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The secret to clear, prom-ready skin? *Lots* of time

It may seem so far off, but prom season is *right* around the corner. We know you’ve been dreaming about this night forever: wearing a beautiful dress, taking the sweetie of your dreams as your date, laughing with your besties and rocking glowing, gorgeous skin. So to avoid tons of skin stress on your big day, start prepping now.

We talked to dermatologist Dr. Hilary Baldwin from Acne Research and Treatment Center in Morristown, NJ to get the DL on how to cure acne blemishes in time for your big night. Her biggest piece of advice? Don’t wait until the last minute.  “It breaks my heart when people come to see me three, four weeks before…and I know there is nothing for me to do that is going to make them look better on their big day.”

So when should you visit? Dr. Baldwin recommends visiting a dermatologist three to four months before your big event. Contrary to popular belief, acne cannot be cured overnight. Visiting a dermatologist ASAP will ensure that you can get a head start on any medications and treatments to help cure those pesky zits in time for prom.

If you’re thinking about skipping out on a trip to the doctor’s office because you’ve read about DIY remedies, think again. Dr. Baldwin let us in on a little known secret: Most of the cures you’ve heard are not effective. 

She said toothpaste, coconut oil and consuming large amounts of water haven’t been proven to cure acne at all. In fact, like cocoa butter, coconut oil may even clog your pores. If you’re looking for a quick fix for an annoying pimple, toothpaste will dry the acne, but won’t prevent new ones from forming. Water, although it is great to stay hydrated, hasn’t been proven to do anything other than prevent dry skin. Until you meet with your doctor, take a few preventive steps and purchase benzoyl peroxide (an active indredient in many drugstore face washes and treatments) over-the-counter. 

With only a few months left, now is the time to get a head start on the beautiful skin you’ve been longing for. Whether it’s for prom or your vacay, beautiful, healthy skin never goes out of style.

Have you visited a dermatologist and have a skin success story? Share it with us in the comments below!

Photo credit: Gigi Hadid

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by Jacqueline Burnett | 2/23/2017
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