Under-the-skin pimples: The Skincare Routine to Eliminate Them

WHAT ARE UNDER-THE-SKIN PIMPLES

The under-the-skin pimples, or cystic acne, are a very common and hard-to-treat skin imperfection. They are deep bumps that form under the skin all over the face, especially on the forehead, cheeks, and under the chin. They can be small or huge, red and inflamed, or almost invisible.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the causes and the various treatments you can use to get rid of under-the-skin pimples, safely and effectively.

CAUSES OF UNDER-THE-SKIN PIMPLES

Under-the-skin pimples develop when sebum, bacteria, cell debris, and dirt become trapped deep down inside a hair follicle (pore).

The end result is a cyst under the skin that does not have a ‘‘white head’’ like other pimples may have, usually located in areas of the skin with more sebaceous glands, such as the face, neck, shoulders, back, and chest.

There are many causes behind this inflammation:

1. People with oily skin may be more prone to under-the-skin pimples than those with dry or normal skin.
2. The hormonal changes can sometimes cause an overproduction of sebum in the skin. This is very likely to happen at specific times in your life, such as puberty, pregnancy, or periods of intense stress.
3. Taking certain medications can contribute to the formation of blind pimples. These include oral corticosteroids and some contraceptives.
4. Cosmetics or irritating skin products or products that are not suited to your skin type.
5. Insufficient or incorrect facial cleansing.

One key tip is not to squeeze or pierce under-the-skin pimples with a needle. Why? The contents of the cyst will most likely break under the skin, spreading the infection and probably making it even more inflamed. Squeezing pimples can also lead to long-term scarring.

UNDER-THE-SKIN PIMPLES OR CYSTS?

Under-the-skin pimples are also known as ‘‘cystic acne’’.

Cysts are markedly painful manifestations, swollen and filled with pus that form under the skin. They carry an increased risk of scarring because of their depth.

The reason for this is that the pressure of such deep inflammation causes the entire follicle to collapse, trapping the base of the hair follicle under the skin and causing infection.

The main difference between cystic acne and a regular pimple is that cystic acne forms well below the skin’s surface and produces what is called a cyst, which is the hallmark of this type of acne (cystic pimple).

UNDER-THE-SKIN PIMPLES: REMEDIES TO ELIMINATE THEM AND PREVENT THEM FROM FORMING

Under-the-skin pimples can be hard to get rid of, but they can be treated with patience and the right specific treatment. Always make sure your hands are clean before using any at-home treatment.

Below is the recommended skincare routine:

Morning

1. CLEANSING: with a gentle foaming cleanser. It is essential for keeping the skin clean.
2. BOOST: with Niacinamide serum, with sebum-regulating and anti-inflammatory action.
3. HYDRATION: with a lightweight face cream containing active ingredients with purifying action, as well as hydrating ones (e.g. Hyaluronic Acid), to normalize sebum secretion and help prevent comedones from forming
4. SUN PROTECTION: it is best to protect yourself from UV rays with specific products, especially lightweight, non-greasy, and non-occlusive ones.

DOCTOR'S TIP: if applying face cream + sunscreen feels too heavy, apply only sunscreen in the morning and face cream in the evening.

Evening

1. MAKEUP REMOVER: if you are wearing makeup, it is best to remove it first. You can choose between a micellar water for light makeup and a cleansing oil for more full-coverage makeup.
2. CLEANSING: with a gentle foaming cleanser.
3. EXFOLIATION: with a chemical exfoliant such as Salicylic Acid, useful for removing impurities that clog pores, helping prevent and reduce comedone formation. Use only in the evening.
4. BOOST: for a complete treatment, choose the Retinol Booster as it reduces sebum production and normalizes keratinization. Use only in the evening. If you want to use just one booster, apply the Niacinamide-based one both morning and evening.
5. HYDRATION: again with purifying face cream.

Extra treatment

1. Purifying Face Mask 2 times a week to absorb excess sebum and keep pores clean at all times
2. Anti-Imperfection Gel: SOS treatment to apply to the pimple being treated to reduce swelling right away

HOW TO REMOVE PIMPLE MARKS AND PREVENT THEM FROM FORMING

While treating under-the-skin pimples, you need to make sure you do your best to reduce the risk of skin marks and use specific products to remove them completely.

This is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: an acquired hypermelanosis that occurs after an inflammation or skin injury and can appear in all skin types.

An example of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is pimple marks.

The cosmetic ingredients for removing pimple marks are:

- niacinamide at a high percentage (4-5%);

- salicylic acid;

- retinol;

- azelaic acid (or azeloglycine).

STRESS PIMPLES: MYTH OR REALITY?

Can stress cause pimples? The answer is yes.

Take, for example, stress acne: when we are tense, the body releases stress hormones, including cortisol, which can increase sebum production, raising the likelihood of developing comedones and under-the-skin pimples.

NO MORE UNDER-THE-SKIN PIMPLES WITH SKIN FIRST PRODUCTS

Now that we’ve covered the best routine for getting rid of under-the-skin pimples, all that’s left is to use the correct and specific dermocosmetic treatment.

If cosmetic treatment alone is not enough to eliminate impurities, book a dermatological appointment so you can start a more specific and targeted treatment plan. And don’t forget to keep reading us to stay up to date with the Doctor’s tips!