Cystic acne is one of the most painful things to deal with, not to mention they absolutely shake your confidence. The best thing I ever did was to see a dermatologist a little over a year ago. It cleared within a month. I’m on maintenance now and my skin has been completely clear with the exception of a spot here and there. It did wonders for my confidence. ❤️
I have an appointment on the 18th of next month with a dermatologist. I get 2-3 severe cystic nodules on my chin every month right before/during my period. They are so bad. What did they prescribe you?
Reasons : 1- Genetics 2- More oil production due to hormonal imbalances, pcos 3- stress 4- inflammation : picking squeezing of skin, harsh skincare products 5- bacteria Treatment : 1-Course of antibiotics 2- corticosteroid injection 3- ocps 4- spiranolactone 5- ocps with spiranolactone 6- isotretinoin In hormonal acne it helps but can't be predicted that how long it will help 7-blue and red light therapy
Unfortunately, in my early 20s I got cystic acne. I didn't know it was different than regular acne & squeezed it. I still have the scar on my cheek. Please follow Dr Dray's advice!
My fiance is in the same boat. The struggle is very real. He has alot of scars from it too. There's dermatologist that take Medicaid but you have to pay for the meds, which can be expensive. Sry you gotta deal with that.
Two cystic acne pimples popped up this morning and they’re big, red, and painful! IDK HOW RED IS EVEN SHOWING UP ON MY SKIN IM DARK SKINNED 😭 and my skin was just starting to clear up
I have very oily skin and would get cystic acne on my cheeks every once in awhile. I started using Dr. Bronner’s 4- in 1 Tea tree organic sugar soap I got from bed,bath and beyond. This changed my skin for the good. I use Neutrogena oil free moisturizer for sensitive skin. Also, A bentonite clay mask will dry out the cystic acne and take the pain away. It always helps the cystic acne from scarring so dark. This is all from experience. Hope this helps.
This video encouraged me to see a dermatologist for the first time after having cystic acne for 12 years. I was scared to go because I assumed it was out of my price range and that they would say nothing could be done because of everything I had tried in the past. If you're hesitant to see a dermatologist please don't wait like I did.
You're SUCH a great educator, I hope you are training medical dermatology residents! I believe you will bring out the best generation of new young dermatologists!
Zuzana Zuscinova same. I only get dark marks that usually go away over time. And I pop mine when I squeeze it a little and the head shows up 😩 I know I shouldn’t, but it’s satisfying as fuck when you’ve had something on your face for so long and it finally pops and hits the mirror.
@@florali9996 try vitamin c. I use melano cc serum which us very effevtive. I interchange with niacinamide from the ordinary. I suffer from cystix acne too and my pih is reduced greatly with these 2
I used to be so angry at my cystic acne. I was using scented alcohol based astringents and walnut scrubs because theyre a popular choice for teenagers. The cute packaging, scents and colors promising clear skin sucked me in. I wish I never judged differin, cerave and cetaphil by its cover!
This is a great example of why one should teach their children early on how to spot snake oils. Being a mindless consumer, in America especially, is costly at best, and fatal at worst. Preying on children's insecurities and naivete is as sleazy as it gets. I can only hope things will change for the better and people become more informed and less complacent towards these things ☺️
My doctors DID NOT TELL ME I wasn’t supposed to take my Minocycline for longer than a few months I took it for YEARS. (Granted on and off for years, but I refilled the same prescription over and over and when it ran out I called in and they wrote me another prescription!) I was SHOCKED when my doctor told me that it can TURN YOUR EXTREMITIES BLUE AND GREY. Doctors need to tell the side effects of drugs to their patients. I’m glad you do! Thanks!
Crystal Pasztor I had the same issue. On it for years. Zero doctors told me it would be short term so I continued to get refills. I woke up one day with extremely dark hyperpigmentation BUT my acne was improving. I then tried Spironolactone. It caused the same with the added bonus of my period was coming every 11 days. I said no sir, this is not for me. I stopped taking everything and started looking into “fungal acne” (skincarisma) has helped me weed through my makeup and beauty products. I threw everything out and I’m starting over. NYX is the most fungal friendly brand that I’ve found. I also started using ProActivMD. The first night so much purging... it has given me hope. Now to deal with scaring... to wake up and not have to deal with this would be so amazing.
@@prviolist I was a child, so no. Why would a 15 year old look up a prescription their doctor gave them?? We're taught to trust doctors. Even if I was an adult, they should do their job instead of expecting us to do it for them.
Dr Dray, I found your channel in 2017 when, consumed with depression and stress, I went to my dermatologist after hearing your advice. Thank you for being an amazing doctor in this world of "beauty gurus and influencers" that have no medical knowledge. Also, I love your book recommendations! And now my nodulocystic acne is finally clearing up.
Biotin!! Ive never had cystic acne until i started taking biotin. I looked it up, and apparently its super common. Ive never heard anyone mention this side effect. It took me SOOOO long to figure out what was going on with my skin
bundrum10: I stopped taking biotin when I learned that it interferes with blood tests. FDA Safety Communication: www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/fda-warns-biotin-may-interfere-lab-tests-fda-safety-communication
That’s crazy, I’ve been trying to figure out why cystic acne started for me a year ago and I started taking biotin about that time. Haven’t taken it for months but cystic acne is somewhat still there. Never would i imagine that biotin might of been the cause of it.
100% agree! Nothing OTC has helped me in the past like going to the derm. It’s a vicious cycle but after a visit to the doc, my skin is clear within a month. Our lives and hormones are always changing.
I had this all my teen years and at 20 I tried accutane and it changed my skin. Now I just still have scars and texture ( I’m 25 now ) it’s been a journey.
Jacqueline Sanchez May I ask about your accutane journey? Does it really have horrible side effects? Is there that awfully long painful purging period?
AStarkIsBorn For me there was No anxiety, no depression, no purges, nothing weird. It just made my skin dry in some areas where it would dry my huge pimples. I had to get my blood drawn every month to ensure I wasn’t pregnant. That’s about it.
I haven’t seen any comments about this yet, but I was on birth control for YEARS for my period issues and toward the last 5 years I started having really awful chronic migraines, nausea to the point of vomiting and cystic acne issues as well as issues with growing (thankfully sparse) dark facial hairs on my chin, foul smelling sweat, not having my period for the last 7 years and anxiety and panic disorders. Since I got off birth control, I can see my skin is kind of all over the place, but my sweat doesn’t smell foul anymore, I’m no longer growing the chin hairs and headaches are gone. I still don’t have my period yet and I’m super tired and moody all the time but I’m feeling better overall. Doctors really need to properly inform their patients of side effects when it comes to medications, especially if it messes with hormones.
@@jennync1989 thats what I’m thinking it is but when I went to 3 different doctors to possibly even consider checking it out, I get denied and told that “it’s all in my head”
Watching this with scars all over my face :( (From my teenage acne). cries. But I have got to admit, since I have started applying sunscreen religiously, 2 of my scars have gotten lighter. Idk if it is because time has passed, or because sunscreen has prevented them from darkening, but it gives me a little bit confidence for sure!!
I hope anyone who's suffering from acne watches this video so that they don't have to live with scars later in life. Taking good care of skin as you are now is never too late. Dr. Dray's work is life changing.
@@marianne6373 I want to try it but the peeling part really scares me! I have to go to work, how did you deal with going outside whilst the peeling phase??
thank you so much......I am 62 and began to suffer at age 12. I started Accutane when I was 30, and want to tell everyone that for me it was a life changer. I had scarring left behind...(divots), and found that a series of chemical peels made them much less noticeable. Thank you for giving hope to those who suffer with this terrible emotional disease.
Here's hoping she gets some kind of treatment instead of being ignored or called all manner of negative stereotypes. I've been there. I'm still dealing with pretty bad acne. I've got scars because I was ignored. Don't let what happened to me happen to her.
