cleanser.
To use iodine to get rid of inflammation on the skin, you need to carry out the procedure in 3 stages:
Skin cleansing
Before applying the iodine alcohol solution, clean the skin with a special antibacterial cleanser.
It can be purchased at a pharmacy or beauty store.
Do not use soap for these purposes; it will dry out the skin and may cause an allergic reaction to iodine.
Spot application of iodine
Soak a cotton swab in iodine and apply it to the pimples.
Each inflammation is cauterized for several minutes.
Iodine will dry out pimples and speed up the process of disappearance of purulent inflammation.
Do not hold the iodine cotton swab for too long. This will lead to skin damage and burns.
What happens if you burn a pimple with iodine?
A special feature of the product is its disinfectant property. When used correctly, you can achieve beneficial results, especially in the initial stages of acne:
- drying out acne redness, which then crusts over and goes away faster;
- reduction of skin oiliness;
- Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, harmful bacteria, the causative agents of acne, are suppressed.
You should burn pimples no more than 2 times a day to avoid burns and oversaturation with iodine.
How to get rid of acne with iodine
Inflammatory processes on the face have different forms and origins. Not in all cases, an iodine solution may be an effective remedy.
Iodine for acne
There are many types of acne and they can have different causes. If the main reason lies in poor-quality cosmetics or urban pollution, then iodine is an excellent remedy for eliminating acne. You can also combine treatment with salicylic alcohol. To do this, iodine is applied pointwise to acne before bedtime, and in the morning the same places are treated with salicylic alcohol.
Iodine for blackheads
In another way, blackheads are called open comedones. This is a problem that occurs when the pores become clogged with dead skin, dust or dirt. From above, these blockages are clogged with sebum. Most often, blackheads appear in places where the sebaceous glands are most active: on the forehead, nose, and chin. In this case, iodine solution is a weak assistant, since its main actions are to cauterize and dry out inflammatory processes on the face. While blackheads should be gotten rid of in more gentle ways.
Important! For blackheads, a more effective remedy is a lotion of salt, water and a couple of drops of iodine. They should not be used too often.
Iodine for subcutaneous acne
Pimples located under the skin, although they do not cause aesthetic discomfort, still cause trouble in the form of a swollen bump and pain when touched. Their appearance is associated with an increase in the level of male hormones in the body. In this case, the sebaceous glands begin to actively produce and attract bacteria, which begin to multiply intensively. Since iodine is an effective antimicrobial agent, its use in this case is justified.
Iodine for purulent acne
Pustules or pustules are pus-filled balls surrounded by reddened skin. It is not recommended to cauterize the abscess itself with iodine. You can use it as a disinfectant. To do this, use a cotton swab dipped in iodine to apply the product precisely around the purulent pimple. It will not completely get rid of acne, but it will help them become smaller and not develop further on the face.
Important! Forced opening of the pus will lead to the fact that the very next day a new abscess may appear in the same place or not far from the inflammation.
Iodine for acne spots
Acne treatment often leaves spots, sometimes even scars or welts. Since the remedy to eliminate them must be aimed at whitening or have a healing effect, we can safely say that iodine is powerless in this case. Still, this product disinfects, but does not eliminate such problems.
Tips for use
Iodine can leave traces on the skin. Therefore, it is recommended to apply this product before bedtime. It will have time to be absorbed into the skin and will not leave brown spots on it.
After applying the composition, you should not seal these areas with adhesive tape. It is important that the skin has the opportunity to breathe. Otherwise, there is a risk of creating conditions for the development of inflammatory processes.
In addition, violation of this rule can lead to a burn on the skin. Numerous reviews indicate that improper use of iodine can lead to negative consequences.
It is recommended to alternate the use of this drug for the treatment of acne with medications. It is also worth using medicated creams and ointments periodically.
Iodine should not be used during pregnancy. Also, do not use the product to treat children under 2 years of age.
