A cyst is the manifestation of the most severe type of acne, can form due to many causes. but today we'll focus on treating cystic acne specifically.
From over-the-counter medicines and home remedies for cystic acne to the best skin care products (including Misumi's Complete Clear 3-Step System), we'll help you get your cystic acne under control.
And not just that - today we'll teach you how to get rid of a cyst too.
What Causes Cystic Acne?
A cystic acne breakout can be caused by many things, from hormonal fluctuations and stress to simple genetics. Often, people with acute cystic acne will be encouraged to avoid processed foods, certain products, and more that may affect the skin's surface.
A cystic acne spot (or cystic pimple) is painful enough, but when we add cysts into the mix... that's a whole other ball game.
Meet The Cyst, Skin’s Ugly Duckling
But what makes cystic acne appear? Well, sometimes the perpetrator is a bacterial inflammation, but sometimes cystic acne causes are deeper and systemic. Genetic factors and hormonal disbalance, which can cause so-called hormonal acne, can play a role too. A cyst is a sac-like pocket of membranous tissue formed anywhere in the body that's filled with any substance.
They're not the same as painful nodules.
Cysts from cystic acne that form on the skin, or more precisely under the skin, are called epidermoid cysts. These cysts can grow fairly large and painful, and the best way to deal with them is to visit your doctor and dermatologist.
If you suffer from severe acne or cystic acne, you should be seeing a doctor, anyway. They can recommend a range of acne treatments, including oral antibiotics, topical retinoids, and more to help improve the appearance of cystic acne. They can also let you know what to avoid, as many products, including certain essential oils, might worsen acne vulgaris.
Medical professionals can either remove acne cysts completely or drain them and do so in a safe and sterile environment.
How to Get Rid of Severe Acne Cysts
Other than running to the doctor, there are many other effective treatments you can try to deal with nasty acne cysts and help clear cystic acne. From trying to drain them yourself at home - safely, of course - to a slew of home remedies remedies that can alleviate it significantly, acne cysts don't stand a chance!
You can also try topical treatment options to help with cystic acne. From oral medication to over-the-counter creams containing salicylic acid, there are a wealth of acne treatments available. Benzoyl peroxide is another popular and effective treatment for cystic acne.
So, read on, and learn the best ways to get rid of cystic breakouts and acne cysts.
How to Drain Acne Cysts With a Needle at Home
Or, more specifically - how to drain a single, large acne cyst. Before you try this procedure, we highly recommended that you actually don't. Draining a cyst or popping acne pimples may make acne worse, push the infection deeper, or result in permanent scarring.
Instead, your best bet is to visit your doctor or dermatologist and ask them to drain the cyst professionally in a safe and sterile environment. This is especially true if you're dealing with a severe form of cystic acne with multiple cysts, painful bumps, and cystic pimples.
However, if you're pressed for time, and there's this huge cyst preventing you from going to that job interview, it's not all hopeless. You can drain the acne cysts at home, all by yourself, and do it safely and harmlessly. You just need several tools handy and a dogged will to follow the instructions.
To learn how to do that, head over to our article on how to drain a cyst with a needle.
Acne Cysts Love Hot Stuff
No, not that kind of hot, dorks! What we mean is that applying some warmth to a cyst can help it relax, put its feet on the table, and just unwind. And drain itself, basically. So how do we try this acne treatment?
You need a bowl of hot water and a clean piece of cloth. Dip the cloth in the hot water, squeeze the cloth, and apply. Then, hold the warm compress over the cyst. A rough rule of thumb is to keep the compress on your face for at least 20-30 minutes. That should allow for enough time for the transfer of heat, which will make your cyst chill.
Technically, this method helps the fluid trapped inside the cyst disperse more easily back into the body and the surrounding tissue. A word of caution, though: try not to burn yourself! Your aim is to heal your skin, not burn it.
Tea Tree Oil Strikes Again, This Time At Cysts
Tea tree has proven antimicrobial properties. That means it can kill acne-causing bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other tiny, invisible critters that want to nibble on us.
Tea Tree Oil for Cystic Acne
But how does tea tree oil help with cystic acne? Well, if the cyst is caused by a bacterial infection of a hair follicle, the oil will act as a disinfectant and an antibacterial agent to kill bacteria and reduce skin inflammation. And along with that - the size of the cyst.
It's a bit difficult for the oil to reach the inside the cyst, but with repeated use, some of it will get through and have an effect.
Just dilute some tea tree in clean water: ideally, 2-3 drops of the oil to 1 ounce of water. Then apply this tincture several times a day to calm inflammation and help shift that cyst. A word of caution - avoid putting undiluted tea tree on your skin since it can cause irritation, redness, contact dermatitis, and burning.
