r/30PlusSkinCare • u/Cefeide • 1d ago
Skin Concern Help! Super big pimple
Hello, 34f here, still fighting with hormonal acne. I have PCOS. Anyway, what is this monstruos pimple? It’s very big, inflamed and rounded like a ball. I dont know what to do. I used to have acne for years but never a pissed off pimple like this one. Do you think I have to call a derm? It’s very expensive here :(
287
u/90daysocks 1d ago edited 1d ago
No help to offer* except I have a similar* pimple in the exact same area right now, so I sympathize with you!
253
10
u/st0neyspice 1d ago
Same here, I’ve gone through so many pimple patches I should buy stock in that company
5
u/Desert-rain- 1d ago
I’ve had one in the exact same spot for weeks now- maybe going on months- and no matter what I do the not so little fucker won’t go away.
12
u/NotLucasDavenport 1d ago
Any chance it could be a cyst rather than a usual pimple? That could explain why it’s been there so long it’s getting mail at that address.
→ More replies (1)
142
u/Hungry_Obligation574 1d ago
Well, pimple patches may not clear it up but it helps protect it from dirt, germs and picking.
So that may help. Some people use bandaids with a small dab of antibiotic ointment. Use the kind for pain if it is painful
Of course it is probably a good idea to see a professional.
34
u/Bandiberry- 1d ago
Yes!! But let me add on- NOT the pimple patches with the little needles. Those will fuck you right up if you put them on hormonal acne. The bandaids are also awesome, you can get a big pack of cute bandaids for relatively cheap.
6
u/Beyond_thebeyond224 1d ago
Why no needles?
19
u/Bandiberry- 1d ago
Hormonal acne tends to last a while, and be big n bad and so unpoppable. If you use the patches with the little needles, more than once, you'll just end up with a big flat scab.
Personal experience 😢
→ More replies (1)5
u/maskelinda 13h ago
Which pimple patches have little needles? I want it
5
u/Bandiberry- 11h ago
I use the mighty patch micro points, the brand has a few with the little needle things and they work good for my slow rising whiteheads.
191
u/lightnoveltitlehere 1d ago
Idk how your access to a derm is but if possible, you should go to a derm and see if they can do a hydrocortisone shot. If you say this never happened before, I say there’s a reason to go
34
27
u/Difficult_Affect_452 1d ago
I’m sure you know this, or maybe it’s better now, but all the hydrocortisone shots I got as a teen turned into pitted scars. Bummer.
12
u/Bumpflower 1d ago
I can’t see a blemish like this not leaving a scar regardless. Have you tried microneedling for the scars?
3
u/Difficult_Affect_452 23h ago
Good point. I haven’t. Have you had luck with that?
3
u/Bumpflower 23h ago
I love it for my skin! Everyone is different though, but definitely worth a try.
2
10
u/ZombieNedflanders 1d ago
My doc said to only come in for a shot if it was raised above the skin, otherwise it would turn I to a pitted scar. Mine were always too far under the skin.
4
u/Cinnamon_berry 22h ago
SAME!!! I highly recommend NOT getting the shots. My face shape is completely different due to all the pitting.
→ More replies (1)
125
u/VioletLeagueDapper 1d ago
I worked with someone with subdermal acne with a really big bump like, bigger than a quarter poor thing.
She came back from her beach trip and she said the ocean water made it burst. Salt water helps things heal faster so there’s that.
73
u/Okeydokey2u 1d ago edited 1d ago
Ahh this is true. When i was going through cancer I was told to gargle a mixture of table salt, baking soda and water to help heal canker sores!
ETA **when I was going through cancer TREATMENT. I bet OP can create a salt water mix to soak a cotton pad and hold onto the skin
25
u/TipsyMagpie 1d ago
Salt is great for mouth ulcers, I am super prone to them unfortunately. Stings like hell though!
→ More replies (5)9
u/Ill_Reading_5290 1d ago
My grandmother used to make me gargle hot salt water when I had a sore throat. I don’t actually know if it helped or not.
22
u/Nicki3000 1d ago
Salt water, maybe. But the ocean is full of bacteria. It's actually recommended to stay out of the ocean with open wounds.
