Skin Purging – How To Identify And Treat It

Sep 06, 2021 - Leave a comment

Read to Know How to Identify and Get Rid of Skin Purging

Skin purging is a skin condition in which the skin clears itself of impurities. This includes dead cells, bacteria, and other substances that build upon the outermost layer of the skin. Skin purging can be treated by identifying what causes it and treating accordingly. In this blog post, we will discuss how you can identify and treat skin purging to combat its effects!

Steps to Identifying Skin Purging

Here are some ways in which you can identify skin purging:

If your acne appears worse or new after starting a treatment regimen, you may be experiencing skin purging. This is normal and should pass in time as the impurities are expelled from your pores!
Skin Purging can also be identified by inflammation of pimples that usually feel hard or painful.
Look for bumps under the skin that are white in colour and have pus at their tips. This is an indicator of a pustule, which can be treated by applying benzoyl peroxide to affected areas with a Q tip twice daily.
Lastly, if your skin begins to peel excessively after using topical retinoids, you may be experiencing skin purging. This is normal and should clear up in time as your skin adjusts to the medication!

Symptoms of Skin Purging

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Here are some common symptoms or signs of skin purging:

Your skin appears overly dry, red and irritated.
Pimples that feel hard or painful to the touch are a sign of pustules! These can be treated with benzoyl peroxide applied directly on affected areas daily using a Q tip until they subside.

Steps to Treating Skin Purging

If you have recently started a new treatment regimen, such as an acne cream or antibiotic, give it some time before deciding on whether or not it’s causing skin purging.

But if your treatment regimen is working and you are experiencing skin purging, talk to your dermatologist about switching products or adjusting the dosage of medications!

Treatment for Skin Purging

If it appears that a treatment regimen causes skin purging, try using benzoyl peroxide with an OTC topical retinoid. This can be applied with a Q tip twice daily.

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However, if the effects of skin purging are too severe, your dermatologist may opt to use Accutane or antibiotics for treatment.

Lastly, if none of these options work and you did not see improvement within two weeks, discontinue using topical medications and see a dermatologist.

Some Common Question On Skin Purging

Here are some common queries on this condition that might help you find a good treatment:

Is Skin Purging Common In Women?

Skin purging is common in women who have been on an acne treatment regimen for several months. The condition should subside within a few weeks as the skin adjusts to the medication.

Is Skin Purging Harmful?

While it can be uncomfortable and unsightly, skin purging does not cause any permanent damage or long term effects.

Skin purging is more common with the use of topical retinoids and oral antibiotics as these medications cause skin irritation upon initial use!

Can Skin Purging Happen In Babies?

While skin purging is common in men and women, it does not commonly occur with babies or children.

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If your baby experiences skin problems such as bumps that appear under the surface of his/her skin for more than a few days, seek medical attention! Skin infections are dangerous to infants due to their sensitive immune systems.

Can I Apply Makeup On Purging Skin?

You should not apply makeup to skin that is experiencing skin purging. Doing so will clog pores and prolong the effects of this condition.

How Long Does Skin Purging Last?

Skin Purging lasts until all impurities have been expelled from the affected area, which can last anywhere between a few days or several weeks depending on the severity of skin purging.

Can I Do Facial On My Purging Skin?

You should not apply facial products to skin that is experiencing severe purging, as this will just irritate your skin and prolong the effects of this condition.

Is It Okay to Wash My Purging Skin With Warm Water?

Warm water can be soothing to the skin that is experiencing purging but avoid scented soaps and body washes as these will just irritate your skin!

Final Words

Skin purging is a common condition that occurs when an acne treatment regimen begins to work, but skin has not been adopted yet.

While it can be uncomfortable and unsightly, skin purging does not cause any permanent damage or long term effects unless severe! If you are experiencing very severe skin purging, your dermatologist may opt to use Accutane or antibiotics for treatment.

Filed under: Skin Care, Tips and Myths