I didn’t have cystic acne until I got older, around 22 or so. Even then it was rare. Using benzoyl peroxide mostly kept it at bay for several years. Then it stopped being as effective, and I would get cystic acne pretty regularly. I couldn’t stand the idea of taking anything orally because I don’t want to mess with my body, so I tried using mandelic acid (which is an AHA) in combination with benzoyl peroxide (10% formulation every other night), and it has completely gotten rid of my acne, cystic and otherwise. 5 years clear. Now I’m just dealing with my scars , which are getting better with profractional laser treatments.
sweetie lune wow that sounds like you’re gonna burn? How did your skin feel when you first started? I am afraid to burn myself & just make things worse
Same. I started to get acne again and asked the dermatologist for a second round of Accutane but they did not advise it & gave me retin a which did help actually. More recently i just had a baby & am breastfeeding & my acne has flared up again but cant use the retin a yet 😕
Silvia Diaz I’ve been on accutane before I hated it and it was hell. It cleared my face and now I’m starting to get acne again. What type of retin did you use? I’m starting to get some acne again unfortunately. It’s not a lot but I’m scared it will get bigger
THAT Bitch. My acne also returned. I has even asked the dermatologist for another round of accutane and they declined. They gave me prescription for generic retin-a. I think it was 0.05%. The 0.1% was too strong for me. That topical cream helped a lot. I had to stop it when i was trying to get pregnant, while I was pregnant and now that I am breastfeeding. My acne came back because of the pregnany hormones but i cant wait to start the cream again so my skin can go back to looking better. Best of luck!
I had nodulocystic acne as a teen but it all disappeared with antibiotics and a birth control pill. Now, 12 years later, I am 28 and I have to stop the pill because my doctor told me it's having negative effects on my body and TA DA! The nodulocystic acne is back! I believe it is hormonal since it is mainly focused around the chin and jaw area and OH MY GOODNESS it hurts so bad! Seeing a doctor ASAP to get everything back under control
I'm 27 and I recently started getting an increase of these cystic acne. They appear one by one, usually no more than two at once and it's always on the cheeks. They're big, they swell red, and they hurt. I don't know if this is related to an increase of testosterone but if anyone can offer some tips that would be helpful.
Face wash should include Salicylic acid, Any creams you apply, Must Have Niacinamide or clindamycine , Use Moisturizer that includes Niacinamide, Well that's what my Dermatologist Suggested...Hope it works
Initially, I was treated with tetracycline to clear up the acne. Afterwards, my dermatologist prescribed Roaccutane and Retin-A which lasted for about a year as a maintenance to prevent new acnes from forming. The problem was once I stopped the medications the acnes returned. The meds were not meant for permanent long term usage as they can damage the liver if used continuously for many years. So, I just went to my dermatologist every time I have cystic acne(s) that won’t go away. He injected it/them with steroid which healed it/them after a few weeks. The main problem with acnes, cystic or not, is that there’s no cure so far. There’s only treatment that a dermatologist can do to control the acnes and it’s most likely going to be an ongoing and lifelong treatment depending on the patient because each person’s body responds differently to the prescribed treatment.
Hi Dr Dray! There are some reports of very severe acne patients who almost did everything for their cystic acne even accutane but didn't help. But they've tried Pantothenic Acid and helped their acne very much. Why is it not really often prescribed by dermatologist even if it has less side effects than accutane? Are there not enough research that it helps acne or how does it help? Or does it really help? Is it dangerous? I hope you'll see this Dr Dray! Thank you so much ❤️
I have cystic acne and I’ve taken pills and used both kinds of cream (retinol and benzoyl peroxide) but I’m terrible at being consistent with taking pills every day, twice a day and the creams never did enough to justify how dry my skin gets, I’m also very pale and very scared of sun damage and rubbing sunscreen on a dry patch is not too pleasant. What’s been a MIRACLE for me is Tamanu oil. That stuff shrinks even my biggest cysts (on my body and face) in days! I’m sure it won’t work for everyone and please test it on your skin before lathering it everywhere but it’s worked great for me when nothing from my dermatologist did. Also, ALOE VERA.
Vanilla lea right now 50mg/day. However, im suspicious it may be causing my gastritis. So, my skin looks great but now my stomach hurts 🤷🏼♀️ gotta look into it professionally before I can ascertain if there’s a connection though.
My derm kept me on doxycycline for YEARS as a teenager and it never really did much for my skin. I was a kid so I trusted him. Now I have gut issues and I think the long term antibiotics was definitely a driving factor. I’ve also tried just about every prescription topical and just got off the pill after 7 years. Now dealing with post pill cystic acne. Looking into supplements and more natural options now. Only thing I haven’t tried is Accutane and won’t try it because I don’t want to be on the pill again.
just me The birth control pill will only get rid of “cysts” on ovaries which are really just immature follicles which can be normal btw, especially if you’re young, while you’re on the pill. When you try to get off of it at any point, whether it’s after a few months or a few years, they will come back and you may deal with even more symptoms, like irregular periods or post pill acne, which is what I’ve been experiencing. I would urge you to really do your research if you’re thinking of getting on the pill. It’s hard to find anything about the negative side effects of the pill because doctors push it so much and get kick backs and it all comes back to the money in big pharma’s pockets. I fell into the same trap. Doctors tell us that practically any hormonal symptom we have, the pill will fix, and we don’t have to worry about anything. In my experience, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. It’s like they convince us that there’s something wrong with our natural reproductive systems, and convince us the pill is the only way. That’s not true for everyone. Please research real women’s accounts of the long term damage the pill has caused them. Web md will tell you it’s totally safe. Also remember that if you’re young, teenager or young adult, issues you may be having hormone-wise may ease down the line when you’re reproductive system is more mature. Best wishes to you.
This was so informative! Do you have any suggestions for someone who is uninsured and would like to try to start treatment for their cystic acne? Thank you for all you do Dr. Dray!
Nadine Nikain she had very dry skin and hair but her skin and hair were oily so she liked it. Beautiful results her skin is flawless now. Everybody different so I would do some research and speak to your Dr. 😃
I was on isotretinoin for 6 months too and had beautiful skin. But the breakout will almost certainly come back.. Mine came back after 6 months of getting off isotretinoin. This happened with a few of my friends too so idk if it's a common thing.
I've had cystic acne for years and years. Drs said to take accutane but my mom said no, it would destroy my stomach. Now I have several scars. Please when you get cystics take it very seriously because it will change your skin forever.
I was prescribed spironolactone several years ago and it cleared my acne however I began having episodes where I would pass out. My blood pressure was bottoming out and I was not warned of this as a side effect before I started taking it. Just wanted others who may take it to be aware! :)
Hi! Very detailed and informative video on this problem. We should not wait and consult. Too often people who are desperate want to solve the problem with techniques they have seen on the web. To avoid amplifying the problem, it is undoubtedly preferable to see a dermatologist. Here in Quebec, to have an appointment can take several months. It is necessary to be patient to deal with the problem properly and above all not to amplify the problem. Good luck and good courage to all those living with this skin problem. Your perseverance will surely be improved by appropriate treatments
I took accutane for about 7 months from 2013 to 2014 when my cystic acne was seriously getting at its worst and it was honestly the best thing I ever decided to do. I personally had such a positive experience with it because it was getting rid of my acne and it also got rid of my oily skin. I've been thinking about going to a dermatologist and seeing if I can go back on it because I still get acne, although it's much less than what I used to get, but my main problem was that my oily skin came back shortly after treatment was finished
Wish I'd gone to a dermatologist sooner after the meds from the first derm I visited didn't work. Now I'm on Isotretinoin and my skin hasn't been this good for this long in years. Now I've got tons of PIE to deal with, luckily not too much noticeable scarring. Super stoked about not having painful acne, at least for the time being.
I have suffered with cystic acne since I was 11 and I am 52 now. Spironolactone is effective but not 100%. But for most of my life I was on antibiotics that I had to cycle because I would become immune to them. I can’t help but wonder what side effects from 15+ years of constant antibiotics I will deal with as I age. I know that side effects from Accutane are severe for some people, but I can’t help but wish that my dermatologist had put me on this in my early teens so that I might have gone into remission. And I thought menopause would stop the acne. It has not. Trying to not take antibiotics resulted in cysts that have led to scars. Now I visit cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists in search of scar treatments that I can actually afford. One microneedling treatment just doesn’t do it. What a shitty journey this has been.
Form age 13 to 22 I had cystic acne on my face and neck. On my neck it they were almost the size of a dollar! It seems like the skin was less tight there, and allowed for such huge growth. On my face, smiling could break the skin causing blood/puss to run out. Tetracycline, erythromycin, and benzoyl peroxide prescriptions didn't seem to help, plus I was the most sanitary person I could be. I thank God it never came back.
