Don’t do it. Even if you have a date tomorrow, don’t pop that newborn pimple you’re sporting. Dr. Lee Bittenbender, of the Dermatology Center of Lawrence, discourages popping pimples no matter how great the temptation. He says a pimple can be treated in about three days.

But most students don’t have three days to wait for their skin to clear up and may never want to emerge once that paper bag has been placed over their heads.

There are ways to take care of your skin before that pesky acne crops up. Here’s your guide:

Proper Skin Care Regimen at Home

Lindsey Pollock, an esthetician at Images Salon & Day Spa says everyone needs to use a cleanser, toner and moisturizer every day. She adds that if you are dealing with recurring acne, using a treatment gel will help. Products like Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Eliminating Gel can be found at drugstores for about $5-$10. Be selective about what you choose to treat your skin with, as some stronger products can lead to inflamed skin.

“People often over-wash their skin using astringents, toners, and other potentially harsh solutions that can lead to irritation and even worsening of acne,” says Dr. Richard G. Fried, author of Healing Adult Acne: Your Guide to Clear Skin and Self-Confidence.

A natural solution

Though it hasn’t been proven, tea tree oil has been rumored to help acne. The anti-bacterial oil, which originates from New South Wales, Australia, can be found in soaps and deodorants. Bridget Trybom, a facialist at Lada Salon, says dabbing tea tree oil on a blemish can lessen redness, swelling and helps prevent scarring from acne. Among professionals, however, there are disagreements about the use of natural medicines.

Tea tree oil products are available at The Body Shop for $5-$12.

Facials + Dermatologists

Look for over-the-counter treatments that contain benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid or salicylic acid. Benzoyl peroxide is the main ingredient in Proactiv, the mail-order skincare regime promoted by celebrities Jessica Simpson and Alicia Keys. It’s also a treatment Pollock, Fried and Bittenbender have all heard to be successful. You can order Proactiv at www.proactiv.com. If over-the-counter treatments don’t work, progressing to a prescription medication or other procedures will help alleviate acne. Both Bittenbender and Fried agree that prescribed topical solutions like Differin, Retin-A and Tazorac will help clear skin. Some dermatologists prescribe antibiotics, which get to the root of the problem by fighting bacteria.

Pollock advises regular trips to a salon for properly-applied facials, a thorough home regimen and trips to the dermatologist to battle acne effectively.

Accutane

Bittenbender says to use Accutane to remedy serious acne that hasn’t responded to other treatment. Accutane can result in birth defects so severe that, beginning March 1, female patients must take precautions like multiple preganancy tests before, during and after the treatment and are required to use two forms of contraception while taking the drug. There’s also an ongoing discussion in the scientific community that links Accutane to clinical depression. Patients can experience side effects like chapped lips, dry skin and eyes, achy joints and elevated blood pressure. Bittenbender says he recommends it more to men than women because of the risk of birth defects.

Birth Control

It doesn’t work for everyone, but hormone-based birth control can improve some women’s skin. Fried says that some birth control pills decrease levels of testosterone and, therefore, the hair follicles that cause acne are less active.

There are several causes of acne, and, according to Bittenbender and Pollock, the leading cause is genetics,. While many think acne appears because of alcohol intake or a diet heavy in grease, Bittenbender disagrees. “There’s no good evidence to support that diet plays a role,” he says. “As far as I’m concerned you can eat what you want. The old rumors were not to eat chocolate or drink sodas.”

So go ahead and drink all night. Then eat a pizza. Just be sure to wash your face before you go to bed.

Skin Myths BUSTED! A look at the reality behind skincare myths

Myth: Dabbing toothpaste on a zit will dry it out and clear up your skin overnight. Truth: Toothpaste isn’t necessarily healthy for the skin and will have no quicker effect than medications.

Myth: You should ‘pop’ your pimple using your fingers or fingernails.

Truth: This could cause further infection from the oils and bacteria in your fingernails and will increase the chance of scarring your skin. Only resort to popping a pimple if it has come to a head on your skin (and some never will). If you must do so, after a hot shower with tissue wrapped around your finger, squeeze the blemish back and forth.

Myth: Ice cubes will shrink pores.

Truth: The only way to do this is through purging the skin of all oils and toxins, and then following a proper skincare regimen.

Myth: Makeup will clog your pores.