Cystic Acne - Any Advice?

HappySmile2015

I am trying to clear up cystic acne that is concentrated to only one part of my face.  Have had it for nearly 15 years.   Leaves behind bad scars as well, tried everything for those too but to no luck.  Any advice for things that worked for any of you?

Doctors only solution is birth control, which often causes more and worst cystic acne when you come off it, if it even helps at all.

Thanks.

blabla89

Is it concentrated around your chin and does it get worse around your cycle? If so, then yes, I've had it. Accutane worked but the acne eventually came back. Spironolactone helped a lot too.

HappySmile2015

Yes it is concentrated on chin.     Medicines make me very nauseas and the acne often comes right back as soon as one quits taking them.  I am wanting to try something that isn't oral.  

novella1186

Have you seen a dermatologist? 

My dermatologist gave me a pill that clears up acne. It was amazing and worked great, but i have a really sensitive stomach and a common side effect of this pill is nausea, so I had to quit taking it. 

I ended up having lasting positive results from changing up my diet. 

There are more methods to help aside from birth control. There's blue light therapy, diet, oral medication, topical medications (a million different ones, so even if you think you've tried them all, you haven't), cleansers, natural/holistic remedies, etc. Don't give up. You just need to find the the thing that works for you. 

novella1186

HappySmile2015 said:

Yes it is concentrated on chin.     Medicines make me very nauseas and the acne often comes right back as soon as one quits taking them.  I am wanting to try something that isn't oral.  

Sorry, I posted before I saw this. If you've tried medicine and it has made you nauseous, I would definitely NOT recommend the pills I mentioned in my previous post. 

I would talk to a dermatologist about this stuff and let them know you're looking for alternative methods to control it. 

When I was using topical medications, I had the best results from a combo of a gel (I can't remember the type of medicine in it) and Epiduo. It was that particular combination that did it for me, but I had to remember to moisturize well because if the medications dried out my skin, I'd break out even worse. 

HappySmile2015

I just really want to avoid any kind of oral medication.   

HappySmile2015

How did you change your diet? 

cosenti7

I use Aczone, which is a topical Dapsone gel. I have/had cystic chin and neck acne as well, and its the only prescription I've seen improvement from. Drinking a ton of water helped me as well.

HappySmile2015

Yeah.  I will ask about the Aczone.  I am hoping for something topical.  I also have extremely sensitive skin.   Was given Retinal A once for it, and that just tore my skin up.

The scars from cystic acne are really bad too.   Microderm abrasion and chemical  peels have done nothing for it - and they are extremely expensive.  Anyone find anything to help with removing the scars?

novella1186

HappySmile2015 said:

How did you change your diet? 

I was tested for lactose intolerance, so I know that's an issue for me. I aslo noticed that when I eat a lot of sugar (like a few pieces of candy) it makes my stomach feel bad, so I started doing research and found that it's common to have a sensitivity to refined sugar which can cause an inflamatory response in the body, which can cause acne (any food intolerance or sensitivity can have this affect). 

Just for my own personal experiment, I completely cut out all refined sugar for a few months. It was tough because it's in things you wouldn't expect, like salad dressings, sauces, etc. I only drank water and organic unsweetened tea, made sauces and whatnot from scratch, read every label, cut out all candy and sweets, etc. As a side effect, I started eating more produce and whole foods. 

My stomach felt much better, and my acne completely cleared up. 

Whenever I start breaking out (which is now really unusual for me) or my stomach acts up, I cut out dairy and sugar. And even now, I hardly ever eat sugar. It has made a huge difference. 

I'm not sure if it would work for everybody, but it definitely worked for me. 

KatWAG

How long have you been using the topical creams?  For me, my acne got worse ( a lot worse) before it got better. My derm explained it by saying the topical is pulling all the "bad stuff" out of your skin. After a few weeks there is nothing "bad" left in your skin, so your skin clears up.

sarahufl

I have used everything to no avail.