I have cystic acne but I have learned too maintain it over the years thank god but I had this one pimple that was literally on my face for 6 months not even lying 🙄
My cystic acne completely cleared after my partial hysterectomy, so hormones played 100% in ruining my skin. Had I had known, I would have had it done sooner to save my face. And you are right, there is no 100% cosmetic procedure to correct the scarring, not even punch grafting.
it's true that after a year of accutane treatement my skin got a lot better, but i still hate my dematologist for not suggesting that my cystic acne may be caused by PCOS at the time !!! He just offered to mask my PCOS symptomes by suggesting lazer removing my then not natural facial hair! After 4 years i was diagnosed with PCOS and he could have saved me a lot of heartache.
I struggle with my steatocystoma multiplex and my dermatologist recently put me on tretinoin. I am hoping this helps. Thank you so much for providing a wonderful detailed video.
For me it was physically painful. I tried everything the dermatologist would give me and it wouldn’t go away. Finally at 26 years old I said it’s time to use the big gun-Accutane. Thank goodness for Accutane! In six months my skin was so beautiful I couldn’t believe it. I had two courses of Accutane and it never came back.
aashi nizami you can do it!!!! Just stock up on so much lotion and have hydrocortisone for the rash (if you get it). My holy grail product is Aquafor, make sure you have it!! It’s on my lips continuously
I was on 5 months of Accutane in my early 20’s. My skin was BEAUTIFUL up until 2 yrs ago (I’m 42 now). 6 months after getting an IUD my skin went crazy. Still having a hard time with it. Meeting with my Dr this week to see if Spiro or another round of Accutane is in the plan. What I have learned with my sensitive skin: I cannot use acne washes and products, my skin breaks out more. I use hydrating wash (CereVe) and mild moisturizers and Kate Somerville Eradikate (sulfer) to spot treat
Happy friday dear Dr! I never had cystic acne, but as a teen I had a mild one that anyways left some scars. Moms see acne like something not to worry about too much but affects so hard on the self esteem. I think parents should see with more importance acne, like any other “illness”. I was a teen 15 years ago 😅 so by then birth control saved my life. Now I control it with modern dermatology products and you❤️
Thanks doc I have been suffering from purging due to retinol 😭 It’s been more than 6months now and there are continuous pimples/acne (I don’t know what they are!) Thanks for all the info though God bless u Love from India 🇮🇳
For me personally, my skin was very sensitive while on .08%, stepping down to ..05% and incorporating other Rx into my routine helped a bit. At that point I felt that I was extra prone to breakouts and rashes especially from cosmetics.
Undergone skin resurfacing last year and still on oral tretinoin and BP and Adapalne for my cystic acne!! My dermatologist said that it will go when i am 32-34 yrs old and till then BP will be used to control it!! Your BP videos have taught me so much Dr Dray and it is helping me being patient with the treatment i am undergoing even now!! I hardly used to wear sunscreen but you have put me on track and now i never miss it...ever!!! I do hope that oral medication is not something I have to continue for years and years!!! As always...you were fab!!! love from India ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Hi Dr. Dray Happy Friday to you and everyone . This was so great at 56 I still have oily acne prone skin .I do have some scars but mine is primarily clogged pores and blackheads . Your videos have really changed my approach and is helping my skin . Have an amazing weekend
Got off birth control, started getting painful cystic acne and I’m still suffering from it a year later and I gave up and I’m back on birth control. This sucks.
@@Kiara-ph5iq hey girl! I’m sorry I know the struggle but I am currently on a low hormone birth control, I’m about to finish my third month and my acne has improved but I am still getting acne but not as big as before and not as many. I have an appointment with a dermatologist in January to see why I am still getting acne. I just want clear skin.
@@kaykay661562 thank you so much for the reply! ❤️ I'm also back on the pill now, it's been a few days and it got worse but it's getting better, fingers crossed! I'm also planning to go to the derm and I pray your skin clears up completely soon 🤗❤️
@@kaykay661562 hey! how are you now? im on birth control and have cystic acne so im just wondering how a dermatologist will go about this. my doctor said hormonal acne cant happen lmao
I usually go to my dermatologist for I&D and cortisone injections when I get a hard, painful pimple under the skin. But this pandemic has made it difficult to do that now. At least I can hide them under my face mask now haha
Any other 50-something-yr-olds still deal with this? I just noticed a flair-up today and saw the video tonight! It's SO uncomfortable and embarrassing, especially at my age! Brought on by extreme stress, I'm sure 😕
I had a mostly-clear complexion in my teen years. However, in my late 50s, I developed cystic acne and whiteheads galore. My derm prescribed tretinoin, .025%, insisted i use a moisturizer and cut down on dairy. That did the trick!
Happy Friday, Dr Dray! Fortunately I never suffered with this but did know several people in school that did. As well as being physically painful it was emotionally painful for them and I always felt so bad when they would get teased. Kids can be brutal. Unfortunately, the wasn't a lot of treatments for this back in the day. So glad to here that there are so many more options. Thanks Dr Dray. I know you have helped so many people with these very informative videos. You have definitely helped me to eliminate fragrance and honestly have the best skin I've had in years. Have a lovely evening. 🌵🌺🌵
Type in “dr dray oily” in the search bar for RUclips. Once the videos show, use the filter tools on the side of your screen and set to “upload date”. You’ll receive results that include Dr. Dray’s advice around oily skin. In the description for each of her videos she lists the products for the video topic.
I had eczema prone skin until when I was 18-19 I got a really bad acne outbreak. To clear my acne I had to take oral antibiotics(prescribed by my dermatologist). I also tried curology for a year and it cleared my acne. I stopped my subscription due to eczema. Now I just have scarring, and hyperpigmentation
Tretinion even in the lowest percentage irritated my skin. I decided to power through it and eventually regretted it. This acne journey has been frustrating...
My sister and I have both taken Accutane and both got it back about a year after taking the medication for 6 months so I definitely will be looking into something that can help balance my hormones
So basically, what I've learned from this is that I've been short-changed once again in life. I should've seen a dermatologist when my acne first started developing at age twelve. They've been cystic from the beginning. Now I have permanent scars on my face, arms and back... Yeah, I'm pissed. This type of garbage just keeps happening to me.
I haven’t had blind pimples like this for many years until now, having to wear a mask everyday in the hot European summer, the sweaty mask rubs against my chin and now I have these horrible painful cysts :(
I seem to be older than most of your viewers, and unfortunately I got cystic acne around 12 years old and back then there wasn't much they could do. So I have plenty of "divots" that I had to learn to live with. So glad there are things they can do now to help. Too late for me 🤢
Look into doing a profractional laser treatment. It did wonders for my acne scars. There may be no way to *completely* get rid of scars, but you can diminish them so that they’re not noticeable anymore. I’ve also heard great things about microneedling but I’ve never tried it.
Recently I decided to take things into my own hands just using the knowledge that worked years ago when my teenage daughter just suffered so much acne on her face and nothing worked. What I decided was to use Noni Fruit Juice ( available commercially but expensive) so I went to our local Asian market where Noni Fruits were sold fresh. The problem with the RIPE Noni Fruit is the horrible smell. So what I did was to blend the fruits and tried masking the smell with orange juice or just Sunquick as a short term measure to make my agreeable daughter just drink mummy’s concoction. She just drank them and literally in the next few days all her inflamed pustules which had pus in them dried up!!! What Noni Fruit juice have I suspect are ingredients that just zaps up oils that try to get out onto the teenage skin. Literally my daughter’s skin became normal without the greasiness of cystic acne. We were just so pleasantly surprised at the results…. The inflammation was gone and so was the acne. Try it. Better still find the Noni Tree and harvest the fruits. Get the fruits before they become ripe when they are not soft but are yellowey in colour snd still hard when you squeeze them. Buy a slow juicer and juice both the noni and ginger root. Honey to sweeten and get an organic fruit juice without added sugar. It is worth the effort to cure the teenager thru’ natural means. Of course diet of fresh fruits and veggies must be part of your agenda to help the troubled teen.
Hi dr Dray! Thank you! Isotretinoin was so helpful for my adult acne. Many people are afraid of it because of side effects but I barely had any. Have a great weekend!
@@kaleeburns759 Hi. It did tremendously. I was for awhile on a low maintenance dose. However since I started tretinoin I feel like I don't need it anymore.
