- “If topical treatment alone does not improve acne, or if acne is severe or extensive, oral medications are the best option. If you’ve tried several topical medications without success, or if your condition is severe, oral acne medications are usually the next step in the treatment process. Treatment usually includes oral antibiotics and applying a prescription gel or topical cream to the skin. Depending on people with acne, treatment may include using prescription creams to prevent acne, taking antibiotics to kill bacteria that contribute to acne, or, if acne is severe, taking stronger medications such as like isotretinoin, or even minor surgery. Even if you have tried topical acne treatments such as creams or gels without any lasting results, laser therapy may be the right solution for you. While I would like you to try natural remedies first, if you are not seeing improvement and severe hormonal acne is making your quality of life worse, other treatments can make a real difference. While it may take a while, treating hormonal acne from the inside out until your hormones are in their natural, happy balance will allow your skin to truly heal.
While my approach isn’t an instant solution, and won’t replace everyone’s multi-drug regimen, hormonal acne can be very sensitive to a more holistic approach, which means less medication and more patches. While the studio treatments offered by Carolina Skin Care can be very effective in treating acne, patients should also commit to taking care of their skin at home. Multiple topical treatments, whether it’s steroids for eczema or topical antibiotics for acne, topical treatments may help in the short term, but in the long run, it can damage the skin, making you more likely to take it in the future. In addition to other treatments, you can take the most obvious step to soothe stress-related acne: reduce stress. If the creams and antibiotics you have been prescribed are not working, or if you cannot tolerate the side effects that medications may cause, you may want to consider acne treatments, which can be provided at your doctor’s office. Other treatments include birth control pills to control acne, hormonal drainage and extraction, and laser and phototherapy.”
✅ Why Big Pimples Happen
Big pimples (cystic acne) form when:
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Oil and dead skin clog a pore
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Bacteria grow inside
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The pore swells deep under the skin
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Inflammation becomes large and painful
Common causes include:
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Hormones
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Oily skin
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Stress
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Not washing face properly
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Using heavy/greasy products
✅ Safe Ways to Treat Big Pimples
1. Warm Compress
Place a warm (not hot) towel on the pimple 10–15 minutes, 2–3× daily.
Helps reduce pain and open the pore gently.
2. Benzoyl Peroxide (2.5%–5%)
Kills acne bacteria and reduces inflammation.
3. Salicylic Acid (0.5%–2%)
Unclogs pores and reduces swelling.
4. Ice Pack (for large swollen pimples)
Wrap ice in cloth → apply 1–2 minutes to reduce swelling.
5. Don’t pop it
Popping can cause:
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Infection
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Dark marks
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Permanent scars
6. If it’s very big and painful
A dermatologist can give:
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Cortisone injection (shrinks cyst in 24 hours)
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Prescription creams (retinoids, antibiotics)
⭐ COMPLETE TREATMENT FOR BIG PIMPLES (CYSTIC ACNE)
Safe, effective, and dermatologist-recommended steps.
🔹 1. Immediate Treatment (What to Do Today)
A. Ice (for swelling + pain)
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Wrap ice in a clean cloth
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Apply 1–2 minutes
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Repeat 3–4 times/day
➡️ Reduces size and pain quickly
B. Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%
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Apply a thin layer once daily
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Works by killing acne bacteria
➡️ Best for red, swollen, painful big pimples
C. Don’t squeeze or pop
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Popping a cyst can push bacteria deeper
➡️ Leads to scars and dark marks
🔹 2. Daily Treatment (Clears Faster)
A. Salicylic Acid 0.5–2% cleanser
Use morning and night
➡️ Helps unclog pores and reduce inflammation
B. Apply Warm Compress
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Use a warm (not hot) towel
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10–15 minutes
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2× per day
➡️ Gently softens the pimple and helps it drain naturally
C. Spot treatment at night
Use either:
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Benzoyl Peroxide
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Sulfur cream
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Tea tree oil (diluted)
➡️ Shrinks the pimple faster
🔹 3. Long-Term Treatment (Prevents Big Pimples)
A. Retinoid (Adapalene 0.1%)
Use at night, 3× per week
➡️ Prevents clogged pores
➡️ Reduces cystic acne over time
B. Non-comedogenic products
Look for labels:
✔ “Oil-free”
✔ “Won’t clog pores”
C. Wash face 2× per day
Not more — too much washing increases oil production.
🔹 4. When to See a Dermatologist
Go to a doctor if you have:
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Constant big painful pimples
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Pimples leaving scars
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Deep cysts every month
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Very large swollen cysts
Doctors may give:
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Cortisone injection → shrinks big pimples in 24 hours
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Prescription retinoids
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Oral antibiotics
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Hormonal treatment (for women)
🔹 5. Simple Home Remedies (Optional)
These help mild cases:
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Honey + warm compress
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Green tea compress
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Aloe vera gel
(They soothe, but medical treatments work faster.)
If you want, I can also create:
✅ A daily routine just for your skin
✅ A product list (cheap or high-quality options)
✅ A treatment plan for blackheads or cystic acne
