Having clear skin is not a matter of being vain or being judgmental about how your look. It can affect your whole outlook on life, such as how you feel about yourself. Depression, anxiety, stress, low self esteem and others can become a result in having skin problems that interfere with your every day life. While we all know that it’s who is inside that counts, when you have severe skin problems you may feel self conscious and worry that others might not be able to appreciate you for you or see past those red splotches.

The good news is that you do not have to be stuck with the bad skin forever. Many people think it is a hopeless situation, until they begin speaking to their doctor and dermatologist. It is easy to be tempted to try the many different over the counter remedies instead of seeing a doctor, especially if you do not have health insurance. But because severe acne can be due to hormonal imbalances, overactive sebaceous glands, or other underlying causes, it is likely that professional help would not only be more cost effective in the long run, but also help you see results much more quickly.

Here are just a few of the possible treatments your physician may recommend:

Oral Contraceptives: Contraceptives, most commonly known as birth control pills, can either make acne worse or for those who have hormonal imbalances show miraculous results in their ability to regulate hormones that cause skin to be more prone to breakouts. You need a prescription and the doctor will likely order some tests to verify that hormones may be playing a role in your skin condition.

Steroids: If the glands in your body are causing the breakouts, steroid treatment may be effective for some, though overuse or abuse of steroids could make the problem worse. Prescription creams may be effective in reducing itching, burning, and redness.

Oral Antibiotics: Many cases of acne are caused by bacteria trapped underneath dead skin cells. Often times an antibacterial cream is simply not enough, but some patients can find great relief in taking prescriptions from their doctor that regulate the accumulation of bacteria and infection. Your doctor will be able to make recommendations on what types would be the best for you.

These are just a few examples of the different treatments available for severe acne. There are many other options available, which is best to be discussed between you and your doctor if you are concerned about your skin’s health.

Blackheads are caused by hair follicles that become clogged by sebum and dead skin cells. Sebum is the oily matter that is produced by your sebaceous glands in the skin. The hair follicles that cause blackheads are more open than other follicles, which allows for air to enter. While it appears that your face has spots of dirt, the discoloration is actually caused by a chemical reaction resulting in the oxidization of the substances trapped in the follicle which gives the spots their black or dark brown color.

Blackheads are typically not painful, but they can be at risk for becoming infected and developing into larger and more painful spots. They can often be treated through the proper cleansing and care for the skin. While they cannot go away on their own or overnight, using good skin care practices for preventing acne can be of great help in reducing the number you have.

Cleaning the skin should be done daily with a mild cleanser. Some use exfoliating cleansers, which are believed to help with cleaning into the pores and removing the build up of dead skin cells and sebum. Blackheads do not go away over night or by magic, and even once they have been controlled it is important to create a daily routine to help keep them from recurring.

Here are some different remedies available that may work for you:

Astringents: Astringents are any substance or chemical that causes the body tissue to constrict. One of the most common and easily obtained astringents is witch hazel, which is extracted from the bark and leaves of the witch hazel plant. There are also other astringents available, such as “Sea-Breeze” available in most retail stores, as well as many other naturally occurring substances.

Beta Hydroxy Acid: This is another compound you may find in many cleansers and creams and lotions available. They are naturally occurring or may be produced synthetically. The most common type of beta hydroxy acid used for treating blackheads and whiteheads is salicylic acid. Salicylic acid works by helping dead skin cells shed more easily which can help reduce the build up of them resulting in clogged pores.

Exfoliates: Many cleansers contain exfoliates which can help with reducing the build up of dead skin cells and sebum in hair follicles. These types of cleansers often have a “sandy” or “abrasive” feel to them as they shed away the dead skin cells. An exfoliating scrub should only be used 3-4 times per week at maximum to prevent excessive drying, peeling, or abrasion to the skin.

Pore Cleansing Strips: Pore cleansing strips became very popular in the nineties and have shown for some to be beneficial in help reducing blackhead breakouts. They work by applying the strip to the affected area for a certain amount of time as specified by the package instructions and then peeling away. When the strip is lifted, much of the build up inside of the pores also comes up with it.

Finding a solution and treatment for acne blackheads can be a process of trial and error for many. Using different combinations and practicing good cleansing habits can greatly reduce and help prevent the build up of blackheads and whiteheads on your skin. If experimenting with several products, it is usually best to try one at a time to make sure it is not causing an allergic reaction, as well as how effective one treatment may be compared to the others for you.

Have any experiences to share about acne blackheads? Leave your comments below.

An astringent may also be helpful in cleaning out clogged pores.

Remember that everyone is different and some treatments may or may not work for you. It can sometimes be a matter of trial and error to find the best solution.

Acne cysts can occur in just about anyone, regardless of age, sex, or skin type. You may find that only get one or two once in awhile, for others it can be a regular occurrence that causes great discomfort and even make one feel self conscious about his or her appearance.

Like most forms of acne, the lump is caused typically by a build up of bacteria underneath the skin, which causes the painful and sore spot. Some cysts can be relatively small – others may be very large.

Often you can attempt to treat a cyst at home without the need of medical attention. However, if you experience any other symptoms such as fever, sore throat, nausea, or generally do not feel well and it seems to have started the same time when the cyst first appeared, it is better to speak to a physician, as there may be an underlying infection that needs antibiotics or other medical treatment you cannot do at home. You should also speak to your physician if they occur on a regular basis or affect your day to day regular routine.

The first rule is that no matter how tempting it may seem, you should never, ever, pop it! If you pop it, squeeze it, or anything else to irritate it or break it open, you will likely spread the bacteria to other parts of your face, putting you at risk for further breakouts and additional cysts forming. Popping it may also make it more likely to scar, which means that even once it is cleared up, you may still have a blemish in that part of the affected skin.

Cleaning the affected area is very important, and you will also want to make sure your hands are clean as well, as this can lead to more bacteria being spread.

An antibiotic lotion or cream should be applied to the affected area 2-3 times a day, or as directed on the medication package. There are many over the counter creams available, and we recommend using a non greasy version. If you go to a doctor, they may prescribe something that is a little stronger than what is available at your drug store or pharmacy.

There are also many other things that may help, but it will depend mostly on your skin type and if you have any other sensitivities to lotions or creams. The most popular types of over the counter treatments for acne include retinol, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.

Retinol is a type of vitamin A which is believed to help with healing of breakouts. If you are nursing or pregnant, you should speak to your doctor before using it, as too much vitamin A can be bad for your or your baby.

Benzoyl peroxide is found in many over the counter lotions and creams as well as face washes. You should look for a solution that is no more than 2.5%, as anything in a higher concentration can cause sensitivity and extreme drying of the skin, which may cause pores to become clogged even worse.

Salicylic acid is a chemical compound that for some may cause adverse reactions, but is believed to be generally safe in small doses and when diluted in a solution such as a face wash or acne medication. It works at helping clean pores.

If using over the counter remedies for your acne cyst, be sure to watch for any signs of allergic reaction or symptoms becoming worse. Be sure to follow manufacturer’s directions carefully to ensure that you are using the product properly and safely. If the condition persists, worsens, or becomes a chronic condition that occurs frequently, speaking to your physician or a dermatologist is highly recommended to determine the best treatment as well as rule out any other underlying causes that may be affecting your skin.

To prevent further acne cyst breakouts, you may also want to check out our article on how to prevent acne.

Do you have any experiences to share about having an acne cyst or treatment suggestions? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.