@@kaleeburns759 not everyone has a purge at the beginning. It depends on a person. I didn't have any. However, a good routine helps a lot. I follow dr Dray's advice religiously 😊
I am soooo angry. I have always had perfect skin, but then my doc gave me birth control. Now I want to get off it, but I get such horrible cystic acne and acne nodules that I go right back on it. If I knew this would happen I would have never started birth control. 😭😭😭
Can you split the pill into quarters and take a quarter less every week? That way the effects of the pill wear off very gradually and you may find your body adjusts. Best of luck!
Hi Dr. Dray- You are a tower of skincare knowledge and I absolutely adore you! I do have an important question and I’d be super grateful to hear your thoughts/recommendations: What if someone who has recently started Vitamin A is experiencing sporadic cystic acne during the purging phase? How does one treat the problem (avoid getting scars), if the acne is caused by the very prescription you’re taking to get rid of that acne in the first place? (I’m having a difficult time finding the correct verbiage. So I hope this makes sense to you). 🤪 Would you prescribe a topical antibiotic to be used in conjunction with the Retin A? If so, which one? Or would you go a completely different route? I’ve seen several different Dermatologists and I’ve gotten completely different advice & medications. So I’m curious WWDDD? (What would Dr. Dray Do)
My skin is resonably clear until I hit my monthly cycle, my skin goes crazy mainly my cheeks and chin and occasionally on my forehead. They are bright red and feel like a marble beneath my skin and when I bend over I can feel pulsing. My skin does better when I'm drinking plenty of water, eating fresh veggies/fruit, proper rest, clean sanitized environment, routine cardio.
I've noticed watching videos that the contents of cystic acne have a pearlescant look, like a white shiny look, some of them look like little Pearl's, I just love watching it especially when they come out like a solid lump instead of messy, I could watch it all day lol, I've only seen 1 video I think its sac dep spa that is absolutely amazing, I've searched and searched for others but there is none?
I started taking vitamins and slowly but surely i started getting more breakouts. Painful ones. I never had so many of these. They hurt when i wash my face :( im seeing a dermatologist this week.
Dr., your hair looks much thicker than before. Is this something different you are doing besides using the new shampoo? TY for these learning Fridays. We all learn so much from you. You are the gem of RUclips! 💎💙
I had cystic acne bumps for years. Not a day went by that a new bump would not develop. Mostly along my jaw line. I read an online post about dairy and acne. I quit all dairy (milk, cheese, etc) a few years ago and haven’t had a bump since. I still get an occasional white head but no more painful bumps.
Dr. Dray, are there any blue and red light therapy we can do at home? I have eczema and cystic acne therefore going on accutane and other medication is too drying.
Great info Dr. Dray! Just wanted to ask something very important. I’ve seen a lot women saying that being on spironolactone after many years lead them to premature menopause. Is that possible? I haven’t found any information about that.
I wished I knew this before I decided to picked on my hormonal acne, Yes!!! I'm so guilty I didn't suspected it was this problem related to my fibroids and a mass with possible a begging carcinoma, I never had acne in my whole 38 years.
cystic acne: when you accidentally brush past them on your face unintentionally and end up in pain for the next 5 minutes :D
😢😢😢
The absolute worst. 😣
And when they’re right under your eye and it gets so swollen your eye feels swollen shut. 😰😰
Miss Anthropic Hall oh wow I can imagine that ahh hopefully it’s not currently like that for you
I know the feeling 😭
Cystic acne is one of the most painful things to deal with, not to mention they absolutely shake your confidence. The best thing I ever did was to see a dermatologist a little over a year ago. It cleared within a month. I’m on maintenance now and my skin has been completely clear with the exception of a spot here and there. It did wonders for my confidence. ❤️
That's great. What did the dermatologist prescribe?
What was your regimen? Pls do tell😫🙏
What were you put on?
i went to see a dermatologist for my cystic acne and they immediately said Accutane 😑
I have an appointment on the 18th of next month with a dermatologist. I get 2-3 severe cystic nodules on my chin every month right before/during my period. They are so bad. What did they prescribe you?
Reasons :
1- Genetics
2- More oil production due to hormonal imbalances, pcos
3- stress
4- inflammation : picking squeezing of skin, harsh skincare products
5- bacteria
Treatment :
1-Course of antibiotics
2- corticosteroid injection
3- ocps
4- spiranolactone
5- ocps with spiranolactone
6- isotretinoin
In hormonal acne it helps but can't be predicted that how long it will help
7-blue and red light therapy
almost everything in a treatment is not solving the problem but making it worse long term...
Unfortunately, in my early 20s I got cystic acne. I didn't know it was different than regular acne & squeezed it. I still have the scar on my cheek. Please follow Dr Dray's advice!
I feel you now,I'm nearly 20's
@Aimi Abish Velázquez Kuroda One thing that helped my cysts was acne patches and a good skincare routine
When you have cystic acne but no insurance to see a dermatologist 🤦🏼♀️ 👌🏻
My fiance is in the same boat. The struggle is very real. He has alot of scars from it too. There's dermatologist that take Medicaid but you have to pay for the meds, which can be expensive. Sry you gotta deal with that.
Soml
Eiliana Guerrero what is the medication?
@@EG-qs1sg Thank u for sharing this info with all of us! 🤗❤️😘
try to get on accutane
Two cystic acne pimples popped up this morning and they’re big, red, and painful! IDK HOW RED IS EVEN SHOWING UP ON MY SKIN IM DARK SKINNED 😭 and my skin was just starting to clear up
Same 😭😭
same
Just happened to me too
Same here 😥
I have very oily skin and would get cystic acne on my cheeks every once in awhile. I started using Dr. Bronner’s 4- in 1 Tea tree organic sugar soap I got from bed,bath and beyond. This changed my skin for the good. I use Neutrogena oil free moisturizer for sensitive skin. Also, A bentonite clay mask will dry out the cystic acne and take the pain away. It always helps the cystic acne from scarring so dark. This is all from experience. Hope this helps.
This video encouraged me to see a dermatologist for the first time after having cystic acne for 12 years. I was scared to go because I assumed it was out of my price range and that they would say nothing could be done because of everything I had tried in the past. If you're hesitant to see a dermatologist please don't wait like I did.
You're SUCH a great educator, I hope you are training medical dermatology residents! I believe you will bring out the best generation of new young dermatologists!
I have cystic acne, however, I'm incredibly lucky I don't have scars from it.
Zuzana Zuscinova same. I only get dark marks that usually go away over time. And I pop mine when I squeeze it a little and the head shows up 😩 I know I shouldn’t, but it’s satisfying as fuck when you’ve had something on your face for so long and it finally pops and hits the mirror.
lucky :( i get pigment scars that don’t go away for at least half a year
@@florali9996 try vitamin c. I use melano cc serum which us very effevtive. I interchange with niacinamide from the ordinary. I suffer from cystix acne too and my pih is reduced greatly with these 2
@@samwilson7107 I want to pop mine but it hurts
@@florali9996 I still have dark marks from last Christmas :'(
I used to be so angry at my cystic acne. I was using scented alcohol based astringents and walnut scrubs because theyre a popular choice for teenagers. The cute packaging, scents and colors promising clear skin sucked me in. I wish I never judged differin, cerave and cetaphil by its cover!
Yes! Those products need better packaging!!
Everyone should receive this BETTER education so they know better. So grateful for Dr Dray
This is a great example of why one should teach their children early on how to spot snake oils. Being a mindless consumer, in America especially, is costly at best, and fatal at worst. Preying on children's insecurities and naivete is as sleazy as it gets. I can only hope things will change for the better and people become more informed and less complacent towards these things ☺️
I did see a dermatologists when I was suffering from this, and what helped was tetracyclins (antibiotic) and 1% tretinoin cream.
My doctors DID NOT TELL ME I wasn’t supposed to take my Minocycline for longer than a few months I took it for YEARS. (Granted on and off for years, but I refilled the same prescription over and over and when it ran out I called in and they wrote me another prescription!) I was SHOCKED when my doctor told me that it can TURN YOUR EXTREMITIES BLUE AND GREY.
Doctors need to tell the side effects of drugs to their patients.
I’m glad you do! Thanks!
