I don't think you can grow out of cystic acne - you have to treat it. Also, from what i've heard and experienced, topicals are not a great first line of defense. It is suggested that cysts are diet related so you may want to cut out dairy and gluten to see if that is your issue. Citrus has also affected some people. If your acne follows a hormonal pattern then spiro or birth control may work. As a last resort, there is accutane. Don't give up hope. There are other things to try besides anti biotics. It may also be worth it to see a naturopath if you can afford and are overwhelmed by all the information.

Alot of people recommend roaccutane as a treatment, ive been on it for 2months and 13 days and its only gotten worse but my doctor told me it needs time so ill just wait it out a bit more i hope it really clears everything up ( its really depressing

Hello Everyone,

I want to start off by saying that although this heart breaking, embarrassing, self esteem robbing "situation" has you feeling like it will never change, it will. I never thought I would get rid of my acne. I would cry pray try every new product and even tried getting on Accutane. I am here to share some of this experience and hopefully give you a regimen that may help you get rid of acne.

Here is my story:

When I was pregnant with my first son, like everything else changes, so did my skin. My skin was very dry but very oily on my face. I started to get black heads and white heads and acne on my back and chest. It wasn't too bad and was hoping it was just from the hormones. Shortly after having my son it went away. Well for the most part. When he was about 8 or 9 months it came back except now with cystic acne along my jawline. I started using dial soap and it went away,again for the most part, still leaving some behind. In 2012 I broke out like you couldn't even imagine. My face was one BIG infection. It was even like purple and black under the skin. Pimples would just pop and ooze and I would have to change my pillow case everyday because of everything that would be on it by the time I woke up,and the cystic acne was now on my neck as well. I was absolutely horrified! I would cry and cry and hated going outside because I was so embarrassed. Even with makeup you could see it. I looked deformed or like I had tumors on my face from how bad the cysts were. So then I decided to try proactive. Worst decision ever! It burned my face and scarred it soooo bad. after that I started using Selsun Blue and it helped tremendously. for about 5 months and I started breaking out again but not with the cystic acne. Then I tried Cetaphil and that helped for a while. Then one day I saw a lotion in my moms room (Vanicream) the stuff was amazing on my super dry face (which was surprising since EVERYTHING else made me break out) So I go to Walgreens after using the whole tub of the Vanicream (it was brand new) Then I saw Vanicream Cleansing Bar. It is free of dyes, lanolin, fragrance, parabens. Its non-comedogenic and even gluten free. These are things that a lot of us that have acne are allergic to and don't even know it!

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Bianca's Regimen:

Morning; Wash face with the Vanicream cleansing bar,then I let it dry and put Vanicream lotion on to moisturize (I do it lightly because it's pretty thick lotion)

Bedtime; I wash my face with the cleansing bar, let dry, with a round cotton pad i go over my face with Witch Hazel (T.N Dickinson's). Let dry then i put on Derma E's Tea Tree and Vitamin E oil on with my clean finger/s.

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So thats what I have been doing for about two months and my face and skin has improved soooooo much!!! I am really surprised at my results.Note: this won't work for everybody but hopefully it'll help somebody! Once again I know how it is to live with acne, and i never join groups like this but I really want to help someone get there healthy skin back! I had many scars from picking my face and the proactive as well.My red skin is about 80% gone, my scars are fading and my blackheads are coming out by themselves!!! no picking or anything!! I've been looking into buying this oil from Derma E called skinbiotics, it has tea tree oil and oregano oil and it says its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-septic. If I decide to try it I'll let yall know.

You may also want to know what kind of make up I use since it isn't clogging my pores, well i use Estee Lauder double wear max. coverage. On top of NOT clogging my pores, it makes my skin look healthy and covers my scars well! I use it everyday and it lasts me about 6-7 months. So well worth it!!

Costs:

Vanicream Cleansing Bar-$4

Vanicream Lotion -$15

Witch Hazel -$4

Derma E Tea Tree &

Vitamin E Oil -$12

Estee Lauder Makeup -$30

I hope this was helpful to everyone! Good Luck!

Bianca

I sincerely hope you find something to at least ease the progress of your acne.

Definitely try the antibiotics for a time, don't know if it'll happen to you but I had an IB pretty soon after getting on them - so prepare for the possibility =\

I haven't heard of a salt and baking soda mask but it sounds really abrasive (the salt) in that you have to remove it somehow.

Consider BCPs or a skin routine that your dr suggests or one you find may work for you here on the boards.

Unfortunately it's all trial and error, figuring it out along the way. It's really difficult to use something and want it to work straight away but realize you have to give it time. Good luck.