Toothpaste for pimples

introduction

Pimples are a vice that can burden not only adolescents but also adults. A pimple is an inflamed, blocked sebum gland. Germs and bacteria get into the sebum through dirt, whereupon the sebum can no longer drain away.
There are countless home remedies that promise success in combating pimples - toothpaste is also said to heal pimples quickly and make them go away. Experience reports speak of a miracle effect. But what is true about it and how does the toothpaste work on clogged, inflamed sebum glands? Or can toothpaste even make a pimple inflammation worse?

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Does the use of toothpaste make sense at all?

There are testimonials from users who treated individual pimples with toothpaste and found positive effects. However, only the dehydration component of the toothpaste is conducive to the healing of the pimple. The other ingredients are counterproductive and encourage the inflammation to spread. For this reason, the use of toothpaste does not make sense.

Although an alleged improvement is initially visible due to the rapid dehydration, if the toothpaste is removed, the skin situation is worsened due to increased inflammation. Many of the ingredients in toothpaste are not suitable for external use. Therefore, from a medical point of view, the use of toothpaste against pimples is not advisable.

How does the toothpaste work on the pimple?

The ingredients in the toothpaste work in different ways. First, the substance sodium dodecyl polysulphate takes effect. The sodium dodecyl polysulphate has a strong fat dissolving effect, which is why the pimple is dried out. The toothpaste covers the pimple and the discharge of the secretion is stopped by the drying process.

Toothpaste also contains the ingredients sorbitol, menthol and fluoride, which are supposed to protect the hard tooth substances. These ingredients are not suitable for external use on the skin.

Therefore, when the toothpaste is applied, the skin may burn severely. The substances are too aggressive for the skin and irritate it. They also have an inflammation-promoting effect. The toothpaste, which hardens after a short time, forms a solid barrier. The pimple is sealed in this way and cannot empty. The bacteria remain in the sebum and it cannot heal. The skin cannot breathe under the layer and the bacteria multiply more and more.

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What result can be expected after the application?

When treating a pimple with toothpaste, an alleged improvement is visible due to the rapid drying out due to the active ingredient sodium dodecyl polysulphate.
If the hardened toothpaste is removed after a while, the effectiveness of the other ingredients in the toothpaste becomes visible. Menthol, fluoride and sorbitol intensify the inflammation of the sebum gland. The body's mediators of inflammation multiply and amplify the external signs of inflammation. The skin around the pimple is reddened, irritated and a feeling of pressure can be felt. Severe inflammation often causes very painful pimples.

The situation was made even worse by the application of the toothpaste and the healing of the inflammation is also significantly prolonged by the toothpaste. Therefore, using toothpaste outside of the mouth is not recommended!

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How long should I leave the toothpaste on the pimple?

The toothpaste should ideally be used for dental care according to its intended use and not for skin diseases.

If you really want to experiment, you should leave toothpaste on a pimple for a maximum of one hour. The following applies: the longer the toothpaste remains on the blocked sebum, the stronger the stimulus and the subsequent inflammation.

How do I use the toothpaste on the pimples?

As already mentioned, toothpaste has no place outside of the mouth. If you still can't help it, you should adhere to the following:
In general, the use of whitening toothpastes should be rejected, as the bleaching ingredients damage the skin. Before use, it is important to thoroughly clean the face of all bacteria and debris. It is advisable to use soap and water for this. After a short time you can already feel that the toothpaste has hardened. After the exposure time, the toothpaste can be carefully removed with water.

The use of toothpaste should be reconsidered in any case due to its negative effects. It is not recommended from a medical point of view. Alternatives such as zinc ointment or the like should be considered. Consultation with the treating dermatologist should be made in the event of persistent complaints.