Pimples that occur underneath the skin are painful. These pimples, which are also called deep cystic acne, have the potential to cause damage and scarring of the skin. Treating acne cysts is difficult because the lesions are usually resistant to topical acne medications. Get rid of pimples safely by partnering with your dermatologist to properly drain deep acne. It's also important to use a preventative treatment to stop new cysts from forming.
Step 1
Request drainage of lesions. Some cysts don't respond to topical medication. You might be tempted to drain cysts at home by popping the pimple. However, the American Academy of Dermatology strongly discourages this. A dermatologist is trained on how to accomplish safe drainage of cysts. She can also drain cysts in a way that promotes healing instead of causing an infection.
Step 2
Use corticosteroid injection. Cysts that are painful and inflamed are at high risk for rupturing and leaving a scar. Avoid this by asking your dermatologist to inject cysts with corticosteroid. This procedure reduces cyst inflammation and heals the lesion quicker. Without treatment, cysts can take weeks to heal. Injections speed up the process to three to five days.
Step 3
Use antibiotics to treat acne. For moderate to severe cases of cystic acne, antibiotics may reduce inflammation and skin bacteria. Antibiotics are used for a few months to minimize pimples underneath the skin. After breakout frequency is reduced, you will need to slowly taper off the medication to minimize the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Step 4
If you're a woman, you can request oral contraceptives for hormonal acne. Women who take oral contraceptives for hormonal acne may minimize the occurrence of acne, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The medication appears to work by suppressing overactive oil glands. Women who smoke, have issues with blood clots or have a history of migraines should talk with a doctor about the risk of using this medication.
Step 5
Use isotretinoin for deep acne. This medication is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating deep cystic acne. Isotreition is a synthetic medication derived from retinoid. Take the oral medication as directed by your dermatologist, usually once daily for up to five months. After you stop taking the medication, the frequency of cysts should decrease.
Tips and Warnings
- Topical medications don't usually work for deep pimples. The medication doesn't usually reach the deepest layers of the skin. For this reason, over-the-counter acne medications aren't usually effective for cystic acne.
- Isotretinoin is a very effective mediation for treating cystic acne. However, this medication has serious side effects, such as birth defects, depression and rectal bleeding. Women taking the drug must participate in a Food and Drug Administration monitoring plan. Pregnant women are prohibited from taking the drug. Talk with your doctor about the risks.
Member Comments