Crystal Pasztor I had the same issue. On it for years. Zero doctors told me it would be short term so I continued to get refills. I woke up one day with extremely dark hyperpigmentation BUT my acne was improving. I then tried Spironolactone. It caused the same with the added bonus of my period was coming every 11 days. I said no sir, this is not for me. I stopped taking everything and started looking into “fungal acne” (skincarisma) has helped me weed through my makeup and beauty products. I threw everything out and I’m starting over. NYX is the most fungal friendly brand that I’ve found. I also started using ProActivMD. The first night so much purging... it has given me hope. Now to deal with scaring... to wake up and not have to deal with this would be so amazing.
ME TOO! On it for years 😫
You were taking something into your body for years and didn't do any research?
Crystal Pasztor saaaammeee!
@@prviolist I was a child, so no. Why would a 15 year old look up a prescription their doctor gave them?? We're taught to trust doctors. Even if I was an adult, they should do their job instead of expecting us to do it for them.
Since I’ve started to wear my mask, my cystic acne is coming back and it really sucks. I have to wash my face 2x a day now.
Same here 😬
Me too
Sameee
same☹️😭😢
Same here 😪
You look like an eternally young elf
Cinthya QS I feel forever young at least 🤣
❤️❤️❤️❤️
YES SHE LOOKS LIKE AN ELF
@@DrDrayzday hello doctor dray is having a nodule and cystic acne from one week of using the Ordinary's Niacinamide serum normal? Please help 😭
loudphantom 2117 Ong that niacinamide shi broke my face out bad asf
Dr Dray, I found your channel in 2017 when, consumed with depression and stress, I went to my dermatologist after hearing your advice. Thank you for being an amazing doctor in this world of "beauty gurus and influencers" that have no medical knowledge. Also, I love your book recommendations! And now my nodulocystic acne is finally clearing up.
alexandra badea- Wow! Happy for you!! I am 54yrs of age. I am still dealing with flare ups..
@@michellerjackson5776 Hey, I'm still not out of the woods, still getting flares on my chin and jaw! But I wish you good health!
me watching this, knowing i SQUEEZED THE F out of my nodule all day
I can feel the pain of this comment😭😭😭
Tweezed*
Haha! I've been doing a bunch of things she just said not to, too! 🙈
Biotin!! Ive never had cystic acne until i started taking biotin. I looked it up, and apparently its super common. Ive never heard anyone mention this side effect. It took me SOOOO long to figure out what was going on with my skin
Same!!! I also got terrible headaches from the biotin.
Same ! I wanted to like Biotin so much but it broke me out so bad.
bundrum10: I stopped taking biotin when I learned that it interferes with blood tests.
FDA Safety Communication: www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/fda-warns-biotin-may-interfere-lab-tests-fda-safety-communication
Whoa, that's kind of crazy. Thank you for sharing.
That’s crazy, I’ve been trying to figure out why cystic acne started for me a year ago and I started taking biotin about that time. Haven’t taken it for months but cystic acne is somewhat still there. Never would i imagine that biotin might of been the cause of it.
100% agree! Nothing OTC has helped me in the past like going to the derm. It’s a vicious cycle but after a visit to the doc, my skin is clear within a month. Our lives and hormones are always changing.
I had this all my teen years and at 20 I tried accutane and it changed my skin. Now I just still have scars and texture ( I’m 25 now ) it’s been a journey.
Jacqueline Sanchez 💙
Jacqueline Sanchez May I ask about your accutane journey? Does it really have horrible side effects? Is there that awfully long painful purging period?
AStarkIsBorn For me there was No anxiety, no depression, no purges, nothing weird. It just made my skin dry in some areas where it would dry my huge pimples. I had to get my blood drawn every month to ensure I wasn’t pregnant. That’s about it.
How long did you use Accutane and what is yr skincare routine??
I haven’t seen any comments about this yet, but I was on birth control for YEARS for my period issues and toward the last 5 years I started having really awful chronic migraines, nausea to the point of vomiting and cystic acne issues as well as issues with growing (thankfully sparse) dark facial hairs on my chin, foul smelling sweat, not having my period for the last 7 years and anxiety and panic disorders.
Since I got off birth control, I can see my skin is kind of all over the place, but my sweat doesn’t smell foul anymore, I’m no longer growing the chin hairs and headaches are gone. I still don’t have my period yet and I’m super tired and moody all the time but I’m feeling better overall.
Doctors really need to properly inform their patients of side effects when it comes to medications, especially if it messes with hormones.
Sounds like PCOS
@@jennync1989 thats what I’m thinking it is but when I went to 3 different doctors to possibly even consider checking it out, I get denied and told that “it’s all in my head”
Watching this with scars all over my face :( (From my teenage acne). cries. But I have got to admit, since I have started applying sunscreen religiously, 2 of my scars have gotten lighter. Idk if it is because time has passed, or because sunscreen has prevented them from darkening, but it gives me a little bit confidence for sure!!
I hope anyone who's suffering from acne watches this video so that they don't have to live with scars later in life. Taking good care of skin as you are now is never too late. Dr. Dray's work is life changing.
Rucha Gururaj 💙
@Rucha Get a tretinoin cream. It has helped me quite a bit!
@@marianne6373 I want to try it but the peeling part really scares me! I have to go to work, how did you deal with going outside whilst the peeling phase??
@@lillianchiu1301 Definitely!! Very glad so many people are lucky enough to have Dr Dray in their lives! Hope you are having a good day :)
thank you so much......I am 62 and began to suffer at age 12. I started Accutane when I was 30, and want to tell everyone that for me it was a life changer. I had scarring left behind...(divots), and found that a series of chemical peels made them much less noticeable. Thank you for giving hope to those who suffer with this terrible emotional disease.
bro im 12 i dont want fucking scars 😔
@@notholdini2740 perhaps you should also learn how to speak
@@kathleenb3096 Perhaps you should also learn how to be kind.
@@FinnickH ok bro
@@kathleenb3096 they spoke just fine maybe the dementia is kicking in grandma 😂
Thank you! I was so depressed in 2019 because of my acne and after I watched your videos my skin is way better now! Thank you very much doctor 💖
whenever I go to cosmetologists they literally say they can't really help me. They just sell me products and give me antibiotics i dont want to take.
I had cystic acne and oral antibiotics helped to get rid most of my acne.
Try pantothenic acid. It’s a B5 vitamin
Happy Sloth I had cystic acne and antibiotics didn’t do shit for me. I had to go on accutane
anribiotics from cosmetologists?
You have to see a dermatologist not a cosmetologist
Moderate to Severe Acne can be a clue that a female has PCOS. Sure wish I’d been told this in my teens or twenties. Ask for the blood tests.
Your routines have been a miracle for me since I started Accutane. Helped keep me hydrated and my skin non irradiated. Thank you!
My teen niece is suffering from both comedonal and cystic acne. I'm just glad she doesn't let her acne bring down her self-esteem.
Here's hoping she gets some kind of treatment instead of being ignored or called all manner of negative stereotypes. I've been there. I'm still dealing with pretty bad acne. I've got scars because I was ignored. Don't let what happened to me happen to her.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💞
I didn’t have cystic acne until I got older, around 22 or so. Even then it was rare. Using benzoyl peroxide mostly kept it at bay for several years. Then it stopped being as effective, and I would get cystic acne pretty regularly. I couldn’t stand the idea of taking anything orally because I don’t want to mess with my body, so I tried using mandelic acid (which is an AHA) in combination with benzoyl peroxide (10% formulation every other night), and it has completely gotten rid of my acne, cystic and otherwise. 5 years clear. Now I’m just dealing with my scars , which are getting better with profractional laser treatments.
sweetie lune which mandelic acid do you use ?
Ayesha Sayeed makeup artists choice 10%. I should clarify I use benzoyl peroxide every morning and night and I use mandelic acid every other night.
sweetie lune wow that sounds like you’re gonna burn? How did your skin feel when you first started? I am afraid to burn myself & just make things worse
@@fujikokun What moisurizer did you/ do you use?
Accutane has helped me a lot with my cystic acne.
Malin M Ask about Spironolactone
Same. I started to get acne again and asked the dermatologist for a second round of Accutane but they did not advise it & gave me retin a which did help actually. More recently i just had a baby & am breastfeeding & my acne has flared up again but cant use the retin a yet 😕
Silvia Diaz I’ve been on accutane before I hated it and it was hell. It cleared my face and now I’m starting to get acne again. What type of retin did you use? I’m starting to get some acne again unfortunately. It’s not a lot but I’m scared it will get bigger
THAT Bitch. My acne also returned. I has even asked the dermatologist for another round of accutane and they declined. They gave me prescription for generic retin-a. I think it was 0.05%. The 0.1% was too strong for me. That topical cream helped a lot. I had to stop it when i was trying to get pregnant, while I was pregnant and now that I am breastfeeding. My acne came back because of the pregnany hormones but i cant wait to start the cream again so my skin can go back to looking better. Best of luck!