Now, I promise I am not a sales person. Promise. But Rodan & Fields has been the only thing that has worked on my face. My skin looks better now than it has in years and it doesn't irritate, which is what I have always had problems with.

OliveOilsMom

I had this in my late teens and early 20s.  I still every once in a while get one or two.  My dermatologist gave me some topical creams to try.  One was a prescription strength astringent, I'm sorry I don't remember what it was exactly, but that worked pretty well.  I currently use Epiduo to spot treat any acne I get.  I was also given a sulfur based prescription face wash.  It smells terrible, but it helps!

I know that you said the pills made you nauseous, but can you take them when you eat a small meal?  Typically any pill that will make you nauseous, they recommend eating a small bite to eat with it to help keep your stomach settled.  I had been through a few oral medications to help with my acne and some were better with others.  Some you cannot eat with, so I would drink about a whole pint of water with the pill.

Lastly, I would caution you against the Accutane.  While it is still available via prescription, it has been known to cause Chron's disease and other nasty stomach ailments.  My H took Accutane during high school.  He would suddenly get severe nose bleeds when he took it, he still vividly remembers getting a history test and as he went to answer the first question - his nose bled so bad it covered his test.  He is also now lactose intolerant.  We see the commercials for the litigations against Accutane and how it has caused many stomach ailments and we often wonder if that is why he is now lactose intolerant.  We are just happy that that is all it is and not something worse.  Even to this day, when he gives blood, that is one of the medications they ask about.  I also don't know if you will be TTC soon or at any point, but I believe it has a high risk to babies.

themuffinman16

There is a prescription topical lotion that clears them right up, without dryness.  My niece uses it.  It is new. I will see if I can get the name for you.

knottie9c5ed33df4bbd226

I am on Accutane right now and it has been a MIRACLE. The worst side effects I have had are VERY dry and cracked lips and some minor mood swings. There is a huge risk to babies though, as well as a lot of check ups, training and blood work that has to be done while on it. I started in October and should be finishing up this month. If you can stomach it, I would try it. I had tried every other single medicine and treatment and this was my LAST resort.

HappySmile2015

themuffinman16 said:

There is a prescription topical lotion that clears them right up, without dryness.  My niece uses it.  It is new. I will see if I can get the name for you.

Thank you!

HappySmile2015

I could take pills with a meal but really dont like taking oral medication for anything.

Rarely will doctors even given me a topical treatment for acne ( tried many topicals over the years and didn't seem to have any improvement) but doctors much prefer to prescribe oral meds because they say it is cystic acne (which I agree with) and it's hormonal (which I definately can tell that it is).  and they say topical medication won't work because it's hormonal (not so sure I agree with this).  But doctors love to write a prescription for something oral (which I won't take).

Tried cutting out all sugar and chocolate, to no avail.   Didn't make a difference with my skin.

I also have very fair skin so the red scars are very noticable.   I have tried to treat the scars but with no improvement.  Although I realize that with each month, I have new scars cause I can't seem to curb the cystic acne.  

Another reason I am anti-oral medication because everything you read online, if the orals work, they only work while you are taking the medication, as soon as you come off, it likely comes back worse.   My acne is concetrated to one area of my face, has been for years.... I run the risk with oral meds, that when I come off them, the acne will affect areas of the face where I have no acne scars at all. 

knottie9c5ed33df4bbd226

Accutane suppreses the gene that causes acne so if you use it properly for the prescribed amount of time, your acne will most likely be gone. Of course you will get a pimple here or there but for the most part, you would be good.

STARMOON44

Accutane is the gold standard for curing cystic acne for a reason. You seem to have a lot of half/kinda/maybe reasons for these decisions. Finding a dermatologist you trust might be useful so you can get clear answers to everything as applies to you in particular. But if your goal is a cure of cystic acne, and nothing else has worked, Accutane is the treatment.

l9i

OliveOilsMom said:

I had this in my late teens and early 20s.  I still every once in a while get one or two.  My dermatologist gave me some topical creams to try.  One was a prescription strength astringent, I'm sorry I don't remember what it was exactly, but that worked pretty well.  I currently use Epiduo to spot treat any acne I get.  I was also given a sulfur based prescription face wash.  It smells terrible, but it helps!

