How To Shrink A Cystic Pimple Overnight

It’s easy to feel singled out by the universe when a pimple suddenly appears on your face—especially a particularly noticeable one. But you’re far from alone in the experience. Acne is a common affliction for people from all walks of life, from teenagers with hormones gone haywire to adults with excess amounts of sebum [1]. 

The truth is, if you’re between the ages of 11 and 30, there’s about an 80% chance that you will develop or have already developed acne in one form or another [2]. 

But for an even smaller segment of the population, a specific type of severe acne, known as cystic acne, can increase the severity of regular breakouts with larger and often painful pustules. It can even lead to pock marks on the face which are deep craters in our precious skin. And when that happens, it’s natural to yearn for remedies that can help prevent them sooner.

Are you wondering how to shrink a cystic pimple overnight? Keep reading to learn what you can do to curtail cystic acne and keep your skin clean, clear, and blemish-free.

Step 1: Understand the Causes of Cystic Pimples

In order to effectively treat any form of severe acne, it’s vital to understand the cause.

A cystic pimple is a type of pimple or pustule that grows beneath the skin [3]. Pus-filled and tender to the touch, cystic pimples can cause the affected skin to redden and ooze a whitish-yellow discharge that crusts over. They’re caused when pores become clogged by the notorious triple threat of:

• Dead skin cells
• Excess body oils
• Bacteria 

Cystic pimples can vary in size. Some cystic pimples are no larger than a pea, while others can rival the diameter of a dime. And because they appear as reddish areas of raised skin, cystic pimples can be easy to confuse with other skin conditions, like boils or carbuncles. 

The underlying causes of cystic pimples include [4]:

• Genetics – Cystic acne that results in cystic pimples is often passed down along genealogical lines. 
• Hormonal imbalances – Fluctuations in your hormone levels are another frequent cause of cystic acne. These changes may be the result of age-related conditions like puberty or menopause, or situational factors like increased stress levels.
• Biological changes in the body – Like other types of acne, bodily changes such as pregnancy can often cause cystic pimples to develop.  

If you have cystic acne, you may develop a single cystic pimple or experience an acne breakout of multiple pustules on your face, back, chest, or other areas of your body [5]. But whether you have one or many, knowing how to treat your blind pimple overnight can help you reduce redness and pain.

Step 2: Avoid Popping Or Touching The Pimple

When cystic acne appears, it may be tempting to conclude that the fastest way to get rid of it is to relieve the underlying pressure by squeezing or popping the pimple. However, touching, squeezing, or popping the pimple may not only be less effective than you wish—but can also make the condition worse.

Why is that? Whereas some other types of acne cause surface-level pimples that may itch, swell, or come to a head, cystic pimples develop in the dermis, the skin’s middle layer [6]. 

When bacteria are introduced to pores or hair follicles that are already blocked up with oil and skin cells, the dermis becomes infected, causing acne cysts—the swollen, red masses that we identify as pimples. But because cystic pimples are more than just skin deep, you can’t pop them like regular pimples [7]. At least, not without causing significant damage to your sensitive skin.

Although it can be difficult to resist the urge to touch or squeeze the blemish, there are other methods for managing cystic acne that are more effective. These other treatments are also less likely to result in complications that can have long-term effects on your skin, including: 

• Scarring – By not aggravating a cystic pimple by attempting to pop it, you can reduce your risk of incurring acne scarring that can last much longer than the pimple itself. Acne scarring can take several forms, including atrophic scars like pockmarks or hypertrophic or keloid scars [8]. 
• Discoloration – In some cases, aggravated cystic pimples can leave the skin discolored at the site of the pimple. The skin may darken so that it appears brown or black, or take on shades of red, pink, or purple. Fortunately, this sort of discoloration is rarely permanent [9].
• Cellulitis – If you can avoid trying to pop a cystic pimple, you may also avoid developing a bacterial infection known as cellulitis. Cellulitis can increase the redness and swelling of cystic acne and, if not properly managed, can cause related blood, bone, and joint infections, although such complications are rare [10]. 

