"Cystic acne"
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free skin care · Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:36 pm

OK, so I might have chosen the wrong term, but...

My skin is 99,99% clear and even-toned with small pores. But my chin area is disastrous; at the present, I am experiencing three cystic pimples at the same time, and they never, ever reach the surface.

Is there anything at all that I can do to diminish the damage, without at the same time killing my dry skin? Nothing really seems to help, and I am almost tempted to (try and) leave the area alone for some time, to see whether that helps. Sad

Fri Oct 26, 2007 1:47 pm

Based on what you've described, I will advise the following products for your consideration: Peter Thomas Roth AHA-BHA Acne Clearing Gel, Bioelements Poreplex, PCA Skin pHaze 35 Acne Gel, or Murad Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel.

free skin care · Fri Oct 26, 2007 2:19 pm

I have tried so many things and unfortunately none of them had any effect - not Murad (made it worse - dry, red, flaky and still with pimples), not Yonka, nor many many more.

The one that somewhat helps I can not mention here (please, feel free to PM me). I am also looking to try Henry Tianus line based on many good reviews. I am planning to order next week.

In general - exfoliation (5% salicylic acid), CPs, some healing oils and Emu - helped me quite a bit.

HTH,
Lucy.

free skin care · Fri Oct 26, 2007 5:13 pm

Have you tried Zeno? This is the "tool" that heats up and you apply it to the spot. I have tried everything over the years for acne with little success even applying toothpaste and rubbing alcohol. Like you, I have relatively clear skin but tend to get one or two large painful bumps now and then and blackheads. You can try Origins charcoal mask as a spot treatment too then finish with a hot damp washcloth for a few minutes. Nothing works overnight unfortunately but I've had good results with the zeno and hot washclothes to open things up.

free skin care · Fri Oct 26, 2007 7:20 pm

I second the Zeno. It hasn't worked on every cystic spot but I believe it has helped quite a few disappear in a few days instead of weeks or months. I've never had a spot start to form and then go away without ever becoming something big so I think the Zeno is helping with this. Search for DIY Zeno. I'm too lazy for the DIY (even though it sounds super easy) so I spent the money and got the real thing.

A friend of mine just told me about using washcloths. He said to use a warm wet washcloth at the first sign of something forming. Hold it there until it cools then warm it up again. Do this several times. He said most time the wet heat will help it drain back into the skin before it has a chance to become anything. I haven't had to try this yet but I will on my next one. Maybe try to soak it in chamomile tea or hold a tea bag to the spot. Chamomile is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial.

free skin care · Sat Oct 27, 2007 12:37 am

Thank you for the tips, people. I don't think my skin can take any harsh treatments, as it's thin and dry also in that area. It's underneath the surface the trouble sits. Sad

So maybe the washcloth idea is good? Or Zeno, of course (but then, there's the price issue). I also heard from an esthetician that cystic acne might be a sign the skin isn't getting enough moisture, but can't really trust her (after all, she also said sweet almond oil is pore-clogging, and that's pure BS).

Last night, after cleansing, I only put some Decleor Angelique Night Balm on my whole face, and did nothing in particular for the chin area. The concoctions that I had at hand hadn't really done anything except for giving me constantly peeling skin. And this morning, my chin looks considerably better, and the large, cystic pimple that I woke up with yesterday morning, has shrunk by 75%.

free skin care · Sat Oct 27, 2007 1:56 am

Nemi, hydrate. The aesthetician may be exactly right. When the skin is soft, the eruptions are better able to make it to the surface and not be "cystic".

Your chin acne might be hormonal. A lot of people have had success with pearl creams for this. Bliss also used to have a product called "on the chin" for hormonal acne.

free skin care · Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:02 am

It def sounds hormonal. You might want to try birth control pills, if you're not already on them. High frequency current, from a spa or a dermawand can also help kill the bacteria that's too deep to reach with topical treatments

free skin care · Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:13 am

I also suspect it's hormonal, but I am already on the pill. Before, I used a normal tricyclic (or whatever it's called?) pill with estrogen, and I think it was worse then than now, when I'm on a gestagen-only type of pill.

I'll try and hydrate to excess, at least at nighttime.

The funny thing, after I started this thread only one day ago, the problem has almost disappeared. Now, that's ironic, right? Laughing

But when they return, I now have access to a lot of hopefully effective remedies, thank to you people.

free skin care · Sat Oct 27, 2007 5:05 pm

Only good thing for that is a good beta hydroxy lotion and a good blemish fighter over that. Paula's Choice are really good for that.

free skin care · Sat Oct 27, 2007 10:56 pm

Your problem definatley sounds like Hormone issues. I had the same problem for a week befor my period I would get 4-5 cysts that were very painful and left me extra cranky. I now use that Tanda and haven't had any for 2 months now.

free skin care · Sun Oct 28, 2007 8:54 am

Have you seen a dermatologist??? I had a bout of cystic acne a few months ago. I made an appointment with a dermatologist, and got a 2 months of antibiotics- I haven't had a breakout since!!!!!! I also use Retin-A at night and Finacea gel in the am.

free skin care · Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:14 am

Nemi wrote:

Last night, after cleansing, I only put some Decleor Angelique Night Balm on my whole face, and did nothing in particular for the chin area. The concoctions that I had at hand hadn't really done anything except for giving me constantly peeling skin. And this morning, my chin looks considerably better, and the large, cystic pimple that I woke up with yesterday morning, has shrunk by 75%.

Your skin sounds like mine. I am prone to hormonal acne, and the less treatments I use, the better it heals. Whenever I feel one forming, I immediately want to slather a treatment on it, but my skin does much better if I baby it instead. I use the Decleor balm for sensitive skin (the Rose one) and my skin looks significantly better in the morning. My hormonal breakouts have so far ceased since I started taking Evening Primrose Oil to balance my hormones, but I still avoid treatment-type products.

Tina

free skin care · Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:48 am

Chrissie wrote:

Have you seen a dermatologist??? I had a bout of cystic acne a few months ago. I made an appointment with a dermatologist, and got a 2 months of antibiotics- I haven't had a breakout since!!!!!! I also use Retin-A at night and Finacea gel in the am.

I think seeing a dermatologist for two pimples on the chin per month is slightly exaggerating, and as my skin can't tolerate anything harsh, I'd rather stay away. I think I'll try and get a sample of Decleor's Baume Essentiel, and see whether there's any difference in how that works compared to the Angelique one.

As for now, my nose, forehead and temples are covered by small, itchy blisters, most likely caused by the Priori serum I've been using since Thursday, so I am forced to use as few products as possible on my skin. Sad

I'll return the serum today, and have promised myself to stop experimenting. : rofl

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