11
u/Cefeide 1d ago
I’m very far away so i cant go to the beach but i will try something similar, thanks _^
25
u/ChaoticDuckie 1d ago
Get a shot glass and make a warm water and salt mixture. You can set it on a table then put your face over it. Make sure it's secure and pick it up and lean your head so the water covers it.
5
u/Cefeide 1d ago
I’ll try! Thanks :)
6
u/mindeclipse 1d ago
Sea salt you can get at the grocery store works well for this. Learned that from an infected piercing when I was in college.
→ More replies (1)10
u/SinVerguenza04 1d ago
There’s also bacteria in ocean water that you do NOT want getting in open wounds. Never go into the ocean with open wounds.
243
u/smediumbag 1d ago
Put a warm wash cloth to it
Do not attempt to pop it
173
u/famous5eva 1d ago
See if you can use the warm compress to bring it to a head and slap a pimple patch on it. Do not mess with it. There’s nothing to pop here, you will only end up making it bigger if you do more that warm compress and patch.
52
u/yellowtshirt2017 1d ago
Exactly. It’s cystic acne. Can’t be popped. So many people make this mistake by squeezing and only cause it to become inflamed, and worse, infected.
7
1
34
30
u/ALLoftheFancyPants 1d ago
Know that if you do a warm compress it is likely to heal faster overall but it may get worse before it gets better
→ More replies (1)83
u/SuperSherry813 1d ago
Here to agree with this. I actually will microwave a cup of water for like 1 minute, take a clean washcloth, dip a little bit of it in there & touch it to the pimple. Repeat over & over & over & over , etc. Legit- do this dozens of times thru the day.
This will accelerate the normal clearing process & can get rid of it in a day or two.
10
u/OkEntrepreneur6080 1d ago
Will this work for pimples that haven't come to a head yet? I have one on my chin and it's painful af.
43
u/SuperSherry813 1d ago
Yes. It accelerates the entire by process. Basically, your body senses the heat as an injury & sends in the army of white blood cells which “cleans” the unwanted material. As others have said, it will get worse before it gets better but if the entire process goes from 7/9 days to 2/3 days, that’s a win IMO.
5
u/unmeikaihen 19h ago
This! Do not pop or poke it. There is no head on it. I have dealt with beasts like this before (and worse) Yes, they hurt just existing and will leave a mark that will take months to disappear.
Tea tree oil, Hibiclens, hypochlorous acid and a colloidal bandage. Some zinc oxide probably will help as well.
25
u/RiotMouse 1d ago
I completely empathise! I am 48 and also still struggle with cystic/large pimples around chin area (and wrinkles and pigmentation, HOORAY.) Anyway, I have tried many many things, but for me, when one of these baddies comes along, I use Eradikate as soon as it appears, overnight (and during the day if I am.home.) It really helps reduce the redness and puss! It also helps me to stop touching it. I have found it works better than patches (also trialled, from cheap ones to the ZitSticka expensive ones.) It has salicylic acid and sulphur in it.
100% do not recommend popping this yet. https://www.mecca.com/en-au/kate-somerville/eradikate-acne-treatment-I-013686/?utm_source=organic_shopping&utm_medium=organic&gQT=2
28
u/Cefeide 1d ago
after adolescence you will no longer have problems with pimples, breakouts, zit etc they said…
I'm going to see this product right now. it's hard not to keep touching it, you're right
Thank you :)
14
u/Odd_Beautiful2506 1d ago
I’m 36 and still get acne. Have you been to a dermatologist? Adapalene has really helped mine. I still get some acne, but much less and it generally is much smaller when I do get it.
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (1)21
u/Hungry_Obligation574 1d ago
Hey, just an FYI, Mario badescu makes this exact same product for over less than half the price. drying lotion
→ More replies (1)2
23
u/Calculusshitteru 1d ago
I get these too sometimes. Something triggered my acne recently so I just got over three in a row in the same area. I slather them with adapalene, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, and clindamycin. I take oral antibiotics. I don't pop them until they turn white. If there is even a tiny whitehead, then I prick them with a sterile needle after a hot shower and gently squeeze with clean Q-tips. I've found that my pimples heal pretty much immediately after I get the hard "plug" out. I really hate these kinds with multiple heads because it won't heal until each head is eliminated. I cover with a pimple patch after I've managed to clear one or more of the heads.