Step 3: Treat the Causes and Symptoms

If popping cystic pimples is out of the question, you may be at a loss when it comes to knowing how to get rid of underneath the skin pimples overnight. But there’s no need to worry. While not all treatments will be as instantaneous, taking charge of cystic acne is still well within your grasp.

When it comes to treating cystic pimples, you need products that treat the root causes of cystic acne. That means seeking out solutions for the following instigators: 

• Inflammation – Irregular inflammatory responses are behind many types of acne, including cystic acne. Routinely, dermatologists recommend products that contain retinoids, which have proven effective in reducing inflammation. Topical treatments that include retinoids, such as a night cream, may be particularly effective [11].
• Bacteria – The infections in pores and hair follicles that result in cystic pimples are caused by bacteria, so it’s important to use skincare products with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. For example, a facial cleanser that contains antimicrobial peptides may help reduce breakouts and shrink cystic pimples [12].
• Dead skin cells – You may be able to shrink and treat cystic pimples with the aid of a product that helps to banish the dead skin cells that, along with oils and bacteria, clog pores. To do so, look for a facial cleanser that contains alpha-hydroxy acids and glycolic acids. These are powerful exfoliants that can help clear dead skin cells from your pores, which may help mitigate cystic acne [13]. 
• Oily skin – In addition to dead skin cells and infection-causing bacteria, excess oils that collect in your pores are a major contributing factor to cystic pimples. Some oils are naturally produced by the body, while others come from exterior factors like food and makeup. Fortunately, fighting back against excess oils may be as easy as switching to an oil-free, daily moisturizer with SPF, especially one that contains oil-reducing ingredients like green tea extract [14].

Tips for Cystic Acne Treatment

One key reminder for those looking to treat their cystic acne? Be patient to your skin—and kind to yourself. Even if you manage to shrink a cystic pimple overnight, it can take weeks or even months to fully clear an outbreak. If you experience ongoing breakouts, it may also be worth consulting with a dermatologist who can recommend a range of medications and other treatments that can help prevent cystic acne breakouts before they occur and reduce the effects when they do. 

For those with milder cases, it may still be tempting to throw every product that claims to treat cystic acne into your skincare routine. But to avoid exacerbating the issue, aim to slowly introduce new products one at a time, so you can ensure they’re helping—not hurting. 

Of course, knowing how to treat cystic acne with the help of over-the-counter cleansers, creams, moisturizers, and other products isn’t the same as knowing which products are up to the task. The good news? PROVEN Skincare is taking the guesswork out of finding products that perform exactly as you need them to. We use advanced technologies that combine the power of AI with human intelligence to create skincare solutions that work for you because they’re designed for you.

Step 4: Take Steps to Prevent Future Cystic Pimples & Outbreaks

You may not be able to avoid some of the causes of cystic acne, like your age or the genes you inherit. But there are a number of ways you can take control of your skin and reduce the likelihood of future outbreaks. Experts recommend steps such as [15]:

• Avoiding the consumption of dairy products and foods that are high in simple sugars.
• Avoiding touching your face. 
• Resisting the urge to pop pimples or pick at acne scabs.
• Keeping your hair clean and off of your face.
• Removing any cosmetics and cleanse your face of any accumulated dirt or oils from the day before you go to bed.

Aside from helping you to treat any current cystic acne, treating your skin with consistent care can help you to achieve a clearer complexion in the future.

Personalize Your Skin Care With PROVEN

At PROVEN, we’re changing the way you care for your skin by delivering skincare products customized to your unique needs. Our skincare scientists use their own expertise, AI algorithms, and your personal information to whip up products that are tailored to your needs and your sensitive skin. That means you can say goodbye to products that aim for mass appeal and hello to products designed just for you.

Because at the end of the day, your skin health is personal. Isn’t it time your skin care products were, too?