Treating Minor Beauty Injuries

A Tiny Tear in the Skin From Plucking a Hair

The Rx: Keep steady pressure on a cold washcloth to constrict the blood vessels and stop the bleeding. Then dab on an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin) to prevent infection, advises Roberta Sengelmann, an associate professor of dermatology at the Washington University School of Medicine, in St. Louis. "Put a bandage on it before bed to create a moist, protected environment," she says. If the spot is swollen or if pain persists, see a doctor.

Quick camouflage: Remove the ointment with a cotton pad and dab a creamy hypoallergenic concealer on the spot. Pat it in with a fingertip.