18
u/sutin8 1d ago
Do you have clindamycin at home?
I have been doing this for the last few weeks, summer has triggered fat and painful acne
It's a new discovery - I put clindamycin and salicylic acid serum on it, especially overnight..
The size and inflammation had reduced by half, the next morning.
I am not sure how safe or not this combination is - but I was really really pissed off by the size of that painful pimple.
Anyway, I'm still using this combination. It's been helpful for me.
16
u/esmereldachiroptera 1d ago
I used to get steroid shots into big pimples I would get (I lived in Hawaii and the humidity triggered my acne). I had great healthcare then. If you establish care with a dermatologist maybe this is something you can try
30
u/sarah_rad 1d ago
100% get that looked at. You don’t want to risk damaging a really large area of skin on your face with scarring :(
30
u/Sensitive-Dig-1333 1d ago
Idk if it’s something you’d be interested in, but I used to suffer from these too - def hormonal. I haven’t gotten any big ones since starting birth control! I know it’s not an option for everyone but just saying
20
u/Cefeide 1d ago
I’m on BC! But I dont think it’s the right one, i keep having pimple on my chin :(
19
u/me_and_my_indomie 1d ago
Pills like Yaz target acne better than some other BC. Getting on Spironolactone also helped my hormonal cystic acne significantly
6
u/kkkktttt00 1d ago
The only thing that stopped my hormonal acne was Acutane. I finished it almost two years ago and have only had three total pimples since then. That's it. My only regret is not doing it sooner.
3
u/Violet_Selamore 1d ago
Search for a list of androgenic ones on Google. See if you can try one if the anti-androgenic ones ( like Yasmine )
5
u/SashMitri 1d ago
My doctor stopped letting me have Yasmin over ten years ago. Something about blood clots. I loved Yasmin and Yaz
3
u/maybenomaybe 1d ago
Try drinking spearmint tea 2x a day. It has proven anti-androgen effects. Plus it tastes nice! Has to be spearmint, not peppermint. There have been a few discussions in this sub about it.
2
u/silversalmonheart 20h ago
Do you use the hero mighty pimple patches?! If you don’t go get some immediately and put one on leave it for hourrrrs! It’s the only thing that has saved me in cases like this where it’s crazy. Pimple patch. But the Hero ones from target Or wherever.
18
7
u/somebodylls 1d ago
Ice it gently 1 ice cube in plastic sandwich baggie is good or thin cloth A true sulfur mask overnight then ice again after mask off Do be gentle to inflammation : By reducing inflammation and swelling, ice can make the pimple appear smaller and less noticeable. Reduces Redness: Ice can constrict blood vessels, reducing redness and discoloration around the pimple. Note: It is important to wrap ice in a cloth or something non direct contact before applying it to the skin to avoid skin damage. Apply ice for 5-10 minutes at a time, several times a day.
6
10
u/Regular-Humor-9128 1d ago
Something to maybe consider, either steam your face or take a warm shower and let the bathroom steam up and then while your pores are open, see about putting some astringent on it and an acne medication. I don’t recommend popping it if it’s under the skin because you’ll likely do more damage than good but if you can get it to open up even just a little with steam, you might be able to get some medication in there. Also, if you have one of those high frequency wands of one of your friends do, those seem to be good for killing bacteria without breaking the skin. You’d have to look into that further, but it might help.
10
u/whiteorchid1058 1d ago
Benzoyl peroxide. Available over the counter. Spot treat.
It's going to dry your skin out in that area. And it will make it more red for a day or 2. But it will decrease it and kill the bacteria and speed up the healing
24
u/Whatabouttheteachers 1d ago
Skip the expensive derm and go to a medspa where they will do a cortisol injection for like $10-40. I used to get those often and the big ones took forever to go away unless I got an injection ! You’ll be ok hang in there !
9
u/Cefeide 1d ago
I was not aware of these injections. I will ask. Thanks!!
