How to Prevent Cystic Acne

Have you ever heard of blind pimples? They’re those painful, stubborn pimples deep beneath your skin. It’s actually a condition called cystic acne, and it’s annoying but totally treatable.

Question 1 of 6:

Background

Cystic acne is an inflammatory type of acne that causes tender red bumps under your skin.^{[1]XResearch source} It’s a severe form of acne that can be really painful. Cystic acne can also be really annoying because of how stubborn it can be to get rid of.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of DermatologyProfessional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologistsGo to source}
Cystic acne most commonly occurs deep in the skin on your face but it can also be found on your back, chest, upper arms, shoulders, and even your buttocks.^{[3]XResearch source} Basically, anywhere you can get acne, you can get cystic acne.
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Because they’re located deep within your skin, you can’t pop cystic acne like you would a pimple (even though you’re technically not supposed to). Cystic acne doesn’t have any direct connection to the surface of your skin, so applying medicated creams and serums used to treat acne won’t reach it.^{[4]XResearch source}
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Question 2 of 6:

Causes

Acne occurs because your hair follicle gets all plugged up with oil and dead skin cells.^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source} Cystic acne happens whenever the sebaceous glands in your hair follicle, which secrete your skin’s natural oils, become inflamed as well. What happens is the inflammation ruptures the sides of your hair follicle and the bacteria and oils spill out into the surrounding skin, creating the painful cystic acne beneath your skin.^{[6]XResearch source}
When a pore or a hair follicle (they’re the same thing) gets clogged, if there’s bacteria trapped down in there, it can irritate and inflame your sebaceous glands. That can potentially cause cystic acne.^{[7]XResearch source}
The unfortunate truth is that some folks are just naturally more sensitive to the triggers that cause cystic acne. While everyone’s skin can break out because of things like fluctuating hormones, excessive oil production, and acne-causing bacteria, some people may be more likely to develop the painful, stubborn form of cystic acne.^{[8]XResearch source}
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Question 3 of 6:

Symptoms

Cystic acne mainly appears as the annoying and painful bumps deep under your skin. They can appear as big patches that can get larger and smaller over time. They’re also super stubborn and can take a while to go away.^{[9]XResearch source}

Question 4 of 6:

Treatment

While you can’t treat cystic acne with OTC acne products, you can help calm the bump until it heals and goes away. Once a day, dab some benzoyl peroxide on the skin over your cystic acne and let it dry. Then, apply a thin layer of hydrocortisone cream.^{[10]XResearch source}
The main treatment for cystic acne is to let your body do its thing and get rid of it on its own. However, if after 6 weeks or so you still have your cystic acne, make an appointment to see a dermatologist. They’ll examine you and prescribe medications to help treat your cystic acne, such as antibiotics or retinoids (which are strong acne meds like Accutane) to help the healing process.^{[11]XResearch source}
Cystic acne can be effectively treated by having a steroid, such as cortisone, injected directly into it. You could have some slight discoloration in the area as a side effect, but steroid injections have been shown to quickly improve cystic acne symptoms. Ask your doctor if you’re a good candidate for a cortisone injection.^{[12]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
Whatever you do, don’t try to force, squeeze, or pop your cystic acne! Technically, you literally can’t pop it because it’s too deep in your skin. You’ll only push the inflammation out further, which can lead to scarring and possibly an infection.^{[13]XResearch source}
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Question 5 of 6:

Prognosis

Whether you wait it out or see a dermatologist, your cystic acne will eventually clear up. How long it takes can depend on how severe it is and what treatments you use. While it’s true that sometimes waiting out severe acne can take as long as a few years, in the end, you can rest easy knowing that your cystic acne is temporary. And as long as you don’t try to pop your cystic acne, you shouldn’t have serious scarring once it clears up.^{[14]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Academy of DermatologyProfessional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologistsGo to source}

Question 6 of 6:

Additional Info

Cystic acne can leave behind some scarring, but you have treatment options that can reduce or even eliminate them. Chemical peels, laser resurfacing, and micro-needling are all viable options. Talk to your dermatologist about which treatments are the best solution for you.^{[15]XResearch source}
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Tips

Try not to stress yourself out about your cystic acne. Even though it may feel tough, it will eventually go away.
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Warnings

Never take prescription medication for your cystic acne without talking to your doctor first.
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Some medications, such as retinoids, need to be taken under careful supervision by your doctor.
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