How to Handle a Pimple Before the Wedding Day

There is never a right time for your skin to break out and finding a red and angry pimple right before your wedding can only mean one thing: Panic. It feels like a skin crisis, but don’t worry, you’re not alone — pre-wedding stress can lead to some of the most unexpected flare-ups. The good news is that dermatologists and skin pros themselves agree whether to intervene on a blemish or not is dependent on your timeline, but the one rule they all say you should never ever break is to pop it.

To help you calm down and clear up, we’ve rounded up expert advice on how to treat a pimple in the weeks leading up to the big day — whether you’ve got 10 days, 5 days, 2 days or just a few hours before you walk down the aisle.

10 Days Before the Wedding

If your breakout crops up a week and a half before the big day, you’re not necessarily out of luck — there’s likely still time to calm inflammation and let your skin heal on its own.

Keep Your Hands Off

“Step one is taking the aggressively hands-off approach,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Adam Carroway. “Picking at your skin can drive bacteria deeper and prolong healing.” He also suggests removing makeup completely each evening and starting a mild exfoliation regiment to clear the area.

Consult a Professional

See a dermatologist early, advises cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Lila Moreno. “At 10 days you can still initiate oral or topical therapy if you had to,” she says. Prescription medication could potentially reduce inflammation within a day or two, and a pro can tell whether it’s a garden variety pimple, an ingrown hair or something more severe.

Apply Gentle Heat

You can also try a simple home remedy: apply hot compresses to help bring the blemish to a head. Make sure your skin doesn't burn. Resist touching that pimple that just surfaced—instead, spot-treat.

5 Days Before the Wedding

You have less time, but with space to maneuver the breakout without making it worse.

Avoid New Products

If you’re on the West Coast, then stick to what your skin knows. “This is not the time to be novel,” Dr. Carroway says. “But you can swap out makeup products with potential contamination, especially powders and compacts.” He also advises eliminating dairy, which he says can stimulate hormone-induced blemishes.

Try Gentle Exfoliation

At home, Dr. Moreno recommends microdermabrasion or a gentle exfoliant. “Physical exfoliants like scrubs can be helpful, but you want to make sure they are not too aggressive,” she says. “Chemical exfoliants like lactic acid or glycolic acid are also excellent—just patch test first to make sure they don’t irritate.”

2 Days Before the Wedding

Last-minute breakout? You still have options.

Think About a Shot of Cortisone

“If it’s deep and painful, definitely go to your dermatologist for a cortisone shot,” said N.Y.C.-based licensed esthetician Melinda Graves. “It can make a cystic pimple go away in a few hours.” And while effective, says Dr. Moreno, cortisone can have potential side effects — be sure to ask about risks, including skin thinning or discoloration.

Spot Treat at Home

No access to a derm? Opt for spot treatments formulated with salicylic acid or hydrocolloid patches. These will help to bring to the surface impurities, calm swelling and keep from touching or make up from building on the blemish.

On the Wedding Day

Woke up to a zit on the big day? Take a deep breath. It’s not the end of the world.”

Conceal with Care

“Use a full-coverage concealer that covers and treats at the same time,” Dr. Carroway says. Opt for a formula with acne-fighting ingredients, SPF and long wear. Your makeup artist can be your best friend and remember—my camera can airbrush those shots.

Final Thought:

Whether you have 10 days or 10 minutes, the key is to not let a blemish dampen your celebration. With the right care and outlook, your skin (and your confidence) can still radiate just as much.