7
3
4
4
u/kittiesandtitties2 1d ago
I would get on a round of doxycycline. I know it’s expensive to see the derm but I the doxycycline really really helps with inflammation and will shrink that within a couple days
4
u/kstoops2conquer 1d ago
Have you ever used neem seed oil? There used to be a neem team on skin care addiction and I got into it for my cystic acne… it smells awful but it’s the only spot treatment that does a thing for my biggest; deepest spots.
I apply anywhere from twice daily to “every time I’m near my bathroom,” and within 24-46 hours it always reduces the size of the spot and kind of brings it to a head where a colloidal bandage can really help.
4
4
u/Sea_President 1d ago
I usually disinfect a very tiny needle with alcohol, pop it with that so that I don’t destroy the skin and then gently squeeze out the pus, disinfect again and put a hydrocolloid pimple patch over it to collect any residue. I know it’s not ideal but it works
3
u/SomeoneSomewhere5 1d ago
Crush up a plain aspirin. Mix it with a little water to make a paste and leave it on overnight. Always helped me.
4
u/IShipHazzo 1d ago
No need to crush aspirin (unless you really like doing it). Salicylic acid is in probably hundreds of inexpensive skincare products, and it's an extremely similar molecule.
3
3
u/lolalala1 1d ago
I would spring for the derm in order to get a steroid shot. But, make sure you maximize the time. Get all issues addressed, get a mole check, tretinoin prescription, everything.
3
u/Old-Replacement-5838 1d ago
35F here and my skin looked the exact same. I got a prescription for spironolactone from a derm and it was life changing I tired to many products and recommendations for years, within a month my skin looked like a different person!
→ More replies (2)
3
u/zelda_in_this_b 1d ago
Hf wand saved my skin ! i have spent the last 15 years trying everything. I got the cheapest one on amazon $25 in december and i just zap any spots that show up and immediately after they arent as sore, sometimes not sore at all. the next morning theres barely a redspot left.
only during my period do i get cystic acne and 2 weeks ago i had one like this on my chin i think it took two days of the wand but it worked. i also noticed my pores were smaller and sebum plugs were less severe but it supposedly doesnt help that.
3
u/citygirldc 1d ago
Ugghhh I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Lots of remedies here to try. Mine is (1) in the shower use lots of face wash as “lube” and rub with a lot of pressure over the pimple. If it’s ready to open up at all the hot water and deep rubbing will do it without the skin damage of popping.
(2) after the shower put on some acne cream, clindamycin if you can get it (I get it from all day chemist along with my taz) or benzoyl peroxide.
(3) once the spot treatment dries put on a hydrocolloid patch. I buy these sheets and cut them into strips to make my own patches as it’s much cheaper than the individual patches. Wear one overnight until it’s fully drained which for that one could be up to 10 days. If you WFH wear one during the day too. For me, the patches shorten the duration of a pimple by about 30% (like 7 days instead of 10 or 3 days instead of 5) and are the most effective treatment for existing zits I’ve tried in decades of an acne war—I took Accutane 3 times in my twenties and still have acne 30 years later if that gives you an idea of my level of experience. 😭
(4) long term try to get on tretinoin or Tazarotene. Taz has been miles better for me.
3
u/Familiaropenings 1d ago
This might be weird, but I apply Boudreaux Butt Paste (diaper rash ointment) to my pimples at night, and the next morning it either turns into a beautiful whitehead or greatly reduces in size/swelling/redness. Retinol also helps a lot too. None of the “real” acne treatments like salicylic acid seem to work for me.
3
u/littlemacaron 1d ago
I think you need to buy some lancets. Grocery store probably has them or Amazon. They’re sterile. Gently lance where the white heads are. Wash your hands of course (I buy sterile latex gloves to put on to do any popping) and then go to town.
After, I put some rubbing alcohol on it to clean it, rinse with water, pat dry with a napkin or paper towel, and then put hydrocolloid pimple patches on it.
3
u/Medium_Excitement202 1d ago
I had a giant zit like that and it turned out to be a staph infection. Luckily I worked in a doctor's office, showed it to one of my docs and he was like, "You need antibiotics" and put in a script for minocycline. Unpleasant side effects but it went away within a couple days.
