Plus, peace out post-acne marks.
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| | | | You might know the feeling: You wake up, wash your face, and OUCH. You can't see a head, but you can most definitely feel something under your skin's surface, annoyingly just out of popping range. | | Cystic acne dwells deep in your skin, and man, does it hurt, both physically and emotionally. I would know — I've been managing it since high school. | | I'm still learning how to manage my cystic acne and the lingering discoloration — brown or blue post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) — that remains after the cyst recedes. But a number of treatments can help fade these spots. And no, it won't involve picking or popping — that's out of the question. | | Below, I discuss what I've learned from being a skin care fanatic with cystic acne, and what might help those of you with a similar skin concern. | | | | Skin care for life,
Sarah Matysiak
Associate Editor, Healthline | | | | |
| |  | | Written by Sarah Matysiak
November 22, 2024 • 4 min read | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | Putting my foot down on cystic acne | | What it is: Cystic acne can look different for everyone. For me, it usually looks something like this — a raised bump (cyst), sometimes red, sometimes not, but almost always painful to touch. You can thank hormones and excess oil production for these cysts. | | A word of caution: Cysts typically don't come to a head, which may be frustrating, but at least it stops me from popping them, which is a big no. Trying to pop a cyst can lead to a longer-lasting blemish or a deeper infection — essentially an open wound on your face. Trust me, it's not worth it. | | My go-to home remedy: When I start to feel — sigh, yet another — cyst forming, I use a warm compress to help reduce the swelling and pain. This trick works like a charm for me, and after a few days, I can say sayonara to the cyst and discomfort. But there are other home remedies you can try too. | | Managing the aftermath: After your cyst goes down, you may see a dark mark. This is the PIH I mentioned earlier, and in my opinion, it's the worst part. On the one hand, it's a sign that your cyst has healed below the surface. On the other hand, it's more noticeable than the cyst was in the first place. | The good news: PIH will fade, even without treatment, but this can be time-consuming. If you have less patience (like me), a number of key ingredients can help accelerate fading: - Retinoids: These powerful ingredients can help fade PIH, prevent acne, and offer pro-aging properties. Follow your derm's guidance before starting a retinoid since incorrect use could cause irritation. As a general rule, start once per week with a pea-size amount and work your way up to nightly.
- Other strategies: Gentler options for those with sensitive skin include azelaic acid, niacinamide, mandelic acid, and kojic acid. All of these pack a major punch against PIH, too.
Where I'm at now: It was 10 months ago that my skin had its worst bout of cystic acne ever. It's only been about 2 months since I added a retinoid and PIH-fading ingredients to my routine, but I'm seeing improvements. Don't get me wrong — my PIH is still noticeable, but with patience and persistence, I'm confident it'll fade into nonexistence. | | Speak with a dermatologist before changing your skin care routine, especially if you're on other acne medications or topicals. They can provide the best course of action for you. | | | | | | | | | | Sticking with it | | | | | | |  | | HANHOO Custom Blemish Patch | | I love a good pimple patch. It stops me from picking the pimple and sucks up all the oil overnight. But sometimes, the precut stickers are too big for my pimples. Sure, they're convenient, but I can't be the only one who plows through a whole pack in less than a month (and don't get me started on how few come in a pack). For this reason, I love HANHOO's custom blemish patches. You can cut custom sizes for any pimple size, and one sheet lasts me a whole lot longer. | | | Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Store's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Thanks for reading and making this a great Wellness Wire debut! I hope to be around for future newsletters. | | | | | | |
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