Adult cystic acne?

[nitts95]

I am about to turn 35. Quick background: my acne got bad when I was 25, I took accutane at that age. It cleared all the big stuff, and I was happy. A year later I started getting annoying pimples on my cheeks, which wasn't typical before the accutane. I was starting to get upset again when my doc wanted me to go back to the daily grind of Retin-A. (I hated that stuff.)

So I started Proactiv in December 1999, and it worked great. I loved it. I've been a devoted user since then. However, in the last year, I started breaking out on a consistent basis, sometimes with multiple pimples simultaneously, and much larger than I've had in years. Most were the kind that formed a head, but now they all seem to form under the skin. They stay for months! They wax and wane, but never really go away. The hard mass of clotted blood (I'm guessing) just remains there under my skin.

What are these? Why am I almost exclusively getting these long-lasting headless kind all of the sudden? I have one under my eye that finally seems to have dissolved, but it started last July. I have one on my chin since November, another popped up a month ago on my chin (still there), a large one formed last week next to my nose where the smile crease is (still there), and now there is a large one under my nose right above my lip that seems like it will linger just like the rest.

Is there any special treatment for these things? Other than these I don't have other normal zits that pop. Just these hardened, clotted masses under the skin.

[Lexiah]

You def have cystic acne. It is usually due to hormonal problems. I suggest you see your OBGYN and get checked out, make sure things aren't too serious.
I am 32 and started getting cystic acne after going off the pill. I really wanted to stay off the pill, but FINALLY after a year of cystic acne I waved the white flag and have gone on Dianne 35 (BCpill) I tried every herbal remedy, I ate a diet that would rival the purity of a monk's diet, I jogged 6-7 km a day, I took all the recommended vitamin suppliments etc etc but to no avail. I have been taking the pill for two months and my skin is improving a lot. But I am now left with scars both red marks and tissue loss (aka permanent scarring) I wish I had gone back on the pill like 6 months ago. But I was determined to get rid of my acne naturally.
So if you are getting cystic acne and are scarring you should consider getting your hormone levels checked and consider the pill.
Also, using salicylic acid (2%)or glycolic acid (8%) daily in a toner or lotion is a good idea as it helps your skin shed and prevents your pores from clogging.
And aloe gel/juice does not clog pores so you can apply it on the cysts to help prevent scarring and helps treat scars.
Fresh lemon juice mask for 10-20 minutes every few days is great for skin.
Also honey, apple cidar vinegar, yogurt (plain/no sugar/organic) and tea tree oil.
Taking vitamins like vit A, B complex, zinc, selenium, chromium, Vit E, D, Calcium & Magnesium, MSM and Vitamin C all of these are great for your skin and hormonal balance. As well, saw Palmetto, vitex, evening primrose and dong quai.
You may also want to do a candida cleanse. Candida builds up in our bodies and causes acne and a whole bunch of other problems. I suggest to do a google search on the candida thing. I used a product called *candigone and it worked well and I lost 5lbs while taking it
Good luck!

[smokey22]

I am 27 and also suffer from cystic acne. I suffered with these lumps for a long time and finally had enough as they were really painful! I went to my doctor and he prescribed a gel to put on the areas effected. I have very oily skin and found this dried up the excess oil and has helped a lot. Its called Duac and contains Clindamycin and Benzoyl peroxide. Someone recently commented that i wasn't so spotty anymore (how nice of them!) so it must work! I also found when it was bad i would be washing my face a lot which made it worse as your skin produces more oil etc. The gel is quite strong though, the first time i used it i slapped it on wanting instant results but it REALLY dried my skin out and i went red for days so follow the instructions!!

[J1570]

Originally Posted by nitts95

I am about to turn 35. Quick background: my acne got bad when I was 25, I took accutane at that age. It cleared all the big stuff, and I was happy. A year later I started getting annoying pimples on my cheeks, which wasn't typical before the accutane. I was starting to get upset again when my doc wanted me to go back to the daily grind of Retin-A. (I hated that stuff.)

So I started Proactiv in December 1999, and it worked great. I loved it. I've been a devoted user since then. However, in the last year, I started breaking out on a consistent basis, sometimes with multiple pimples simultaneously, and much larger than I've had in years. Most were the kind that formed a head, but now they all seem to form under the skin. They stay for months! They wax and wane, but never really go away. The hard mass of clotted blood (I'm guessing) just remains there under my skin.

What are these? Why am I almost exclusively getting these long-lasting headless kind all of the sudden? I have one under my eye that finally seems to have dissolved, but it started last July. I have one on my chin since November, another popped up a month ago on my chin (still there), a large one formed last week next to my nose where the smile crease is (still there), and now there is a large one under my nose right above my lip that seems like it will linger just like the rest.

Is there any special treatment for these things? Other than these I don't have other normal zits that pop. Just these hardened, clotted masses under the skin.

[J1570]

i'm afraid i have more depressing news, i too, suffer from late adolescent systic acne. i suffered from regular teenage acne for years but never as bad as i got it in my late 20's... i got in on my face, beard line mainly, and actually the back of my head, which was most annoying. no clue how to stop it... tried otc medications, they seemed to lessen it but not control it.. any ideas?