To cope with purulent rashes, it is necessary to use several remedies simultaneously. Most often, doctors advise using a composition based on iodine, alcohol and calendula tincture. All components must be mixed and applied to the skin twice a day.
Recipes for masks with iodine against acne
It is generally accepted that masks with this solution only have an antibacterial effect on the skin. In fact, this property is enough to make various defects on the skin of the face, if not disappear, then become less noticeable. The main condition for using iodine in recipes is compliance with the dosage. If you add a little more of it, you can get indelible yellowness for several days.
Iodine plus parsley
The green, curly plant is popularly called the “female plant.” Parsley copes well not only with acne, but also with pigmentation, swelling under the eyes, and evens out the complexion. All parts of the plant except the roots can be used for cosmetic purposes. Before making the mask, parsley should be finely chopped with a knife or in a blender. For the mask you will need 4 tsp. chopped parsley and a couple of drops of iodine. The mixture is mixed and then evenly applied to the face. In this case, avoid contact of components with eyes. After 15 minutes, the mask can be washed off.
Iodine plus honey
In addition to iodine and honey, you will also need squeezed lemon juice and three percent hydrogen peroxide. This complex mask is aimed at cleansing the skin of acne, blackheads, as well as brightening and softening it. To make a mask you will need:
- a couple of drops of iodine solution;
- a couple of drops of hydrogen peroxide;
- liquid honey – 4 tsp;
- lemon juice – 1-2 tsp.
All ingredients are thoroughly mixed with each other. Then the resulting mass is applied to the entire surface of the face in a thin layer. The mask is washed off 15-20 minutes after application under running water at room temperature. Then the skin should be dried with a towel and moisturized with cream.
Iodine plus castor oil
The benefits of castor oil have been proven many times. It contains a lot of useful substances, including ricinoleic acid. It activates the regeneration of cellular processes, moisturizes and nourishes the skin. In combination with an iodine solution, castor oil has a cleansing effect, especially for problem skin. For the mask you will need:
- a couple of drops of iodine;
- 2 tsp. castor oil;
- 2 tsp. liquid honey.
All components are mixed into a homogeneous mass, which should then be applied to the face in a uniform layer. After 15 minutes, wash off the mask and wipe your face dry with a towel. You can consolidate the effect with a moisturizer.
Aloe-based iodine mask
Many housewives have agave in their homes. Easy to care for, aloe can have enormous benefits for your appearance. The most important property of aloe is hydration. Since iodine dries out the skin, the presence of aloe in the mask will balance the effect. For the mask you need:
- 2 tsp. aloe juice;
- 2 drops of iodine;
- 2 tablets of streptocide (optional).
First, streptocide tablets are crushed, into which aloe juice should then be added and mixed until the streptocide is completely dissolved. At the end iodine is added. This mask is applied directly to pimples, blackheads, and acne spots. It is advisable to use the mask before bed and leave it overnight.
Contraindications
External use of the solution is contraindicated in a number of cases:
- in case of an allergic reaction of the body;
- for diseases of the thyroid gland;
- for dry skin prone to flaking;
- during pregnancy;
- children under 5 years old.
Long-term treatment of acne with iodine can provoke a phenomenon called iodism. It is expressed in the appearance:
- unpleasant odor from the mouth;
- rhinitis;
- hives;
- Quincke's edema;
- increased salivation;
- thirst;
- sore throat;
- rapid fatigue.
It is also possible to worsen the problem of acne, since if consumed in excess, iodine comes out and provokes inflammation of the skin.
Reviews
Are you looking for whether you can smear iodine on acne or how it can help smooth out wrinkles? Reviews are good because they convey real experience of using the drug.
Many speak positively about the use of iodine - especially about spot cauterization and anti-aging masks.
However, there are those who are disappointed and injured, but mostly those who applied iodine incorrectly. Often the pimple is burned for too long or used in its pure form on very dry skin or in incorrect doses and for too long - hence the problems.
If you act wisely, taking into account contraindications and recommendations for use, iodine will turn out to be an effective remedy and will not harm.