I unfortunately have scarring but my skin still looks good after my horrible acne experience. I am so happy with what I have now.
I had nodulocystic acne as a teen but it all disappeared with antibiotics and a birth control pill. Now, 12 years later, I am 28 and I have to stop the pill because my doctor told me it's having negative effects on my body and TA DA! The nodulocystic acne is back! I believe it is hormonal since it is mainly focused around the chin and jaw area and OH MY GOODNESS it hurts so bad! Seeing a doctor ASAP to get everything back under control
Probably a toxic liver try doing some herbal liver detox and blood purifying herbs !
I'm 27 and I recently started getting an increase of these cystic acne. They appear one by one, usually no more than two at once and it's always on the cheeks. They're big, they swell red, and they hurt. I don't know if this is related to an increase of testosterone but if anyone can offer some tips that would be helpful.
Face wash should include Salicylic acid,
Any creams you apply, Must Have Niacinamide or clindamycine ,
Use Moisturizer that includes Niacinamide,
Well that's what my Dermatologist Suggested...Hope it works
Initially, I was treated with tetracycline to clear up the acne. Afterwards, my dermatologist prescribed Roaccutane and Retin-A which lasted for about a year as a maintenance to prevent new acnes from forming. The problem was once I stopped the medications the acnes returned. The meds were not meant for permanent long term usage as they can damage the liver if used continuously for many years. So, I just went to my dermatologist every time I have cystic acne(s) that won’t go away. He injected it/them with steroid which healed it/them after a few weeks. The main problem with acnes, cystic or not, is that there’s no cure so far. There’s only treatment that a dermatologist can do to control the acnes and it’s most likely going to be an ongoing and lifelong treatment depending on the patient because each person’s body responds differently to the prescribed treatment.
Me tooooo.27 and only a few. But I also started getting acne in general chin and the middle of my cheeks. I’ve had one for 2 months now
I’m not sure who will see this but face streamer, matcha tea, and dim vitamins hormonal r a god send
Hi Dr Dray! There are some reports of very severe acne patients who almost did everything for their cystic acne even accutane but didn't help. But they've tried Pantothenic Acid and helped their acne very much. Why is it not really often prescribed by dermatologist even if it has less side effects than accutane? Are there not enough research that it helps acne or how does it help? Or does it really help? Is it dangerous? I hope you'll see this Dr Dray! Thank you so much ❤️
It’s not even a self-esteem thing. The cysts are just really painful on the back of my hair line
Isotretinoin saved my life but that thing parched me up like a desert, but I'm really thankful for it.
did you go to dermatologist or doctor? to use that isotretinoin
@@tvsoge yeah, they are only obtainable through prescription.
I have cystic acne and I’ve taken pills and used both kinds of cream (retinol and benzoyl peroxide) but I’m terrible at being consistent with taking pills every day, twice a day and the creams never did enough to justify how dry my skin gets, I’m also very pale and very scared of sun damage and rubbing sunscreen on a dry patch is not too pleasant.
What’s been a MIRACLE for me is Tamanu oil. That stuff shrinks even my biggest cysts (on my body and face) in days! I’m sure it won’t work for everyone and please test it on your skin before lathering it everywhere but it’s worked great for me when nothing from my dermatologist did. Also, ALOE VERA.
Do you have dry skin
Elifnur Yıldırım i think I have dry skin that results in over oily skin.
Spironolactone was the life saver for my cystic acne. Took 3+ months for results to show, even purged, but so worth it
A C How much do you take daily?☺️
Vanilla lea right now 50mg/day. However, im suspicious it may be causing my gastritis. So, my skin looks great but now my stomach hurts 🤷🏼♀️ gotta look into it professionally before I can ascertain if there’s a connection though.
My derm kept me on doxycycline for YEARS as a teenager and it never really did much for my skin. I was a kid so I trusted him. Now I have gut issues and I think the long term antibiotics was definitely a driving factor. I’ve also tried just about every prescription topical and just got off the pill after 7 years. Now dealing with post pill cystic acne. Looking into supplements and more natural options now. Only thing I haven’t tried is Accutane and won’t try it because I don’t want to be on the pill again.
Why wouldn’t u want to get back on the pill? I’m asking because I want to get started on it for some small cysts I have :)
just me The birth control pill will only get rid of “cysts” on ovaries which are really just immature follicles which can be normal btw, especially if you’re young, while you’re on the pill. When you try to get off of it at any point, whether it’s after a few months or a few years, they will come back and you may deal with even more symptoms, like irregular periods or post pill acne, which is what I’ve been experiencing. I would urge you to really do your research if you’re thinking of getting on the pill. It’s hard to find anything about the negative side effects of the pill because doctors push it so much and get kick backs and it all comes back to the money in big pharma’s pockets. I fell into the same trap. Doctors tell us that practically any hormonal symptom we have, the pill will fix, and we don’t have to worry about anything. In my experience, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. It’s like they convince us that there’s something wrong with our natural reproductive systems, and convince us the pill is the only way. That’s not true for everyone. Please research real women’s accounts of the long term damage the pill has caused them. Web md will tell you it’s totally safe. Also remember that if you’re young, teenager or young adult, issues you may be having hormone-wise may ease down the line when you’re reproductive system is more mature. Best wishes to you.
This was so informative! Do you have any suggestions for someone who is uninsured and would like to try to start treatment for their cystic acne? Thank you for all you do Dr. Dray!
My daughter went on accutane her skin is beautiful
Jean Singer what side effects did she have? I’m considering taking it but scared about loosing hair, muscle ache and joint pain!
Nadine Nikain she had very dry skin and hair but her skin and hair were oily so she liked it. Beautiful results her skin is flawless now. Everybody different so I would do some research and speak to your Dr. 😃
I was on isotretinoin for 6 months too and had beautiful skin. But the breakout will almost certainly come back.. Mine came back after 6 months of getting off isotretinoin. This happened with a few of my friends too so idk if it's a common thing.
I've had cystic acne for years and years. Drs said to take accutane but my mom said no, it would destroy my stomach. Now I have several scars. Please when you get cystics take it very seriously because it will change your skin forever.
u right;) i got 2 big scars for cystic acne
I love having all the factors for the worst kinds of acne. Genetics, stress and hormones.
I was prescribed spironolactone several years ago and it cleared my acne however I began having episodes where I would pass out. My blood pressure was bottoming out and I was not warned of this as a side effect before I started taking it. Just wanted others who may take it to be aware! :)
Hi! Very detailed and informative video on this problem. We should not wait and consult. Too often people who are desperate want to solve the problem with techniques they have seen on the web. To avoid amplifying the problem, it is undoubtedly preferable to see a dermatologist. Here in Quebec, to have an appointment can take several months. It is necessary to be patient to deal with the problem properly and above all not to amplify the problem. Good luck and good courage to all those living with this skin problem. Your perseverance will surely be improved by appropriate treatments
I took accutane for about 7 months from 2013 to 2014 when my cystic acne was seriously getting at its worst and it was honestly the best thing I ever decided to do. I personally had such a positive experience with it because it was getting rid of my acne and it also got rid of my oily skin. I've been thinking about going to a dermatologist and seeing if I can go back on it because I still get acne, although it's much less than what I used to get, but my main problem was that my oily skin came back shortly after treatment was finished
O no... I am on my second month and I am scared for doing it
Did you have a bad acne outbreak after accutane?
As in after you stopped accutane?
Wish I'd gone to a dermatologist sooner after the meds from the first derm I visited didn't work. Now I'm on Isotretinoin and my skin hasn't been this good for this long in years. Now I've got tons of PIE to deal with, luckily not too much noticeable scarring. Super stoked about not having painful acne, at least for the time being.
