Skin Care Tip: What is cystic acne? These are hard, sore, underground bumps under the skin (most often occurring in the chin and jaw line area) that linger for weeks. Learn about cystic acne and what you can do to help this troubling skin condition.
What NOT to do: Don’t pick!! They hurt. And you know that something is under there and if you pick at it long enough, you’ll get that infection out, right? Wrong! What you need to understand is that true cystic blemishes will never come up to the surface. They develop deep in the dermis layer of the skin, and they heal in the dermis layer. If left alone, the infection is not meant to come out of the skin. So if you pick at it, and pick at it, yes, you might eventually get a little something out, but by that time, you have torn up the skin so severely that you’re guaranteed to have a discolored mark for months. And let’s face it, what’s worse? Covering up a sore bump with makeup, or covering up a scabby scar for months? Your best bet is to leave it alone. Since the infection is not on the surface, traditional spot treatment drying lotions will not do anything other than to just dry out the skin, and leave you peeling…
What WILL help: The moment you get this type of blemish, don’t pick at it and apply a small amount of Renée Rouleau Anti-Cyst Treatment. This incredible best-selling product doesn’t dry out the surface of the skin but rather, penetrates deep down into the dermis layer of the skin where the cyst is, and works to dissolve and disperse the infection to make it go away fast! It is the only product out on the market to effectively treat cystic acne, and it really works! Plus, you can dab a small amount in areas you’re prone to getting them, to prevent future ones. Another option is getting a cortisone injection from the dermatologist, but who wants to deal with that? If they are primarily on the chin and jaw line area, you might be getting too much dairy in your diet. Try cutting out dairy and see if that gives improvement.
Read: What’s The Best Spot Treatment For Blemishes?
Read: Is A Cortisone Shot The Only Option For Treating Acne Cysts?
Read: Skin Care Ingredients To Use and Avoid For Problem, Acne-Prone Skin
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Celebrity Esthetician & Skincare Expert
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience, and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real-world solution — products that are formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives around the globe, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research are why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”
Comments:
Hi Renee,
Question re: cystic acne. When it turns into a hard lump under the skin, how does it “heal”? Does the body eventually just reabsorb the infection/whatever is under the skin causing the hard lump?
I have had these bumps 1) last many months under the skin, and in a couple of situation, come to life again months down the line.
I also have Keratosis Pilaris. If I don’t pick at those bumps, my experience is that they don’t heal or go away eventually. They just stay and I get more and more. Are they supposed to eventually heal in a way similar to cystic acne?
Any information you can provide on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you! 🙂
Posted By: Katie |
It’s perfectly normal to get blemishes and bumps that can go away and reappear. It would be helpful to see an esthetician to get your pores cleaned out and your skin analyzed to learn how best to care for it. As for keratosis pilaris, if you exfoliate well, it will help keep it under control but if you don’t exfoliate to manage it, then you can just get more and more. (But a lot of people will outgrow it, too.)
Posted By: Renée Rouleau |
Hey, i’ve just grown this massive pimple on my chin. It has no pus and head. It is just a really big red bump that i can feel when i move my mouth. It has made my bottom lip a bit crooked as well. I popped it because it was really annoying me and a clear liquid came out. I then put some ‘kenacomb’ on it and took a shower. A very small white head had formed by then and i had popped it again to remove the pus. I have currently put ProActiv ‘repair cream’ and it’s basically just benzoyl peroxide. I have school tomorrow and i really want to get rid of it. Do you know how to reduce the size? Thanks.
Posted By: Lisa |
If you’re not supposed to pick or prod, why would the dermatologist I went to last time lance the cyst on my cheek? Was she supposed to have done that? Best I can tell, that spot isn’t even completely healed anyway, and it’s been at least 2 months. I’m trying the Cystic Acne gel from Renee, hoping it’s not another one of those magical cures that promises results to those of us who are desperately suffering from this type of thing but doesn’t deliver. Fingers crossed.
Posted By: Arek |
I can’t speak for why the dermatologist would lance it. Every one has their own strategy and the Anti Cyst Treatment is mine…and thousands of our clients. My fingers are crossed that it will work for you too!
Posted By: Renée Rouleau |
I meant to type face and back
Posted By: AnnaBombara |
Hi Anna, For back acne read this https://blog.reneerouleau.com/2012/01/how-to-get-rid-of-back-acne/ and for face acne, click here https://blog.reneerouleau.com/category/tips/ and choose the “acne” section. She would also really benefit from using our AHA/BHA Cleansing Gel to wash her skin. It’s very gentle but great for starter acne. You can see it here https://www.reneerouleau.com/AHABHACleansingGel.aspx
Posted By: Renée Rouleau |
My 16 yr old grand daughter started birth control pills bc of problems with her period. This is the 1st month and she is starting to break out on her gave and bck. What would you recommend?
Thank you,
Anna
Posted By: AnnaBombara |
I’m 50..and have been suffering from Cystic Acne for years until my dermatologist suggested i try the water pill ALDACTONE or the generic version SPIRONOLACTONE. 50mg a day…have not had a breakout since starting…and my face has never been clearer. And not one side effect, but my dr. did have my potassium levels checked first to make sure they were normal. You’ll be good to go…
Posted By: rose |