Is A Cortisone Shot The Only Option For Treating Acne Cysts?

two hands holding cortisone injections

Updated 12/1/17. Of all the types of acne someone can get, cystic acne is both the most frustrating to treat and can be the most damaging to the skin.

What is cystic acne? Those hard, painful bumps and blemishes that develop deep within the skin, and often appear on the chin or jaw line, and can linger for weeks.

Cystic acne, whether chronic or intermittent, is one of the most frustrating types of acne lesions to deal with. What happens in cystic acne is not a pretty picture. It is typically triggered by a surge in hormones, such as occurs during a woman’s menstrual cycle. The skin’s oil glands become hypersensitive to this cascade of hormones, and react by overproducing sebum—so much, in fact, that the oil gland itself becomes engorged, swollen, and hardened with the excess. Unable to push the extra oil into the lining of the hair follicle (which leads to the surface of the skin via pores), the gland bursts underneath the skin. This causes acute inflammation and irritation, and leads to the redness and soreness of cystic acne. Because these lesions start so deep in the skin, scarring (red, dark and purple marks) is an all-too-common side effect.

They are most often resistant to most topical acne treatments since products designed for treating acne generally work on the surface to dry out the bacteria. In the case of cystic acne, the infection is not on the surface of the skin but rather down in the deeper layers. Have you ever used a drying spot treatment on a cyst to not only find that you’re still left with the sore bump on the skin, but now you have dry, flaky skin on top?

Traditionally, acne cysts have been treated at the dermatologist’s office with either oral antibiotics, or for a quick, fast remedy, a cortisone injection is given. The downside of cortisone injections for cystic acne is that they are expensive, plus the time spent waiting in a doctor’s office, and more seriously, the skin can atrophy in the injection site and can end up looking sunken in. It usually is temporary but it can sometimes take up to a six months to bounce back naturally. Every time you’re injecting a needle into your skin, whether it’s for purposes of reducing wrinkles with cosmetic fillers or treating acne cysts with cortisone, there is always a risk.

How does it work? It uses a purified form of lactic acid along with an advanced delivery system to get into the cyst to dissolve and digest the cystic infection and encourage a quicker recovery. Most users find that it flattens the visible appearance of the cyst 50% quicker than when using nothing at all. I consider it a miracle and our customers do to. If you get cysts, you really have to try it.

The most important advice I can give when it comes to cystic blemishes is not to pick at it. The infection is deep under the skin. I certainly understand that it’s very painful and my clients will say “I feel something under there and I want to get it out”, cysts are NOT meant to come out the surface. They develop deep within the skin and heal deep within the skin. Your body will naturally reabsorb the infection. When it comes to concealing it with makeup, It’s a lot easier to cover a closed bump with makeup, than a picked-at, oozing scab right? The choice is yours.

If you suspect your cysts are hormone related, read my expert tips for preventing adult hormonal breakouts

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Disclaimer: Content found on www.ReneeRouleau.com and Blog.ReneeRouleau.com, including text, images, audio, or other formats were created for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website or blog.

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  1. Hi 🙂
    I had a red patch under my eye on the top of my cheekbone and it was there for nearly a month. A nurse recommended hydrocortisone cream, and I’ve been using it (very small amount) on the effected area.

    I was wondering if my skin will thin and if so what I can do to make it healthy again? It was so strange, nothing was getting rid of this rash!

    Thank you 🙂

    Posted By: Natasha  | 

    Reply
    • I would try to use as little of it as you can and try mixing it with moisturizer just so the moisturizer can maintain the skin’s integrity. As for getting the skin healthy again, this moisturizer would work extremely well. https://www.reneerouleau.com/products/phytolipid-comfort-cream

      Posted By: Renée Rouleau  | 

      Reply
      • Thank you 🙂 The patch went down with the cortisone but when I stopped using it, it came back. I’ve been using argan oil which has helped but I’m so confused! Where did this patch come from? What is it?! 🙁

        Posted By: Natasha  | 

  2. I have been suffering from hormonal acne for the past 8 years (I NEVER had acne until I hit my early 20s). I initially used the MB Buffering lotion on my acne cysts on my chin/jawline, which was effective at first. But I believe my skin became acclimated to it, therefore, reducing it’s efficacy. I recently ordered the Anti-Cyst treatment, but have unfortunately not had the same positive experiences as other reviewers. My cysts are still extremely red and painful, regardless of my efforts to stop it. Looks like a cortisone shot is next.

    Posted By: Kristen  | 

    Reply
  3. […] do offer other non-prescription options so not all rely exclusively on medications.) Read: Is a Cortisone Shot the Only Option for Treating Acne Cysts? An esthetician can’t rely on a quick fix of prescription medication so we have no choice but to […]

    Posted By: Dermatologist Vs. Esthetician: Who Has the Best Approach for Treating Acne? – CT Esthetic  | 

    Reply
  4. Is there a way to purchase ($1-$2)/receive a sample (1 treatment) trial to see if it works? No offense, but I’ve been disappointed in the past and am tired of wasting my money on products that don’t work for my skin.

    Posted By: jade  | 

    Reply
    • Hi Jade, Unfortunately, we do not have this in a sample size. I will say that we have never seen a product out in the marketplace that effectively treats cysts like this one. It’s our #1 best selling product for a reason…it works!

      Posted By: Renée Rouleau  | 

      Reply
  5. Hello there, I am very interested in buying this product, because I really need it! But I live in Brasil, do you do international deliver? If not, is there another way to buy it? Thank you in advance for an answer!

    Posted By: Viviane  | 

    Reply
    • Our website accepts all international orders so place your order on line and we can send it to you. Our products are only sold on our website and in our two Dallas, Texas skin care spas. You’ll love the Anti-Cyst Treatment!

      Posted By: Renée Rouleau  | 

      Reply
  6. Wow, thanks for putting a name to my nightmare

    Posted By: Monique  | 

    Reply
    • Hey Monique, I’m currently living that nightmare too and suffering from SEVERE cystic acne. So much so there is literally little holes of past acne all over my face and body. I have these dark black marks from past popped pimples all over my face. I’ve cried myself to sleep countless nights because any woman I even consider going out with sees my dark bloches all over my face and thinks i’m diseased but they are just old pimple scars. I am THANKING God I can try this. Maybe there is hope for me and pulling myself out of this life I call hell.

      Posted By: William  | 

      Reply
  7. Although many people use the term “cystic” to describe any type of severely inflamed acne, only those who develop cysts truly have cystic acne. Cysts are the most serious kind of acne blemish. They feel like soft, fluid-filled lumps under the skin’s surface. Cysts can be painful. Good thing this product exist!

    Posted By: Jayden  | 

    Reply
  8. Thank you for the reply. However, it’s interesting; Renée Rouleau primarily talks about cystic acne on the chin and jawline. Perhaps this bit of information could be added to your discussions on cystic acne?

    Posted By: Marcy  | 

    Reply
  9. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Anti-Cyst Treatment. It has been my go to skin savior for over a year now. I will NEVER be without a bottle (or two) in my cabinet. My skin is healthy and happy thanks to Renee & her awesome Anti-Cyst Treatment!!!! 🙂

    Posted By: Tara Lish  | 

    Reply
  10. Can cystic acne appear on other areas of the skin in addition to the chin and jaw line? I have a hard, painful pimple on my brow bone.

    Posted By: Marcy  | 

    Reply
    • Yes, definitely Marcy. Cysts can appear anywhere on the face or even the body.

      Posted By: Renée Rouleau  | 

      Reply

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