Tea tree doesn't just work as a severe cystic acne treatment. Whether you suffer from medium acne flares or mild inflammatory acne, this oil is here to save the day.
Didn’t Get Rid of a Cyst? Give Apple Cider Vinegar a Shot
Apple cider vinegar is a natural remedy, so its effectiveness isn't proven by science. But many people swear by it for cystic acne flare-ups, and it's fairly harmless. So where's the problem, right?
Like tea tree, apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties. Mix equal parts water and apple cider vinegar in a bowl to make your own apple cider vinegar cleanser. Then, apply the solution over the cysts a few times a day. You can combine this treatment with a hot compress by adding some apple cider vinegar to the hot water.
How To Get Rid of a Cyst? Ask Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is the skin care industry's sweetheart, and for a good reason. It has plenty of scientifically confirmed anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, so its status of fame is well-deserved.
And it's exactly those properties that make aloe vera one of the best remedies for cystic acne. If you're using a product based on aloe vera extracts, just follow the instructions and wait for the results.
But if you have some aloe vera plants handy, here's what to do. Take a leaf and cut it in half to expose the plant's gel. Then, you can apply it to your cyst. While it probably won't remove it, it can dramatically change its appearance for the better.
Castor Oil is an Ally When it Comes to Getting Rid of a Cyst
The castor plant (Ricinus communis) has a long history of medicinal uses. That's because it has beneficial effects on wounds, lesions, or skin conditions. And nowadays, even science has caught up, proving that castor oil has a number of antimicrobial effects.
Just like tea tree, aloe vera, or apple cider vinegar, castor oil can be applied topically. However, there's no need to dilute it. Just take a drop of castor oil on your finger and rub it gently over the cyst. You can do this several times a day. As castor oil helps with lesions, it should help with your acne scars too.
But remember: don't swallow or ingest castor oil in any way. It's toxic when it enters our bodies. Purchase a quality castor oil product and only apply it topically to the skin.
Witch Hazel Can Help You Get Rid of a Cyst Too
Products that contain witch hazel are fairly commonly used as topical washes for cystic acne. There is research being done on the effects of witch hazel, and so far, the news is that it has anti-inflammatory and astringent qualities.
Astringent means that it squeezes skin together. As opposed to substances that relax your skin and open up the pores, astringent substances close it tightly. Along with its anti-inflammatory properties, witch hazel can reduce the size and sensitivity of cysts and painful pimples.
Apply witch hazel on the spot by dabbing a cotton ball on the affected area. You can repeat it as often as you like. If your skin reacts negatively, just wash your face or dilute the witch hazel with water.
The Sweetness of Honey Tastes Sour for the Cysts
Cosmetic and clinical research on the effects of honey on cysts and cystic acne is pretty scarce. However, honey has been proven to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties in general. This is surely one of the reasons why it has been used medically since humans came down from the branches.
While dabbing some honey over your cyst will probably not make it disappear, it can ease the discomfort and make it less conspicuous. For better effects, you can add some herbs to the honey, and perhaps turmeric, or green tea leaves.
Apply it over the cyst and leave it overnight. Our bodies are much more effective at repairing themselves while we sleep, so if you have the opportunity to use a certain treatment overnight, you should take it. Raw, natural honey works best.
So, How Do I Get Rid of a Cyst Again?
Your safest bet is to visit a dermatologist or a doctor and get it drained or removed. If that's not an option, you can try draining it at home by yourself, but you need to be super careful. Other options include applying hot compresses, using tea tree, castor oil, apple cider vinegar, witch hazel, or even honey.
While those topical treatments may not help you get rid of the cyst, they will help you alleviate them.
Keeping a Good Skincare Routine for Cystic Acne
Acne is never nice, and while it's notoriously hard to prevent cystic acne (or get rid of it), a good skincare routine will help you manage it and encourage clearer skin. Just avoid oil-based products. And although your oil glands are producing excess oil right now, you'll still want to use a moisturizer to keep your skin soft and hydrated. Opt for an oil-free moisturizer.
Misumi's Complete Clear 3-Step System has everything you need to heal your skin and prevent future cystic acne breakouts. It treats acne, can reduce redness, unclogs pores, removes dead skin cells, and controls oily skin using ingredients specially designed to improve skin health. In fact, their Clear Skin Salicylic Cleanser contains salicylic acid, a well-known ingredient used in products to treat cystic acne.
Try Misumi's skincare system now.
Wrapping Up
There are many different things you can do to treat cystic acne and remove acne cysts. From remedies for cystic acne breakouts to topical antibiotics, you have options.
This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances, and its goal is to offer a general view of the subject. In case you are suffering from a severe case of acne, you should consult with a dermatologist or a certified medical professional.
