By Nasrin Mani, M.D.
Acne is a common skin condition affecting many people in their teens and early 20s. It can have a devastating impact on your appearance and lead to self-consciousness. As a result, people often will try just about any remedy that may clear up a bad acne breakout.
One common at-home technique that many people will try is applying toothpaste to a pimple. But is this method actually effective?
Toothpaste contains several ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, menthol, and alcohol which can cause pimples to dry out. However, it is important to remember that toothpaste is meant for your teeth, not your skin. While it may dry out pimples, toothpaste will also irritate your skin, causing redness and peeling.
If you are in a bind and do not have any proper acne medication in the house, toothpaste may prove to be an acceptable short term substitute. However, it should not be used as your primary acne treatment.
At La Jolla Cosmetic Laser Clinic, we offer a variety of treatments clinically proven to improve the appearance of acne. These include:
During your initial consultation, Dr. Mani will evaluate the severity of your acne and recommend the ideal treatment method to achieve your desired results.
Please contact La Jolla Cosmetic Laser Clinic today to schedule your initial acne consultation. Dr. Mani serves patients in La Jolla and San Diego, California.