Ive been going to a dermatologist for 2 years now and my acne just keeps getting worse
I have suffered with cystic acne since I was 11 and I am 52 now. Spironolactone is effective but not 100%. But for most of my life I was on antibiotics that I had to cycle because I would become immune to them. I can’t help but wonder what side effects from 15+ years of constant antibiotics I will deal with as I age. I know that side effects from Accutane are severe for some people, but I can’t help but wish that my dermatologist had put me on this in my early teens so that I might have gone into remission. And I thought menopause would stop the acne. It has not. Trying to not take antibiotics resulted in cysts that have led to scars. Now I visit cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists in search of scar treatments that I can actually afford. One microneedling treatment just doesn’t do it. What a shitty journey this has been.
As soon as any of the women in my family hit 20, we all get this :( Thank you for this informative video!
PBabeski May be PCOS. Runs in families sometimes.
Form age 13 to 22 I had cystic acne on my face and neck. On my neck it they were almost the size of a dollar! It seems like the skin was less tight there, and allowed for such huge growth. On my face, smiling could break the skin causing blood/puss to run out. Tetracycline, erythromycin, and benzoyl peroxide prescriptions didn't seem to help, plus I was the most sanitary person I could be. I thank God it never came back.
I switched to almond milk creamer and yogurt and that made a difference for me.
I have cystic acne but I have learned too maintain it over the years thank god but I had this one pimple that was literally on my face for 6 months not even lying 🙄
What did you use to help it go away?
Spironolactone saved my hormonal acne breakouts I have not had one since using this medication!
Rebekah Nelson Agree!! It has been a miracle cure for me and my daughter.
Which doasage are you on? :)
100mg
I use it as well and it works amazingly.
Are you able to get off of it?
My cystic acne completely cleared after my partial hysterectomy, so hormones played 100% in ruining my skin. Had I had known, I would have had it done sooner to save my face. And you are right, there is no 100% cosmetic procedure to correct the scarring, not even punch grafting.
J’Nae Hello! After your hysterectomy, did you replace your hormones with Hrt? Do you have other side effects besides the acne-free complexion?
it's true that after a year of accutane treatement my skin got a lot better, but i still hate my dematologist for not suggesting that my cystic acne may be caused by PCOS at the time !!! He just offered to mask my PCOS symptomes by suggesting lazer removing my then not natural facial hair! After 4 years i was diagnosed with PCOS and he could have saved me a lot of heartache.
Very painful getting the shots into the cyst, but it does help them clear up much faster.
I struggle with my steatocystoma multiplex and my dermatologist recently put me on tretinoin. I am hoping this helps. Thank you so much for providing a wonderful detailed video.
For me it was physically painful. I tried everything the dermatologist would give me and it wouldn’t go away. Finally at 26 years old I said it’s time to use the big gun-Accutane. Thank goodness for Accutane! In six months my skin was so beautiful I couldn’t believe it. I had two courses of Accutane and it never came back.
I’m just getting off accutane (8 fricken months of it) in a week and man this hits home. Don’t miss this! (And praying for god it doesn’t return)!!
I want to congratulate. Accutane is one hell of a drug. Its my second month n i feel like a toad.
aashi nizami you can do it!!!! Just stock up on so much lotion and have hydrocortisone for the rash (if you get it). My holy grail product is Aquafor, make sure you have it!! It’s on my lips continuously
@@nataliefischer6265 thank you so much love. I am from India I will have to look up for these products if available here online.
I was on 5 months of Accutane in my early 20’s. My skin was BEAUTIFUL up until 2 yrs ago (I’m 42 now). 6 months after getting an IUD my skin went crazy. Still having a hard time with it. Meeting with my Dr this week to see if Spiro or another round of Accutane is in the plan.
What I have learned with my sensitive skin:
I cannot use acne washes and products, my skin breaks out more. I use hydrating wash (CereVe) and mild moisturizers and Kate Somerville Eradikate (sulfer) to spot treat
Happy friday dear Dr! I never had cystic acne, but as a teen I had a mild one that anyways left some scars. Moms see acne like something not to worry about too much but affects so hard on the self esteem. I think parents should see with more importance acne, like any other “illness”.
I was a teen 15 years ago 😅 so by then birth control saved my life. Now I control it with modern dermatology products and you❤️
Thanks doc
I have been suffering from purging due to retinol 😭
It’s been more than 6months now and there are continuous pimples/acne (I don’t know what they are!)
Thanks for all the info though
God bless u
Love from India 🇮🇳
For me personally, my skin was very sensitive while on .08%, stepping down to ..05% and incorporating other Rx into my routine helped a bit. At that point I felt that I was extra prone to breakouts and rashes especially from cosmetics.
Undergone skin resurfacing last year and still on oral tretinoin and BP and Adapalne for my cystic acne!!
My dermatologist said that it will go when i am 32-34 yrs old and till then BP will be used to control it!!
Your BP videos have taught me so much Dr Dray and it is helping me being patient with the treatment i am undergoing even now!! I hardly used to wear sunscreen but you have put me on track and now i never miss it...ever!!!
I do hope that oral medication is not something I have to continue for years and years!!!
As always...you were fab!!! love from India ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you for confirming my spirolonactone [sic]!! Dealing with cystic acne from pcos- wish you were closer to be seen by you!
Hi Dr. Dray Happy Friday to you and everyone . This was so great at 56 I still have oily acne prone skin .I do have some scars but mine is primarily clogged pores and blackheads . Your videos have really changed my approach and is helping my skin . Have an amazing weekend
Thank You Soo Much!! Happy Friday To You Too!! I Hope You Have a Beautiful Day!!!
mary ann Gonzalez Have a great day💐
Got off birth control, started getting painful cystic acne and I’m still suffering from it a year later and I gave up and I’m back on birth control. This sucks.
Did it go away once you went back on birth control? The same thing is happening to me 😔
@@Kiara-ph5iq hey girl! I’m sorry I know the struggle but I am currently on a low hormone birth control, I’m about to finish my third month and my acne has improved but I am still getting acne but not as big as before and not as many. I have an appointment with a dermatologist in January to see why I am still getting acne. I just want clear skin.
@@kaykay661562 thank you so much for the reply! ❤️ I'm also back on the pill now, it's been a few days and it got worse but it's getting better, fingers crossed! I'm also planning to go to the derm and I pray your skin clears up completely soon 🤗❤️
@@kaykay661562 hey! how are you now? im on birth control and have cystic acne so im just wondering how a dermatologist will go about this. my doctor said hormonal acne cant happen lmao
Same here!!!
Thank You for taking the time to share your knowledge!
I usually go to my dermatologist for I&D and cortisone injections when I get a hard, painful pimple under the skin. But this pandemic has made it difficult to do that now. At least I can hide them under my face mask now haha
High levels of vitamin C daily stopped my cystic acne and healed the scarring.
What product did you use?
@@pattycakeandplaydatesnursery I took 6,000 mg of Vitamin C. Capsules or tablets.
Dazzlings what brand?
@@flxwercxrpse1871 doesn't matter. Just good quality vitamin C. I prefer 1,000 mg capsules /tablets.
I am in week 3 of accutane thanks to your previous video. It really eased my fears, thank you!
Any other 50-something-yr-olds still deal with this? I just noticed a flair-up today and saw the video tonight! It's SO uncomfortable and embarrassing, especially at my age! Brought on by extreme stress, I'm sure 😕
I had a mostly-clear complexion in my teen years. However, in my late 50s, I developed cystic acne and whiteheads galore. My derm prescribed tretinoin, .025%, insisted i use a moisturizer and cut down on dairy. That did the trick!
Happy Friday, Dr Dray! Fortunately I never suffered with this but did know several people in school that did. As well as being physically painful it was emotionally painful for them and I always felt so bad when they would get teased. Kids can be brutal. Unfortunately, the wasn't a lot of treatments for this back in the day. So glad to here that there are so many more options. Thanks Dr Dray. I know you have helped so many people with these very informative videos. You have definitely helped me to eliminate fragrance and honestly have the best skin I've had in years. Have a lovely evening. 🌵🌺🌵
when you already seen a dermatologist and the medicine they prescribed you made it even worst🥴
Sometimes they get worst and after that clear your skin. You keep using it? How you doing?
Mine was worse for 4 months then now it’s getting better
Leslie Torrez I had to stop it was making my skin burn really bad and just causing more cystic acne
faiith ary It gave me cystic acne too but after 4 months it went away. It only burns if u have a compromised skin barrier or cuts from harsh scrubbing
Video for specifically oily, sensitive,acne prone skin? I've been dealing with it for the past 4 years and need advice.
