4 replies to this topic

[olt20]

My daughter was given Differin for mild acne- she had spots on her nose and chin. After about a month on Differin she developed about 8 cysts on her cheeks. After 10 weeks on Differin everything is clear apart from a big cyst on each cheek, and they are showing no improvement. They are dime sized, hard and deep.

The doctor has given her doxycycline which she has been on for a couple of days and changed her to Tretinoin.I'm not sure about the Tretinoin as she has a couple of little spots showing up today and I am scared of another IB and more cysts.

I really wish she had never used Differin as she has gone from mild, non scarring acne to the worst sort of acne.

Can anyone advise what to do with those cysts, if anything? There is a 6 month wait to see a dermatologist where we live so a cortisone shot is not an option. Has anyone used cortisone cream on older cysts with success? I just don't want her to have any scarring.

Will the doxycycline do anything for the existing cysts or will it just help prevent new ones?

And would it be better to stop the retinoids? I have read that retinoids increase collagen production so she has been continuing with them in the hope that, although they have caused the cysts, they will also prevent scarring from the cysts. But I really don't know.

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

[gia1]

i used to get cysts and tried acnomel and dermify and both helped with cysts. They both contain sulfur which always worked for me. Some people can't use sulfur though. Can be ordered on the internet. Dont know how old your daughter is but did you go to a ob/gyn maybe she needs birth control to clear her acne. The only thing that cleared my skin was probiotics and other supplements that go along with candida/candida diet. i am now acne free. Doesnt work for everyone but just a thought. If what she is using isnt helping and making it worse she should probably discontinue and try other options.

[marissa8161]

The same thing happened to me. I was prescribed Differin after a major breakout--almost 100 active zits, but they were all just pustules. After about a month or a month and a half on Differin, even though my acne was improving overall, I started developing large painful stubborn cysts that would stay on my face for weeks at a time. It was a really tough time, but I stuck with the Differin. Now, four months into my treatment with Differin, the cysts are gone, and so is the rest of my acne! So, my advice: just stick with the Differin. Retinoids are a crazy adventure ride full of ups and downs, and they take a really long time to work. But the end result is worth it. You just have to not give up!

[olt20]

Hey, thank you both for replying The cysts are smaller today- maybe the doxycycline is working on them.

gia1- once she has finished with the doxycycline she will go on the pill and hopefully that will help with her skin. I'm glad you are now cyst free

marissa8161- I am so happy to hear your cysts went away and you were able to continue with the Differin. It does do a very good job on getting rid of pustules. It is a crazy ride with retinoids - I wish we had been warned that things could get so bad. I think maybe antibiotics should be given with the Differin in the first month or so. She has gone back to the Differin over most of her face and is putting the Tretinoin just on the cysts to avoid any new IBs on the rest of her face.

[thisisnothollywood]

I just started differin last night, I am only using a small bit on my nose, as its full of blackheads n pores. On my face I used BP, but not alot...
thanks for sharing your daughters story, hope her skin clears up soon.