So sorry you are having such a rough time but I used to have this kind of acne so I know what you are going through. You have cystic acne...a deeper kind of acne...and probably some rosacea as well. What this means is that topical BP may be too irritating for your skin and irritation makes cystic acne worse rather than better. In other words, the benefits of BP are lost due to the increase in irritation. If you really want to get clear you need to see a dermatologist or at least your family physician if they know how to treat cystic acne. Personally I think a dermatologist would be better in your situation because you want to avoid scarring. Here is the regimen that finally got me clear after DECADES of your kind of cystic acne. Getting rid of inflammed cystic acne and controlling rosacea is a life-long battle and takes patience and a multi-prong approach.

1. Stop eating all dairy, wheat, caffeine, sugary foods, oils (no dressings, or added oils in cooking, butter, margarine, or fried foods). Eat fresh natural foods, not fast foods. This is the best diet for inflammatory diseases (acne, rosacea, etc.) as it controls inflammation and helps the skin to heal.

2. Use a BP cleanser such as the one listed in my signature. It will kill the acne bacteria without irritating your skin like a topical BP. Use tepid water and GENTLY swirl the cleanser on to the count of 60 and then rinse. Dab dry - do not rub. Avoid irritating your sensitive skin!

3. Apply a topical antibiotic (this is where you need a derm or doc to prescribe something for you). I like Cleocin-T. It soothes the skin, kills acne bacteria, and helps prevent future breakouts. When I started using Cleocin-T all my cystic acne stopped but to have totally clear skin I had to do the rest of this regimen.

4. Apply lotion to help protect and heal the skin. DML lotion is the one my derm recommends as it was specifically developed for sensitive acne prone skin. I LOVE it...goes on lightly and dries quickly.

5. Use a little powder to help cover. I like Physician's Choice airbrush powder...so soothing and it has a bit of SPF. Personally my skin will not tolerate any lotion SPF...always breakout but the powder is okay.

6. Take about 30 mg of zinc a day.

7. Drink tons of water every day.

8. I take Spironolactone which blocks androgens --- they are what causes cystic acne. I only take 50 mg a day and there are no side effects other than I have to pee about an hour after taking it.

9. Do a monthly professional microderm. This helps open pores so that the rest of the regimen can work better.

The regimen I'm on is in my signature below. Print if off and take it to your doc or derm. It was developed by my derm who is specialist in adult acne, especially chronic cystic acne. And on it I am now 99% clear.

Hope this helps you!

So sorry you are having such a rough time but I used to have this kind of acne so I know what you are going through. You have cystic acne...a deeper kind of acne...and probably some rosacea as well. What this means is that topical BP may be too irritating for your skin and irritation makes cystic acne worse rather than better. In other words, the benefits of BP are lost due to the increase in irritation. If you really want to get clear you need to see a dermatologist or at least your family physician if they know how to treat cystic acne. Personally I think a dermatologist would be better in your situation because you want to avoid scarring. Here is the regimen that finally got me clear after DECADES of your kind of cystic acne. Getting rid of inflammed cystic acne and controlling rosacea is a life-long battle and takes patience and a multi-prong approach.

 

1. Stop eating all dairy, wheat, caffeine, sugary foods, oils (no dressings, or added oils in cooking, butter, margarine, or fried foods). Eat fresh natural foods, not fast foods. This is the best diet for inflammatory diseases (acne, rosacea, etc.) as it controls inflammation and helps the skin to heal.

 

2. Use a BP cleanser such as the one listed in my signature. It will kill the acne bacteria without irritating your skin like a topical BP. Use tepid water and GENTLY swirl the cleanser on to the count of 60 and then rinse. Dab dry - do not rub. Avoid irritating your sensitive skin!

 

3. Apply a topical antibiotic (this is where you need a derm or doc to prescribe something for you). I like Cleocin-T. It soothes the skin, kills acne bacteria, and helps prevent future breakouts. When I started using Cleocin-T all my cystic acne stopped but to have totally clear skin I had to do the rest of this regimen.

 

4. Apply lotion to help protect and heal the skin. DML lotion is the one my derm recommends as it was specifically developed for sensitive acne prone skin. I LOVE it...goes on lightly and dries quickly.

 

5. Use a little powder to help cover. I like Physician's Choice airbrush powder...so soothing and it has a bit of SPF. Personally my skin will not tolerate any lotion SPF...always breakout but the powder is okay.

 

6. Take about 30 mg of zinc a day.

 

7. Drink tons of water every day.

 

8. I take Spironolactone which blocks androgens --- they are what causes cystic acne. I only take 50 mg a day and there are no side effects other than I have to pee about an hour after taking it.

 

9. Do a monthly professional microderm. This helps open pores so that the rest of the regimen can work better.

 

The regimen I'm on is in my signature below. Print if off and take it to your doc or derm. It was developed by my derm who is specialist in adult acne, especially chronic cystic acne. And on it I am now 99% clear.

 

Hope this helps you!

Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to try and help me with my problems! Im very happy for you that your skin is 98% clear! WOW i can only dream of that one day being me.