I know that you said the pills made you nauseous, but can you take them when you eat a small meal?  Typically any pill that will make you nauseous, they recommend eating a small bite to eat with it to help keep your stomach settled.  I had been through a few oral medications to help with my acne and some were better with others.  Some you cannot eat with, so I would drink about a whole pint of water with the pill.

Lastly, I would caution you against the Accutane.  While it is still available via prescription, it has been known to cause Chron's disease and other nasty stomach ailments.  My H took Accutane during high school.  He would suddenly get severe nose bleeds when he took it, he still vividly remembers getting a history test and as he went to answer the first question - his nose bled so bad it covered his test.  He is also now lactose intolerant.  We see the commercials for the litigations against Accutane and how it has caused many stomach ailments and we often wonder if that is why he is now lactose intolerant.  We are just happy that that is all it is and not something worse.  Even to this day, when he gives blood, that is one of the medications they ask about.  I also don't know if you will be TTC soon or at any point, but I believe it has a high risk to babies.

----------------------------------BOXES------------------------------------

All of this!!  While I tried treatment after treatment and accutane was the only thing to clear my acne I strongly caution this.  I was on accutane in high school and during the time had no serious symptoms other than horribly dry skin. My skin got so dry I had prescription moisturizer.  My skin is still on the dry side versus oily like it was before.  I'm not sure if that's a lasting effect (I think it is) or something due to just my skin producing less oil as I got out of my teens.  However, I now have lactose intolerance and IBS.  Could it be linked.... there certainly is that chance....

doeydo

I was on Accutane as a young teen for the amount of time it supposedly needed and I still have acne all the time.  There is not a day when my face is 100% clear.  I was on birth control for years and I thought maybe it had helped a bit, but I've been off it for a couple months and I don't notice any changes, either.  Nothing has helped me  so I might try Aczone or Rodan & Fields.

[Deleted User]

HappySmile2015 said:

I could take pills with a meal but really dont like taking oral medication for anything.

Rarely will doctors even given me a topical treatment for acne ( tried many topicals over the years and didn't seem to have any improvement) but doctors much prefer to prescribe oral meds because they say it is cystic acne (which I agree with) and it's hormonal (which I definately can tell that it is).  and they say topical medication won't work because it's hormonal (not so sure I agree with this).  But doctors love to write a prescription for something oral (which I won't take).

Tried cutting out all sugar and chocolate, to no avail.   Didn't make a difference with my skin.

I also have very fair skin so the red scars are very noticable.   I have tried to treat the scars but with no improvement.  Although I realize that with each month, I have new scars cause I can't seem to curb the cystic acne.  

Another reason I am anti-oral medication because everything you read online, if the orals work, they only work while you are taking the medication, as soon as you come off, it likely comes back worse.   My acne is concetrated to one area of my face, has been for years.... I run the risk with oral meds, that when I come off them, the acne will affect areas of the face where I have no acne scars at all. 

I have very fair skin and hormonal cystic acne on my chin as well. Whenever I feel a breakout coming on, I use the Loroche Posay Effaclar Duo as a spot treatment. It dries up the breakout fast AND helps reduce redness/scaring/hyper pigmentation. Yes, it is quite expensive, but other than prescription medication, this is the only thing that has helped me. I HIGHLY recommend it. I've had mine for about 6 months and have barely made a dent in it, so to me, it is worth the price.

http://www.laroche-posay.us/effaclar-duo-883140500759.html

ETA: You can buy it online from various places, from Ulta stores, and from drugstores (my Walgreens carries it).

redheadbride15

abcdevonn said:

HappySmile2015 said:

I could take pills with a meal but really dont like taking oral medication for anything.

Rarely will doctors even given me a topical treatment for acne ( tried many topicals over the years and didn't seem to have any improvement) but doctors much prefer to prescribe oral meds because they say it is cystic acne (which I agree with) and it's hormonal (which I definately can tell that it is).  and they say topical medication won't work because it's hormonal (not so sure I agree with this).  But doctors love to write a prescription for something oral (which I won't take).

