Hormones are a common trigger for cystic acne and can sometimes worsen things along the chin and jawline in particular," says dermatologist Jennifer Adams, MD. "There are several different types of acne ranging from the milder comedonal bumps, to papulopustular, to the most inflammatory type called nodulocystic.
Your acne appears around your chin and jawline. One of the telltale signs of a hormonal breakout is its location on the face. If you're noticing inflamed cystic acne on your chin or jawline area—anywhere around your lower face, really—you can bet your bottom dollar that it's probably hormonal acne.
Differences Between Cystic Vs. Hormonal Acne. While hormonal acne is seen in men and women going through significant hormonal changes – aging, pregnancy or even stress – cystic acne occurs at any age as a result of dietary sensitivities and an overproduction of sebum.
Causes of Cystic Acne
Cystic acne occurs when bacteria, dead skin cells, and sebum (the substance that makes your face feel oily) get trapped beneath the skin's surface and become infected. This leads to a large, swollen cyst (bump) that can hurt just to touch.
Unfortunately, cystic acne often doesn't go away on its own and requires treatment from a doctor or dermatologist. Cystic acne has psychological effects as well as visible effects on the skin.
Isotretinoin (Accutane), a powerful prescription medication, is considered the most effective treatment measure for cystic acne. It's derived from a powerful form of vitamin A, taken in tablet form every day. About 85 percent of people who take it experience improvements within four to six months.
Cortisone
If you need a cyst gone fast, or if your cystic pimple won't go away, you can visit a healthcare professional for an injection of a diluted cortisone medication called Kenalog. They'll inject the medication directly into the cyst, shrinking it on the spot.
If ignored, cysts can take anywhere from 1-4 weeks to go away by themselves. Although your body will eventually deal with the inflammation, some cysts can persist for extended periods of time and often leave behind scars.
Cystic acne can be caused by a variety of factors
Hormone imbalance – particularly fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone. Certain medical conditions, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome. Medications such as testosterone, lithium and steroids can aggravate acne.
Grade IV acne, also called cystic acne, must be treated by a dermatologist.
Due to the fact that cystic acne is only caused by a change in hormones, genetics, and the oil production level in the skin, it must be treated by a dermatologist. Home skin care remedies as well as over-the-counter topical treatment and medication rarely work and can take a very long time to show any sort of result.
Just before your period starts, estrogen and progesterone levels drop. This can trigger your sebaceous glands to secrete more sebum, an oily substance that lubricates your skin. Too much can result in clogged pores and breakouts. Hormones can also increase skin inflammation and the production of acne-causing bacteria.
Apply a Warm Compress
After cleaning the cyst, hold a warm compress on the area for five to ten minutes. The moisture and the warmth help to encourage the substance trapped under the skin to make its way out of the hair follicle. Repeat this process up to three times per day until the cyst drains on its own.
Cystic acne can spread across large areas of your face, chest, back, shoulders, or upper arms. If and when the pus-filled clog erupts, the infection spreads, further aggravating the situation, and possibly leading to permanent scarring.
Due to stress's affect on the body, most people experience stress acne breakouts rather than a single blemish. The excess oil production related to stress breakouts can increase the likelihood of developing cystic acne, though the majority of patients experience blemishes nearer to the surface of the skin.
Acne affects up to 50 million people each year in the U.S. However, severe or cystic acne is far less common — only 1% of adult females and 3% of adult males suffered from severe acne. For many women, cystic acne is the result of hormonal imbalance, meaning they'll likely experience breakouts on or around menstruation.
Like other types of acne, you shouldn't try to squeeze out a cyst in order to “pop” it. But there are things you can do at home that can help work the cyst out from deep in your skin so it comes out on its own.
Grade III acne is considered severe acne. Severe acne causes breakouts that often extend deep into the skin. In severe acne, a single pimple or cyst can stay on the skin for weeks or months at a time. Grade III acne is considered severe acne.
What is it? Acne vulgaris, otherwise known as (bacterial) acne, is the most common acne type we have come to know. It refers to a wide array of acne types, some of which being cystic, papules, pustules, nodules, and comedones, commonly known as whiteheads and blackheads (Keri, 2018).
Cystic acne may be longer lasting because it forms deep within the skin. With treatment, some people see an improvement in 6–8 weeks . If this does not happen, the dermatologist may recommend a change of treatment.