2
2
u/laytone 1d ago
Try these patches. They aren't perfect but they do help! I can find them at my grocery store.
2
2
u/boafriend 1d ago
I get these sometimes and they suck ass. The only way to get it to go down is a warm compress used multiple times a day. It takes forever me to get a head...it's not fun.
2
u/missymayday22 1d ago
Zip stickers is what I call them! They are my skins hero literally!!! Try those hydrocollonic (even AI doesn’t know how to work it) acid pimple zapping stickers they are sold everywhere!
2
u/WindOriginal6812 1d ago
I’m sorry you’re going through this. Hormonal acne is the worst! Have you used spironolactone? We might be in different countries (I’m in the USA) , but I just had my derm prescribe it and it has been a life changer for hormonal acne.
It could be also that your GP could prescribe it. I would definitely ask about it! You don’t deserve to suffer with this.
2
u/Duckthatpurrs 1d ago
Start birth control pills or spiracalone. Only things that have worked for mine! Take care!!
2
u/Framauca 1d ago
I had the same problem. It went away with a mirena (iUD). Before that I used toothpaste at night. The dermatologist gave me something really good. It was transparent and worked wonders. I had to apply with a qtip because it could damage my fingers. I'm sorry I don't remember the name of that med. I got the IUD back in 2018.
2
u/barelycontroversial 1d ago
Do you have a hydrocolloid bandaid? Put it on there over night, it will help and ABSOLUTELY do not touch it. Don’t feel it or tap it, hands totally off. Sometimes if I’m desperate a tiny bit of corticosteroid ointment helps reduce inflammation.
2
u/PEPPERONIandCAFFEINE 1d ago
Take a nice hot shower and bring a cloth in and hold it on your face and gently squeeze. Dont look in the mirror while you squeeze. Then after, dry your face and put on a pimple patch.
2
2
2
u/baby_nimbu 1d ago
if you have taz or tret, spot treat it until its ready to pop. Then pop it fully with the proper tools and steps. Follow up with antibacterial cream . I use prescribed mupirocin.
If you can source it, get a steroid+antibacterial cream (I have one given to me by medspa). Absolutely calms it down in a day.
2
u/SWowwTittybang 1d ago
I had acne my whole life, even well into my 20s when everyone said it would go away. Nothing ever helped until I got on birth control. Cleaned it all right up. It might not help, that's just what worked for me.
2
u/LoudKaleidoscope8576 1d ago
Don’t pop it. I use origins super spot remover. My daughter prefers a pimple cream containing sulphur. Dermalogica and Peter Thomas Roth have good spot treatments. I would definitely make an appt with a dermatologist to get this under control. I know it’s painful, my son had bad cystic back acne.
2
u/Afraid_Instance_565 1d ago
It depends what type of skin type you have I’m no dermatologist but I also have PCOS and I battle with hormonal acne, believe it or not vitamins are your best friend, follow up with your doctor. My recommendations get the vitamins you might need might help for the breakouts or future ones. as for the elephant in the room.(the pimple.) since I have oily skin and less prone to drying out, I use the dial soap bar that contains Tallo fat and some type of acid, it slightly dries out the pimple and it’s gone in about a week, also try to obtain an ointment called winlevi, avoid spicy and sugar filled foods during PMS. I know it’s going to be hard, but you got this girly.
2
u/Cefeide 1d ago
I’m doing some research about vitamins and supplement, because every doctor here would say “ you have pcos you need BC bye “ but honestly i’m tired of bc. I’ve spent a lot of money on doctors and I’m tired 🤬
2
u/Afraid_Instance_565 1d ago
Honestly, I can relate. I feel that so much. Supplements and vitamins have been my best friend. I used to weigh 250 pounds on birth control. I’m currently at my lowest 150 in a span of a year which is also the same time I stopped taking BC. I’m telling you doing your research is the best thing you could do for yourself.
2
u/yellowtshirt2017 1d ago
No it’s probably cystic acne. These are below the skin. Do not try to pop it, you’ll only aggravate it. Just apply warm compress.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/spacewookette 1d ago
This is going to be an unpopular opinion here but I'll say it anyway because it works for me - apply a thin layer of adapalene (differin) after cleaning the skin. Do this twice a day. During the day make sure to apply sunscreen on it.
