how it is living with cystic acne ๐
living with cystic acne isnโt fun, iโll tell you that for free ๐คฅ iโm constantly dealing with cycles of flare ups that could bleed (if accidentally popped open) and peopleโs unsolicited advice. sometimes, thereโs miserable people that hide behind the screen just to make mean comments on my tiktok videos as well, so thatโs another thing to deal with.
my acne usually flares up on my cheeks and jawline, and when it does, it can be painful, red, and sensitive. you can see in the second photo i have a bandaid on my jawโ one of the bigger pimples popped while washing my face and i had to patch it up before it got infected. itโs not like i could apply pressure to stop the bleeding, it literally split open.
my skin is also super textured and bumpy, kind of making it unsatisfying when applying my skincare ๐ตโ๐ซ i also have hyperpigmentation and scarring, which can be difficult to cover up with makeup because a little bit always peeks through the layers of color correcting concealer and foundation.
because iโve had cystic acne for so long, i took it as a chance to help myself learn about skincare and grow in self-confidence as well as help others be more comfortable with their acne โจ it took a lot of mental challenges to get to where i am today; i used to hate how i looked and would hide my face in fear of people looking at me in disgust or curiosity. i did not like being perceived because i didnโt know how to handle the attention at the time.
now, i donโt really care if people see me and stare at my cheeks. i have acneโฆ so what? thanks for the attention i guess ๐คญ same goes for the haters in my tiktok videosโ thanks for commenting and giving me engagement. and thanks for getting heated when i reply back with the same energy that you have to come back and say the last word for your fragile ego ๐ซถ๐ผ every comment is a boost to my content, which is a win for me anyways.
living with cystic acne isnโt easy. it requires a lot of patience and self love, which iโve come a long way in achieving and practicing. thankfully, i found my purpose to help others be more comfortable with their skin. iโve grown a community surrounding acne and i love the support we share together regarding our struggles with acne or skin concerns in general.
at this point, whatever people say to me in a negative light means nothing to me. iโm not even focused on them anyways, they can stay mad at me for being confident and showing my skin to the public. all that matters is that i love myself and how i look, even through the bad skin days, because i know that it doesnโt change who i am as a person and my level self worth ๐ฉท
#lemon8partner #lemon8diary #cysticacne #acneproneskin #acnescars #myexperience #acnejourney #diaryentry #oilyskin #texturedskin
Living with cystic acne, especially when it flares up on your cheeks and jawline, is a daily battle, both physically and emotionally. I know firsthand the pain of those deep, inflamed nodules that feel like they're throbbing under your skin. Sometimes, a particularly painful one on my jawline or cheek will just... burst. It's not a gentle pop like a whitehead; it's more like a split or rupture, often bleeding and leaving a raw, open wound. Itโs a moment of immense discomfort and often, embarrassment. When a cystic pimple pops, the first thing I do is gently cleanse the area with a mild, non-drying cleanser. Then, I apply a thin layer of an antiseptic cream or a hydrocolloid patch to protect it from bacteria and aid healing. The goal is to keep it clean and prevent further infection, especially since these deep breakouts make my skin so vulnerable. Iโve learned the hard way that picking or squeezing only makes things worse, pushing bacteria deeper and increasing the risk of scarring. It's a test of patience, waiting for it to heal while trying to go about my day. The pain isn't just from a popped cyst. Just having severe cystic acne on my cheeks and jawline means constant tenderness. Eating, talking, even resting my face on a pillow can be excruciating. Iโve found that applying a cool, damp cloth can sometimes offer temporary relief from the inflammation. And finding skincare products that soothe rather than irritate has been a game-changer. Iโve embraced a minimalist routine focused on hydration and barrier repair, steering clear of harsh exfoliants that promise quick fixes but only exacerbate the problem. Beyond the physical pain, there's the mental and emotional toll. The OCR images remind me of those days when I used to hide my face, feeling self-conscious about every bump and scar. The journey to self-acceptance, especially with acne visible on my forehead, cheeks, and jawline, has been deeply challenging. It meant confronting unsolicited advice, dealing with cruel comments online, and unlearning years of believing my worth was tied to my skin's appearance. But honestly, embracing my skin, textured and scarred as it sometimes is, has been incredibly empowering. It's about realizing that my skin doesn't define me, and my resilience in facing these challenges is far more significant than any breakout.
I did 9 months of accutane and have spent 100โs of dollars on skin care just for my cystic acne to come back. Itโs incredibly frustrating, so Iโm in the same boat. But you are beautiful anyway! I am so glad you know your worth :)