Cystic acne is the most serious type of acne. It develops when cysts form deep underneath your skin. This can result from a combination of bacteria, oil, and dry skin cells that get trapped in your pores. Although anyone can develop acne, cystic acne tends to occur in people with oily skin.
Hormones stimulate oil production, which leads to the growth of bacteria getting trapped in the pore," she explains. All skin is prone to cystic acne and unfortunately, many of the causes — like age, stress, or genetics — are out of our control, says Shuting Hu, M.D., founder of Acaderma.
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.
Usually, cystic acne can improve with age. However, the stubborn and painful bumps won't go away on their own. If you suspect you have cystic acne, your dermatologist is your best line of defense. They can prescribe the medication necessary to help clear your skin.
Stress triggers or worsens acne by multiple mechanisms. Not many studies have assessed the relationship between stress and acne flares. On the basis of this study, it is concluded that stress positively correlates with acne severity.
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.
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.
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.
While you may want to pop your cyst open, you should never do so by squeezing or picking at it. Most cysts are nearly impossible to squeeze out with your fingers alone. Plus, you can send bacteria and sebum deep below the hair follicles, causing the materials to spread and make even more cysts.
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.
“For a pimple emergency, I recommend that you see your board-certified dermatologist for a cortisone injection,” Turner says. “This involves the injection of a drop of a potent anti-inflammatory to help shrink down the pimple overnight.” It's a drastic approach, but it the best and quickest way to guaranteed results.
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.
Given the increase in oil production, she says your skin will usually look greasier and slightly more inflamed. Zeichner adds that stress acne can also look like a combination of blackheads, whiteheads, red bumps, and pus pimples.
What does hormonal acne look like? Whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, cysts and nodules are all common hormonal acne symptoms. Normally, whiteheads and blackheads do not cause pain, inflammation or swelling, but if they do, then they are most likely forming into cysts and pustules.
Stress pimples will usually pop up in the oiliest areas of the face, like the forehead, nose and chin. Your T-zone might look greasier and more congested too. Doctors say that if you're getting clusters of pimples all at once, stress can be a factor—hormonal pimples happen one at a time.
Try applying a topical spot treatment with an active ingredient such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. By applying an over-the-counter spot treatment directly to your skin, you can help shrink that sucker down.
Foods that trigger acne include milk, whey protein, refined carbohydrates, high GI foods, sugar, alcohol, and inflammatory fats. These foods impact your skin by increasing the production of hormones that worsen acne.
Apply an antibiotic ointment, such as Bacitracin, with clean hands or a clean cotton swab. Wash your hands after applying the ointment, too. Apply an antibacterial spot treatment moving forward, such as tea tree oil. This will help to fight bacteria while ideally reducing inflammation.