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Cystic Acne--UGH!

aor9487aor9487 member
100 Comments
in Ohio-Cincinnati
I know my wedding isn't until June, but I want to figure out someway to treat this issue before then so I'm not super stressed out. I always (never fails) get one or two cystic zits right around the start of my monthly cycle...About a week prior, lasting till a couple days after. BCP don't work, Proactiv doesn't work. No matter what, the hormone fluctuation just causes these to spring up and it's all under the skin, so topical treatments--at least the ones I've tried--don't do anything. 

I've been reading prior posts about cortisone shots and microdermabrasion. Does anyone have any other suggestions or places I can go for treatment? I'm in the Mason/Montgomery area. Thanks in advance!
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Re: Cystic Acne--UGH!

  • BethP937BethP937
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Alpha hydroxy acids helped mine a lot. I like Alpha Hydrox products the best. You can order it online. It will also help fade the old spots. Between BCP and this, I haven't had any more problems.
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  • katiebean1katiebean1 member
    Third Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I would recommend going to a dermatologist.  I'm sure they can help you to keep them away.  I know they can also give you some kind of shot to make zits go away if you do get them before the wedding.  I have never had it done but I have heard about it a lot.
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  • Sugarbear86Sugarbear86 member
    Fourth Anniversary 10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I don't care what anyone says.  It's all diet.  Garbage in, garbage out.  Eat tons and tons of fruit and vegtables.  If you can get in a sauna and drink lots of water.  Would you rather sweat out strawberries and lettuce, or fast food and crap?  I know from experience, I've tried it all.  I find going tanning helps, I would try the above responses, but if you want a guranteed way, eat a lot of fruits and vegtables.  Trust me on this.


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  • beckilee37beckilee37
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Wear sunscreen. Try dermabrasion. Those are my top 3 tips!
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  • aor9487aor9487 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks for the advice ladies. I'm actually a health freak and exercise regularly, so the diet isn't a problem. I drink lots of water too. ..Talking about a gallon a day. I measure it to make sure I get enough with training for my Half Marathon and weightlifting. Guess I'll have to see a doc...and that means I gotta go up to Wright Patterson Air Force Base just for this! I'm Active Duty military and because I'm "right in the circle", I have to receive all treatment at my military facility, rather than seeing a civilian doc. lol shoot, maybe I'll just go with some really good airbrushing if it all comes down to it! 
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  • cincyjessiecincyjessie
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Hey! I have a similar issue. Despite popular belief, it's NOT related to diet.  I went to a dermatologist for treatment and was given some steroid shots and that helped immensely when combined with an antibiotic.  Are they coming back in the same spots each time? 
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  • aor9487aor9487 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    yes! EXACT spot on my chin, either left or right side and always one week out from my period. I'm pretty sure it's related to a fluctuation in hormones. That's what I've read about anyway with cystic acne, since it's under the surface of the skin. 
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  • SarahBear7SarahBear7 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I've tried everything. Antibiotics would help for a while, but it always came back eventually. Now I'm on accutane and it is the best thing ever. My whole self image has changed. I started on it five months ago and it started working almost immediately. Even my hair is nicer. My wedding is in 6 weeks and I have no fears of breakouts. Being on it is a giant pain, however, because you have to get blood tests and see the derm every 4-6 weeks.
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  • aor9487aor9487 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks for the info! I wish I could do something like that, but the frequent checkups wouldn't work with how far I am from the base I'm supposed to go to for all my medical needs. I supposed I'll just need some really good makeup if I DO happen to break out around our wedding day. 
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  • Sarahjean0612Sarahjean0612 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Hello,
    I am a former sufferer of cystic acne, except I had mine ALL THE TIME. I had large, hard, painful cysts all over my whole face. I went to a derm that treated with topical & oral antibiotics, and retin A.It cleared up things dramatically but did not permanently cure it the condition. For years afterwards, I would get occasional cyst, like you, or my acne would just randomly flare up.  I finally went on accutane earlier this year and haven't seen one zit since.

    Causes of it are all internal, and mainly hormonal. But my initial breakout got so bad because it quickly became infected, which was why both the topical and oral antibiotcs were so effective at clearing it up. But because the cause of cystic acne  is internal, there is NOTHING topical that will treat a cyst, unfortunately. You have to get it from the inside with things like oral medications and/or cortizone shots.

    If accutane is not an option, then the best thing you can do if you see get one the week or days before the wedding, is to get to a dermatologist for a cortizone shot. If you've ever had a shot in a zit before, prepare yourself because it hurts like heck. But its worth it because it will destroy the cyst w/in 24-48 hours.

    Good luck, cystic acne is the worst! I feel for you and can relate to what you are going through. If at all possible, get to a dermatologist for help.
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