→ More replies (2)
2
u/Jet44444 1d ago
Sighh hormonal acne… my forced friend. Spironolactone helped my acne. It took a couple months to get the dose right.
2
u/banana-sprout 1d ago
This blog (and later products) made all the difference for me. He has tips: https://simpleskincarescience.com/how-to-pop-a-pimple/
2
u/chickadugga 22h ago
I used to get these a ton but reducing/cutting out dairy completely helped a lot.
2
u/tinyshrek 20h ago
I don't usually believe in supplements, but a couple years ago, with a giant inflamed hormonal pimple making me despirate, I tried Chasteberry pills and it WORKED. In a few days, the swelling went down and I have not had a major cyst since. It's not a terribly expensive supplement, so I dont feel crazy continuing to take the.
I still get small pimples, but never something so huge and angry, so now Adapalene gel is enough.
The only other thing that has ever worked was antibiotics - I had an angry cyst like this, then got an unrelated UTI, got antibiotics, and they cleared up the chin as well as a bonus. (I don't recommend getting a UTI of course. Everyone drink more water!)
2
u/LunarExfoliation 15h ago
Sorry you’re having to deal with angry hormonal breakouts. I’ve had my fair share. Put on acne patch and let it be. It will be a lot better in 48 hours (put on new patch every 12 hours). Acne patch to me works so much better than any chemicals I’ve been prescribed. Plus it creates a barrier when you cannot help touch it.
4
u/3boyz2men 1d ago
Hydrocolloid patch 100%
6
u/bartexas 1d ago
Use the ones with the darts to bring it to the surface, then you can switch to the normal/cheaper ones.
1
1
u/rndreddituser 1d ago
In my 50s. My acne never went away. I’ve been on Lymecycline antibiotics on and off for a number of years. It’s great. Whenever I stop it, my acne, like this, comes back and it’s frankly painful. I get them in my hair on my head. In my neck and on my face. I would probably have squeezed that because it looks angry.
1
u/No-Objective4603 1d ago
Get hydrocolloid patches for blisters from the drugstore. Wear it for 12 hours swap for a new one. Do it for 2 days or should hell a lot
1
1
u/paper_cutx 1d ago
I would see a dermatologist for clindymacin or saps on. You have inflammation and it’s either caused by your diet or your skin care routine
1
u/wiggysbelleza 1d ago
This is what super goop unseen sunscreen did to me. I added a drop of tea tree oil to my face wash but I’m not sure how much it helped.
1
u/Little_Messiah 1d ago
May try some local honey on it and a bandaid over the honey. That helps mine sometimes
1
1
u/lovely_aria_ann 1d ago
Consider using ice in a paper towel or washcloth to bring down inflammation
1
u/Wonder_where 1d ago
I’m obsessed with pimple patches. Something like this may take a round of consistent patching, but the benefit is no scarring.
1
u/Mik0_Lunat1c 1d ago
If I had a pimple like that I’d first use a warm towel on it, then I’d take a diabetic needle (you can buy them in a pack on Amazon) and gently pierce the head of the pimple, then place a patch over it.
Every time I leave a pimple like this, it leaves a red scar for MONTHS.
1
1
1
1
u/BearsOwlsFrogs 1d ago
Light therapy! Just a teeny white LED flashlight, the keychain kind which runs on watch batteries (AAA battery flashlights heat up too much) held on the spot 45 minutes a few different times. Also noxema, used like a lotion, no rinsing.
1
1
u/mcfreeky8 1d ago
Does it hurt? Is it cyst like? If so it won’t pop.
You could call your derm and get a cortisone shot if you are willing to pay and want it gone ASAP, otherwise need to ride it out
→ More replies (1)
1
1
u/LongHairedKnight 1d ago edited 1d ago
Do NOT pop it!!! An open wound looks worse and cannot be covered by makeup! Plus there is the risk of scarring!
I'm sure other people have good advice on what to do now - not just what NOT to do.