Tried cutting out all sugar and chocolate, to no avail.   Didn't make a difference with my skin.

I also have very fair skin so the red scars are very noticable.   I have tried to treat the scars but with no improvement.  Although I realize that with each month, I have new scars cause I can't seem to curb the cystic acne.  

Another reason I am anti-oral medication because everything you read online, if the orals work, they only work while you are taking the medication, as soon as you come off, it likely comes back worse.   My acne is concetrated to one area of my face, has been for years.... I run the risk with oral meds, that when I come off them, the acne will affect areas of the face where I have no acne scars at all. 

I have very fair skin and hormonal cystic acne on my chin as well. Whenever I feel a breakout coming on, I use the Loroche Posay Effaclar Duo as a spot treatment. It dries up the breakout fast AND helps reduce redness/scaring/hyper pigmentation. Yes, it is quite expensive, but other than prescription medication, this is the only thing that has helped me. I HIGHLY recommend it. I've had mine for about 6 months and have barely made a dent in it, so to me, it is worth the price.

http://www.laroche-posay.us/effaclar-duo-883140500759.html

ETA: You can buy it online from various places, from Ulta stores, and from drugstores (my Walgreens carries it).

I think it's silly that your doctor won't trial prescription topicals. I'd ask for a different opinion. I've also had hormonally-related cystic acne and a combination of topical retin-A plus a topical antibiotic was really helpful in the past. I never took anything oral. The way the dermatologist explained it at the time the retin-A helps prevents pimples because it prevents the pore from clogging. But the problem with cystic acne is that it's actually an infection within the pimple, so it really needs an antibiotic to clear it up.

My acne has improved somewhat over the past 10 years so I only use over-the-counters these days. Like the PP I also use LaRoche Posay Effaclar line.

HappySmile2015

May try Effaclar.  Can't afford Rodan & Fields, its $170. 

Thank you both for those recommendations.

Accutane may work for some.... just not something I am willing to take. 

HappySmile2015

For those of you who were able to get rid of the cystic acne.... have you had any success removing the scars the cystic acne left behind?

holyguacamole79

This has helped me (link).  I got it at Ulta

KatWAG

HappySmile2015 said:

May try Effaclar.  Can't afford Rodan & Fields, its $170. 

Thank you both for those recommendations.

Accutane may work for some.... just not something I am willing to take. 

Why aren't you willing to take Accutane? You seem like you really want to get rid of the acne but aren't willing to take the necessary steps.

You also asked about how to get rid of scarring. This point is moot. If you are still cystic acne, you will continue to get scars. So why not deal with the root of the issue once and for all, as opposed to dealing with the side effect

HappySmile2015

I don't like taking medicine.... personal preference.  I have had more bad results from antibiotics and various medicines than I ever had good results.   I know medicines can do wonders for people, it's just not something I am willing to take.   

KatWAG

HappySmile2015 said:

I don't like taking medicine.... personal preference.  I have had more bad results from antibiotics and various medicines than I ever had good results.   I know medicines can do wonders for people, it's just not something I am willing to take.   

Ok. Then it sounds like you are going to have acne and scars.

[Deleted User]

HappySmile2015 said:

For those of you who were able to get rid of the cystic acne.... have you had any success removing the scars the cystic acne left behind?

Yes, I have with the Effaclar. I use it about 2-3 times per week in areas where I have scarring. You just have to be careful using it excessively, because it does dry out your skin. I put it on a night before bed, wash it off in the morning, and put on moisturizer under my makeup to prevent flakey skin. It's a constant battle for me between having dry skin and having cystic acne.

If you are really adverse to trying topical prescriptions for your acne you might also want to consider the Juice Beauty line. I think you can get it at Ulta and from stores online. I've only tried it briefly and it helped a little--just not enough for me. Their products are all natural though, so maybe you would prefer that.