Go Acne, Go Away

I once had horrible pimples on my face. When I was a teenager, I would look into a mirror and feel like my world was collapsing. I had gotten pimples before, ones that went away easily, and I assumed that these massive pimples near my face's perimeter and on the side of my nose would go away too. Because of this belief I did nothing. I waited until the blessed day would arrive, and I would wake up pimple free. That day never came, the pimples just got worse. It turns out that there are different types of pimples and mine weren't the "regular" type. They were cystic pimples. these pimples are harder to manage and get rid of, but it gets more complicated than that. Apart from looking horrible and being really annoying, they also really hurt. There was also some bleeding. Sometimes there was a funny smell.

Cystic pimples can grow as large as 5mm or more! I found out that bit of information first hand. I also experienced the type of cystic pimples that can grow really deep under the skin. Now that was really bad. Now, cysts are pockets of accumulated fluid. In a way, all pimples are like that but cystic pimples are special. They’re caused by infection. This usually happens when a pimple is pinched or squeezed which causes the pus to burst deep into the skin. When that happens, the body sends white blood cells to fight the bacteria that thrive in the pus, like Staphylococcus aureus. The pus swells which causes deep rooted inflammation. That inflammation causes pain. Therefore, it’s actually our immune systems fault that we have cystic acne! Joking aside, cystic pimples can become a terrible enemy. It can leave you with permanent scars. I know it left some scars on me. Thankfully, they’re not too noticeable now.

I fought my cystic pimples. I learned everything about them, especially what causes cystic pimples. I learned that there are many possible causes, including genetics. Heredity plays a big role. Thanks a lot mom and dad!

But sarcasm aside, hormones also play a big role in causing cystic pimples, as well as other kinds of pimples and acne. Adolescence is one especially tough time, and I prayed that I would grow out of it sooner.

Cystic pimples are also caused by stress. It can be emotional or physical stress.

Cleansers that are too harsh and washing too much also contribute in aggravating acne and pimples, instead of reducing them.

Greasy and oily skin care products can clog the skin’s pores. Diet is also another possible cause.

Starchy, fatty and sugary foods and drinks can cause a lot of harm through cystic pimples. Combine a diet like that with not enough water and, like me, you’re asking for trouble.

Add the fact mentioned earlier that pinching and squeezing pimples can make it worse, and we’’ll have rounded up all the possible reasons for cystic pimples.

Knowing all that, I did my best to reduce the possible causes. Even though that was almost impossible for a teenager. Whoever had a stress-free high school? Or known cafeteria food that wasn’t greasy? It was not easy and it took growing up to end it all. But the horrible cystic pimples that I had from the start was gone. My face became brighter and cleaner. And even though some regular pimples still appeared, my dates never minded.