3 replies to this topic

[ObscureProtection]

I have clear skin now, but 'had' a good bit of papules and pustules on my cheeks (it got pretty bad -cystic/nodules- at one point). I'm left with these bumps on my skin, they're noticeable (not distracting), but when I press and slide my finger down my cheeks I can feel a lot of embedded lumps. It's really gross how lumpy it is inside. I managed to squeeze one and these LONG white strings come out. However, squeezing them scars my skin; they're located deep. The lumps closer to the surface have bead-like things that come out. I was wondering if these lumps will ever come to the surface? If they don't, what happens? Do they just get reabsorbed into my body? What do I do? What are they, keloids? I'm clueless as to how I can rid them. I just want to peel my skin off and scrapes the lumps away. I hope it's not deep tissue damage.

[mangos21]

uhhmm..they might be closed comedones but i'm not sure if that fits the description completely. try paula's choice 2% bha liquid maybe?

[elizabethmargot]

I have clear skin now, but 'had' a good bit of papules and pustules on my cheeks (it got pretty bad -cystic/nodules- at one point). I'm left with these bumps on my skin, they're noticeable (not distracting), but when I press and slide my finger down my cheeks I can feel a lot of embedded lumps. It's really gross how lumpy it is inside. I managed to squeeze one and these LONG white strings come out. However, squeezing them scars my skin; they're located deep. The lumps closer to the surface have bead-like things that come out. I was wondering if these lumps will ever come to the surface? If they don't, what happens? Do they just get reabsorbed into my body? What do I do? What are they, keloids? I'm clueless as to how I can rid them. I just want to peel my skin off and scrapes the lumps away. I hope it's not deep tissue damage.

I have the EXACT same thing. I am on Accutane for them right how, and *hoping* that it works. I don't know what happens with them if you continue to leave them alone (if they go away, come out, etc), but I do know that squeezing the ones in fleshy areas (like cheeks) makes them worse and can lead to scarring or bad red marks. The ones that are in firm areas like cheekbones or jawbones seem to just come out and go away. I don't know WHAT they are, but I HATE them. So I feel your pain!

[Wynne]

I have clear skin now, but 'had' a good bit of papules and pustules on my cheeks (it got pretty bad -cystic/nodules- at one point). I'm left with these bumps on my skin, they're noticeable (not distracting), but when I press and slide my finger down my cheeks I can feel a lot of embedded lumps. It's really gross how lumpy it is inside. I managed to squeeze one and these LONG white strings come out. However, squeezing them scars my skin; they're located deep. The lumps closer to the surface have bead-like things that come out. I was wondering if these lumps will ever come to the surface? If they don't, what happens? Do they just get reabsorbed into my body? What do I do? What are they, keloids? I'm clueless as to how I can rid them. I just want to peel my skin off and scrapes the lumps away. I hope it's not deep tissue damage.

Hi. It sounds like you have closed and open comedones. You will likely benefit from a combination of gentle manual and gentle chemical exfoliation since you do not have inflammatory acne.

Many people (including I) rave about Paula's Choice 2% BHA.

Another good product according to posts I've seen is Mandelic Acid. Vivant offers an alcohol based mandelic acid and the Garden of Wisdom offers a gentler mandelic acid.

Another great product for chemical exfoliation is Green Cream.

For manual exfoliation, see my sig. I'm a total convert to NdnRomeo's baby's hair brush method of gentle manual exfoliation.

For complete details on how to treat non-inflammatory acne; or closed and open comedones, or bumpy skin, please see LionQueen's exceptional post.