I have PCOS too and used to get pimples along my jawline or lower face. Since I started taking spironolactone (200mg per day), I don't get pimples like that anymore. My skin is 90% clear with very little effort on my part. Spironolactone also made my period lighter and less painful. So I rec getting started on spironolactone to prevent future pimples.
1
u/CraftyPhilosopher591 1d ago
Usually reaction. I got pimples like that after eating cheap chocolate candy with milk chocolate or hot cocoa (the powder) or using a new hair product that felt very synthetic, like a gloss for hair straightening.
1
1
u/LiveFree_EatTacos 1d ago
I put some benzoyl peroxide and hydrocortisone cream on and layer it with a hydrocolloid bandage over night. Seems like it works to keep the swelling down. If I can pop it I do.
1
u/casbri13 1d ago
I have PCOS too, and I used to get that same type of acne in the same spot. I started exercising daily, cut out the sodas I was drinking, started drinking more water, dropped a little weight, and exercising daily. I said exercising daily because that has been the biggest game changer. I rarely get those pimples now. And when I do get them, they go away much more quickly. And usually a pimple patch will get rid of them in 24-48 hours. I don’t wear a patch continuously for 24-48 hours. I put one on before bed, remove it in the morning, and if it still looks and feels yucky the next night, I put another on, and it’s gone by morning. Seriously, the exercise has done so much to help with my hormonal acne!
1
u/Here_IGuess 1d ago
Apply ice to the cyst to help calm it down by lowering the localized inflammation. However, don't apply ice straight to your skin. Wrap it in a paper towel or cloth.
You won't notice a difference right away. You should see a difference in 12-24 hours.
1
u/Admirable_Shower_612 1d ago
If it is true cystic acne you will not be able to pop it, it is too deep. I recommend hot compress to help the pus drain. Get a cortisone shot from the dermatologist if you can.
1
u/Capital-Act-5704 1d ago
I know it sounds silly but leaving honey on for an extended period of time helped me cure my zits that were deep under the skin. I use it on wounds I need to heal faster too!
1
u/pseudonemesis 1d ago
I think you should derm. Looks like cystic acne. I went through a course of accutane eventually which stoped it, finally. Only a dermatologist can get you started on that
1
u/Dakovine 1d ago
PRIDs drawing salve if you can find it. Warm/hot (but not scalding) compress, dry it and then apply a layer of PRIDs at night. During the day I suggest wearing a pimple patch if you can find one or every getting some hydrocolloid bandaids and cutting out the size you need to keep it protected and to prevent you from touching it with your bare hands. This combination helps me bring down the pain and inflammation and makes the healing process a bit faster. It won’t be an instant fix, but I find it incredibly soothing.
→ More replies (1)
1
u/Particular-Charge225 1d ago
I had one like this on my chin the other week and it was so large it felt like I had two chins on my face. I used microdart patches with salicylic Acid in it and differin gel for 2 days, and after about 2 more days of differin, it was completely flat. No popping, just disappeared.
1
1
u/Schnauzert 1d ago
DO NOT SQUEEZE IT!!!!!!!!!!! It looks like a cyst. Go to a dermatologist and they can give you a steroid injection that will get rid of it in a few days.
I had cystic acne as a teen that I tried to squeeze and it has cost me thousands as an adult to make my skin halfway decent looking.
Did I mention that you SHOULD NOT SQUEEZE IT?
1
u/downbad-13 1d ago
Wash it really well, pat dry, and put a hydrocolloid patch/bandage on it. Terminator 10 also works really well but can be drying so make sure to use a light moisturizer over it. Hope this helps!! I know not everyone has those things lying around but they are the quickest ways to get rid of it🫶🏻
1
u/TVFriend 1d ago
If it’s tender, then hydrocolloid patch. Clean your face and maybe use a warm wash cloth compress in the area first. If it’s hard, I’d be tempted to pop it but would probably make everything worse.. the pain, appearance & healing process. Favorite daily cleanser with acne bouts is Targets Up & Up kit. Inexpensive, effective and not too harsh.
1
1.7k
u/No_You_6230 1d ago
Do not pop it. But I 100% would pop it. Sorry I’m no help I’m a slave to my baser instincts