I'm off to Pico De Loro tomorrow for a quick break from the city and to try mountain hiking for the first time. I'm excited! I need to be with nature to take off stress!
Speaking of which, our topic today is related to stress: Pimples! Question is from MJ:
Hello, I have read a review on The Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil; you mentioned that it didn't work on all your zits, however, you also mentioned it flattened the zits. I have a cystic pimple; do you think this product is advisable for this pimple?
MJ
Hi MJ!
Ah, Cystic pimples. They're such a pain in the arse! To start, Cystic Pimple is a papule, a type of acne that occurs underneath the skin; when left untreated, it can burst inside and infect the other, healthy pores leading to more infection so it's best to treat it right away (Know more about the different types of pimples HERE).
According to some dermatologists I've talked with, Cystic Acne can only be treated either through medications, acne injection, or rupturing the affected area (which isn't advisable). As for The Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil, I believe it will only work if applied right on Cystic Acne once it has been opened.
I think the healing of Cystic Acne really depends on the individual's skin type and condition as well as responsiveness to treatments, both oral, topical, non-invasive, and invasive because based on experience, I've had success in treating this type of acne through topical solutions and some, through the intervention of a dermatologist. With this, I present two ways in treating Cystic Acne.
1. The Quick Way
- The easy and fast way to treat Cystic pimple is to go and seek your dermatologist, and have the it checked; most clinics will give Acne injection to the zit to prevent further infection and so that it may heal in a few days. Depending on the diagnosis, your dermatologist might prescribe acne medications to you.
2. The Slow Way
- If you don't like the idea of a needle boring through your face, you can go back to the good ol' meticulous skin care regimen. Exfoliate much more regularly to shave off dead cells, encourage cell turnover, and so that topical skin care products can penetrate your skin and target acne better. Times like this, AHA and BHA will be your best friend as well as Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide.
For Cystic Acne, I use Mario Badescu's Buffering Lotion, which is designed for it; What it does is it encourages micro peeling and spot treatment at the same time; it works fantastic on me and I keep on repurchasing this thing!
Choose whichever way you like, but if you're going to ask me, the most effective would probably be Way 1, The Quick Way because it laser zaps the problem whereas The Slow Way has the risk of not working, depending on your skin's reaction.
Go fight that cystic zit! :D Happy Halloween!
**Got a burning question on makeup, beauty, skin care products, exercising, relationships, career, love, or whatever? Just email me at martha.stabarbara@yahoo.com, message me via POWR form, or shoot me a message via THE BEAUTY JUNKEE'S official Facebook fan page.
19 Comments
I agree Ms.Martha to check up on your dermatologists because we have different skin types and conditions. But from the sound of this cystic pimple, I am horrified lol! I don't think I haven't had one and I don't wish to have one. Anyways good luck on vanishing your cystic pimple/s MJ, I hope they will be gone fast and to never come back again. Ms.Martha have a safe travel!
ReplyDeleteOh, lucky you! Cystic Pimples are sooo painful to have! Thank you! :D
DeleteThe Slow Way really takes time but for someone in a tight budget like ehemmm me, this is the only way. I'm just so glad that my zits are not so problematic. But of course if you can pay for a facial treatment then by all means go! Just be sure to go to a reputable Dermatologist.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your Pico de Loro adventure Ms. Martha!
Thanks! I really enjoyed it!
DeleteWell, it doesn't seem like it at first, but The Quick Way will come out cheaper than The Slow Way because its success rate is 90% higher, thus you don't have to maintain a lot of products, unlike the latter way.
Thank you Ms. Martha for this info! I want to try the Mario Badescu's Buffering Lotion. Is it affordable? Hehe im on a tight budget po kasi. Btw, enjoy your hiking! I went to pico de loro also last year. Make sure to use sunblock. Super hot ng weather. :)
ReplyDeleteBuffering Lotion is around 900php, I believe. :) Yes, I used my trusty Shiseido SUnblock/Foundation during the trip! It's got spf 45 pa+++ :)
DeleteI have the same problem but I couldn't find a good derma (most I've encounter hard sell their in-house product which, I don't think I need i.e. whitening product. ) Anyways, take care on your adventure!
ReplyDeleteOh my ! Mine is not cystic pimple. How about small zits like butlig-butlig magkakadikit? I dont know parang may skin break out ako right now....I dont have time to go to derma yet because of my profession. I am planning to buy Tea Tree Oil Toner for my skin problem. But its not available in our local drugstore. How about that Mario Badescu's Buffering Lotion? Is it available in Mercury Drugstore? Thanks for the helpful post Ms Martha, God bless!
ReplyDeleteHi Ivy, based on your description, they seem like hives to me. Better have them checked as hives could either be caused by bacteria or an allergen. Mario Badescu is available in Rustans department stores. :)
DeleteWay No.1 seems more effective and fast remedy to remove cystic pimples but how much will it cost me?
ReplyDeleteThat depends on the rate of the clinic. Acne injection starts at 900php, I believe.
Deletei hate having cystic pimples tapos dun pa sa mga visible na area sa face. haha. but somehow i use number 2 solution for my pimple to heal, put some cream and let the cream fight the pimple. ;)
ReplyDeleteAwesome. Me too, I rely on solution 2 most of the time too. I hate it when a needle bores through my skin. :p
DeleteLearned another important thing in this post! :) I can say I'm lucky that I don't get cystic pimples that often. So I just wait for it to heal. I tried Mario badescu in Rustan's and I don't really like the smell. :( I'm sensitive to that so I decided not to buy one. Plus it's kinda pricey. :/ Anyway, seeking a dermatologist is really the best way. But do seek accredited dermatologists. :)
ReplyDeleteYes! Not just "kanto" dermatologists haha!
DeleteCystic acne gives me a headache sometimes. Hihi. True, it's a best way to go to derma because most of the time its very hard to find products that really are effective. Anyway, when I have cystic acne I have this cream that is effective on my skin, I order it from online. Its organic.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the late comment, been sick these past few days:(
No worries! I hope you're feeling much better now. :)
DeleteWow! Sounds like a miracle cream. Mind sharing the name of the product with us? :)
The Buffering Lotion appears to be more effective in healing cystic zits before they show up. It can heal them overnight. :) Still useful when applied only after the zit erupts, but will take days for the pimple to heal.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how much the Buffering Lotion costs these days, but it lasts forever. I just had to chuck out mine after 3 years because I didn't stash it properly. XD For a cheaper alternative, there's Etude AC Clinic Intense Pink Powder Spot and Water.
Though one caveat from using any of the two products is that there's no guarantee that your skin won't scar after it heals.
Buffering Lotion only lasts for 2 months on me during breakout season! :p I must be using too much.
DeleteI have that Pink Powder Spot thing, but sadly, it is not effective on me. :p
Let me know what you think of this post! :)