5 replies to this topic

[Heather1988]

Based on my symptoms can someone tell me if this is cystic acne? I am 23 years old and I have had acne since I was 12 or 13.I have some pimples that are tender to touch, do not have any pus that is visible, and are raised from the skin and are big and take a pretty long time to go away. Those pimples mostly appear on my cheeks, chin, and around the jaw line. The other pimples I have are sort of small,are a little red, non tender and have the pus in them. I have a lot of redness from previous pimples. I have tried all sorts of cleansers, but now I have settled with using cetaphil bar cleanser since it is mild, although it does dry my skin a little. I was using benzoyl peroxide all over my face and now I'm just using it over the area that are full of pimples because it seems to make my face red and irritated. I have started using the mint julep by queen helene mask to clear my pores. My face is really oily and I wish it wasn't so much because I know that is part of my problem. I don't like use a moisturizer because it makes it worse. Any advice would be helpful.

Edited by Heather1988, 02 August 2012 - 03:53 PM.

[TiredofAcne29]

It could be cystic acne. When I get a cyst, it's like a little marble underneath the surface. Is it like that for you? The only way I think to know for sure is to see a dermatologist. Good luck!

[Heather1988]

The ones I think are cysts or some form of severe acne are round, hard, have no visible pus, sometimes hurt when touched. They take forever to go away even when I apply BP to them twice a day.

[AbyBar]

The ones I think are cysts or some form of severe acne are round, hard, have no visible pus, sometimes hurt when touched. They take forever to go away even when I apply BP to them twice a day.

I feel as if I wrote this thread. I'm 22 years old and have had the same skin problem as you since I was 12 .
My dermatologist says its cystic acne so he prescribed me retinol .2% . An I use a salicylic acid cleanser and a salicylic toner after. I have extremely oily skin but it's imperative that you use an oil free moisturizer or broad spectrum sunscreen. When you cleanse your face that strips your skins from its natural oils out skin tends to produce more oil to make up for the loss. Sometimes it can lead to clog pores .
Have you tried seeing a dermatologist ?
Are your using any topicals other then benzoyl ??

[James9]

Is Dan's moisturizer oil-free?

[Heather1988]

I went to a dermatologist when I was 13 or 14. At that time I had acne all over my face and it was much worse than it is now, he prescribed topical meds such as benzaclin and tazorac, and I had to take some pills at the beginning of treatment. At the time I didn't understand how important it was to stick to the treatment so I would sometimes use the topical creams. He didn't tell me that the benzaclin would cause my face to burn, turn red, and peel so I thought I should stop using it. I found out later that because it has benzoyl peroxide in it that when you first start using the cream it will cause that effect. I only went to the dermatologist one time and as of now I cannot afford to go again because it is so expensive so I'm trying to deal with it on my own with store products. I have used topical benzoyl peroxide from the store and Dan's BP, including 2.5% and 10%, I know using higher than 2.5% is much more irritating but I found that the higher concentrations worked faster. I think since I have been using the BP for so long that isn't giving me the same results anymore and I'm tired of putting a chemical on my face for nothing. As of now I am just washing my face with cetaphil bar cleanser twice a day, using a mint julep mask from queen helene maybe twice a week to clean my pores, and sometimes apply BP to my existing pimples. Since I stopped putting BP all over my face it seems to be less red and irritated, when it is like that it makes my face look worse than it is. Since I have fair skin and don't wear make up, having red and irritated skin makes my face look horrible.