I do have sever cystic acne. (ugh its so ugly to say that) ive been in denial and turn to this form to seek help emotionally and physically. What i dont understand is i see SO MANY people with cystic acne, even worse then mine bless their souls who have turned around using the reg. Is it normal for the reg to take this long? I feel like i dont want to give up and switch it up because im already 5 weeks in, what if clear skin is right around the corner? EVen tho week by week its just getting wrose and worse.... i dont know what to do. As for the rocesa i can see how it looks like i do have that, i used flash on these photos so it looks more red and the redness is mainly hyperpimentation and due to the fact i had just done my morning reg, and applied 1/2 a pump of aha in with my lotion. I eat fairly clean, no dairy and i havent eated meat in about 7 years (minus fish) i work out every other day for about 2 hours i drink 3 L of water a day, I take vitamins out the yingyang lol. i dont know what to do I feel like the reg has only made my acne worse but is this just a pruge? I do pop my pimples i know its bad but i can STAND having bumps under my makeup when i do wear it (I wear makeup everyday to work)but then never on the weekends orevenings.

This is the lowest iveever felt in my life. im at a loss.

 

So sorry you are having such a rough time but I used to have this kind of acne so I know what you are going through. You have cystic acne...a deeper kind of acne...and probably some rosacea as well. What this means is that topical BP may be too irritating for your skin and irritation makes cystic acne worse rather than better. In other words, the benefits of BP are lost due to the increase in irritation. If you really want to get clear you need to see a dermatologist or at least your family physician if they know how to treat cystic acne. Personally I think a dermatologist would be better in your situation because you want to avoid scarring. Here is the regimen that finally got me clear after DECADES of your kind of cystic acne. Getting rid of inflammed cystic acne and controlling rosacea is a life-long battle and takes patience and a multi-prong approach.

1. Stop eating all dairy, wheat, caffeine, sugary foods, oils (no dressings, or added oils in cooking, butter, margarine, or fried foods). Eat fresh natural foods, not fast foods. This is the best diet for inflammatory diseases (acne, rosacea, etc.) as it controls inflammation and helps the skin to heal.

2. Use a BP cleanser such as the one listed in my signature. It will kill the acne bacteria without irritating your skin like a topical BP. Use tepid water and GENTLY swirl the cleanser on to the count of 60 and then rinse. Dab dry - do not rub. Avoid irritating your sensitive skin!

3. Apply a topical antibiotic (this is where you need a derm or doc to prescribe something for you). I like Cleocin-T. It soothes the skin, kills acne bacteria, and helps prevent future breakouts. When I started using Cleocin-T all my cystic acne stopped but to have totally clear skin I had to do the rest of this regimen.

4. Apply lotion to help protect and heal the skin. DML lotion is the one my derm recommends as it was specifically developed for sensitive acne prone skin. I LOVE it...goes on lightly and dries quickly.

5. Use a little powder to help cover. I like Physician's Choice airbrush powder...so soothing and it has a bit of SPF. Personally my skin will not tolerate any lotion SPF...always breakout but the powder is okay.

6. Take about 30 mg of zinc a day.

7. Drink tons of water every day.

8. I take Spironolactone which blocks androgens --- they are what causes cystic acne. I only take 50 mg a day and there are no side effects other than I have to pee about an hour after taking it.

9. Do a monthly professional microderm. This helps open pores so that the rest of the regimen can work better.

The regimen I'm on is in my signature below. Print if off and take it to your doc or derm. It was developed by my derm who is specialist in adult acne, especially chronic cystic acne. And on it I am now 99% clear.

Hope this helps you!

Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to try and help me with my problems! Im very happy for you that your skin is 98% clear! WOW i can only dream of that one day being me.

I do have sever cystic acne. (ugh its so ugly to say that) ive been in denial and turn to this form to seek help emotionally and physically. What i dont understand is i see SO MANY people with cystic acne, even worse then mine bless their souls who have turned around using the reg. Is it normal for the reg to take this long? I feel like i dont want to give up and switch it up because im already 5 weeks in, what if clear skin is right around the corner? EVen tho week by week its just getting wrose and worse.... i dont know what to do. As for the rocesa i can see how it looks like i do have that, i used flash on these photos so it looks more red and the redness is mainly hyperpimentation and due to the fact i had just done my morning reg, and applied 1/2 a pump of aha in with my lotion. I eat fairly clean, no dairy and i havent eated meat in about 7 years (minus fish) i work out every other day for about 2 hours i drink 3 L of water a day, I take vitamins out the yingyang lol. i dont know what to do I feel like the reg has only made my acne worse but is this just a pruge? I do pop my pimples i know its bad but i can STAND having bumps under my makeup when i do wear it (I wear makeup everyday to work)but then never on the weekends orevenings.

This is the lowest iveever felt in my life. im at a loss.

Keep at it Hun. Give it at least 3 months. I know what it feels like to be on an acne regimen and to watch your face decline. I developed eczema from the regimen due to my sensitive skin and it has made it so difficult to use topicals. My acne too is worsening day by day. I see derm # 8 on August 4 th so we shall see. CVD was correct that spiro could be helpful. If the regimen doesn't work, that could be your next step.