Me too.
also have really bad acne
Go to a derm if you haven't already
Type in “dr dray oily” in the search bar for RUclips. Once the videos show, use the filter tools on the side of your screen and set to “upload date”. You’ll receive results that include Dr. Dray’s advice around oily skin. In the description for each of her videos she lists the products for the video topic.
I had eczema prone skin until when I was 18-19 I got a really bad acne outbreak. To clear my acne I had to take oral antibiotics(prescribed by my dermatologist). I also tried curology for a year and it cleared my acne. I stopped my subscription due to eczema. Now I just have scarring, and hyperpigmentation
Thank you so much Dr Dray for the advice! I now know what’s wrong with my skin and why these painful bumps won’t stop appearing on my face.
Acutane was a game changer in my 30’s. The first few months of using it were not easy( skin was shedding like a snake), but was well worth it.
Tretinion even in the lowest percentage irritated my skin. I decided to power through it and eventually regretted it. This acne journey has been frustrating...
i’ve been getting nodules only on my forehead it’s so strange, my skin’s been very clear this past month
Ikk sameee
Can u discuss rosacea:
-Not acne related & can't b treated as such!
-Stages (5)
-Overcounter meds (St. Ives &/or Simple).
-Prescriptions
Thx.
i have several rosacea videos
I have a date Friday and, of course, I've got a big cystic pimple right by my nose 😂 hoping to get rid of it before then. Thanks for the info!
My sister and I have both taken Accutane and both got it back about a year after taking the medication for 6 months so I definitely will be looking into something that can help balance my hormones
Have you found anything? How you doing
So basically, what I've learned from this is that I've been short-changed once again in life. I should've seen a dermatologist when my acne first started developing at age twelve. They've been cystic from the beginning. Now I have permanent scars on my face, arms and back... Yeah, I'm pissed. This type of garbage just keeps happening to me.
Use niacinamide serum or moisturizer, around 5% niacinamide for scars and acne- for me it worked
Thank you a lot for this video. This is very interesting and informative. Keep posting like those amazing videos, this is awesome.
I haven’t had blind pimples like this for many years until now, having to wear a mask everyday in the hot European summer, the sweaty mask rubs against my chin and now I have these horrible painful cysts :(
I seem to be older than most of your viewers, and unfortunately I got cystic acne around 12 years old and back then there wasn't much they could do. So I have plenty of "divots" that I had to learn to live with. So glad there are things they can do now to help. Too late for me 🤢
Look into doing a profractional laser treatment. It did wonders for my acne scars. There may be no way to *completely* get rid of scars, but you can diminish them so that they’re not noticeable anymore. I’ve also heard great things about microneedling but I’ve never tried it.
Recently I decided to take things into my own hands just using the knowledge that worked years ago when my teenage daughter just suffered so much acne on her face and nothing worked.
What I decided was to use Noni Fruit Juice ( available commercially but expensive) so I went to our local Asian market where Noni Fruits were sold fresh.
The problem with the RIPE Noni Fruit is the horrible smell. So what I did was to blend the fruits and tried masking the smell with orange juice or just Sunquick as a short term measure to make my agreeable daughter just
drink mummy’s concoction. She just drank them and literally in the next few days all her inflamed pustules which had pus in them dried up!!!
What Noni Fruit juice have I suspect are ingredients that just zaps up oils that try to get out onto the teenage skin. Literally my daughter’s skin became normal without the greasiness of cystic acne. We were just so pleasantly surprised at the results…. The inflammation was gone and so was the acne.
Try it. Better still find the Noni Tree and harvest the fruits. Get the fruits before they become ripe when they are not soft but are yellowey in colour snd still hard when you squeeze them.
Buy a slow juicer and juice both the noni and ginger root. Honey to sweeten and get an organic fruit juice without added sugar.
It is worth the effort to cure the teenager thru’ natural means. Of course diet of fresh fruits and veggies must be part of your agenda to help the troubled teen.
Hi dr Dray! Thank you! Isotretinoin was so helpful for my adult acne. Many people are afraid of it because of side effects but I barely had any. Have a great weekend!
Ekaterina Kozlovskaia: Me too! 👏
Ekaterina Kozlovskaia does this help with persistent hormonal acne? Also, did you low dose? X
@@kaleeburns759 Hi. It did tremendously. I was for awhile on a low maintenance dose. However since I started tretinoin I feel like I don't need it anymore.
Ekaterina Kozlovskaia thank you!! Did you have an initial breakout with tret cream or do you think the Accutane took care of this?
@@kaleeburns759 not everyone has a purge at the beginning. It depends on a person. I didn't have any. However, a good routine helps a lot. I follow dr Dray's advice religiously 😊
I am soooo angry. I have always had perfect skin, but then my doc gave me birth control. Now I want to get off it, but I get such horrible cystic acne and acne nodules that I go right back on it. If I knew this would happen I would have never started birth control. 😭😭😭
same here girl...but it will get better...trust me♥️
Same
Can you split the pill into quarters and take a quarter less every week? That way the effects of the pill wear off very gradually and you may find your body adjusts. Best of luck!
Hi Dr. Dray-
You are a tower of skincare knowledge and I absolutely adore you! I do have an important question and I’d be super grateful to hear your thoughts/recommendations:
What if someone who has recently started Vitamin A is experiencing sporadic cystic acne during the purging phase? How does one treat the problem (avoid getting scars), if the acne is caused by the very prescription you’re taking to get rid of that acne in the first place?
(I’m having a difficult time finding the correct verbiage. So I hope this makes sense to you). 🤪
Would you prescribe a topical antibiotic to be used in conjunction with the Retin A? If so, which one?
Or would you go a completely different route? I’ve seen several different Dermatologists and I’ve gotten completely different advice & medications. So I’m curious WWDDD? (What would Dr. Dray Do)
My skin is resonably clear until I hit my monthly cycle, my skin goes crazy mainly my cheeks and chin and occasionally on my forehead. They are bright red and feel like a marble beneath my skin and when I bend over I can feel pulsing. My skin does better when I'm drinking plenty of water, eating fresh veggies/fruit, proper rest, clean sanitized environment, routine cardio.
I've noticed watching videos that the contents of cystic acne have a pearlescant look, like a white shiny look, some of them look like little Pearl's, I just love watching it especially when they come out like a solid lump instead of messy, I could watch it all day lol, I've only seen 1 video I think its sac dep spa that is absolutely amazing, I've searched and searched for others but there is none?
🍂🌥Happy Friday Everyone !🐿
Dr. Dray your recommendation of the product PanOxyl has helped my skin and acne problems tremendously.
Latricia Mendoza Happy Friday
Thank You!! Happy Friday To You Too!! I Hope You Have a Very Pleasant Day!!
Thanks Latricia have an amazing Friday !
I started taking vitamins and slowly but surely i started getting more breakouts. Painful ones. I never had so many of these. They hurt when i wash my face :( im seeing a dermatologist this week.
Dr., your hair looks much thicker than before. Is this something different you are doing besides using the new shampoo? TY for these learning Fridays. We all learn so much from you. You are the gem of RUclips! 💎💙
I had cystic acne bumps for years. Not a day went by that a new bump would not develop. Mostly along my jaw line. I read an online post about dairy and acne. I quit all dairy (milk, cheese, etc) a few years ago and haven’t had a bump since. I still get an occasional white head but no more painful bumps.
My skin has been clear for years, I suddenly got 4 big cystic nodule pimples. They are so wide in diameter wtf
Yup mines really bad rn. It's like a centimeter and half long 😰
Dr. Dray, are there any blue and red light therapy we can do at home? I have eczema and cystic acne therefore going on accutane and other medication is too drying.
Minh Tranle see my led video
They recalled the neutrogena led mask, but the spot treatment pen is still permitted for sale!
Get the Neutrogena light therapy mask from ebay. It works!!
Week 3 of starting a retinoid and I have a honker nodule. I'm hoping this is just the last step before I see a much longer period of success...
Great info Dr. Dray! Just wanted to ask something very important.
I’ve seen a lot women saying that being on spironolactone after many years lead them to premature menopause.
Is that possible? I haven’t found any information about that.
I wished I knew this before I decided to picked on my hormonal acne, Yes!!! I'm so guilty I didn't suspected it was this problem related to my fibroids and a mass with possible a begging carcinoma, I never had acne in my whole 38 years.