sudden severe cheek acne

[eatenpi]

Hi, I'm 25 years old and up until about three weeks ago had very little to no breakouts. When I did have them it was never more than two or three at the most, large pimples on my cheek area, at a time. People were always telling me what "beautifull skin" I had.

About a month ago I noticed a handful of smaller pimples begin to breakout on my cheeks, which turned into large, painfull spots, which are most painful at the onset. I now am breaking out all over my cheeks, but nowhere else on my face or body, with many large pimples that just won't stop.

I've tried many things to help it. My diet is and has always been very good. I am a vegetarian who eats properly to get the right protein and nutrients, drink plenty of water and stay away from junk foods, preservatives and refined sugars. I'm slim, in good shape and have a consistant skin care routine. Nothing has changed really. I haven't been using any new products or been wearing any makeup. I've been changing my pillow cases often, and hardly wear any product in my hair. I've been celebate for the last six months, so nothing has changed hormonally. I've tried applying tea tree oil, salicylic acid, and benezol peroxide. I've also tried only washing my face at night and skipping toner. Nothing is working. The pimples will reduce in size when I treat them, but only for about half a day before swelling right back up.

I know it's probably not as "severe" as many others have it, but this has been a very difficult change for me. I've never had this, and really don't know what to do. I don't want to leave my house because I feel like everyone is looking at it, and my freinds innocently comment about it when I see them anew. I know it's only in concern and curiosity, but it still really bothers me. Then I get stressed and can feel them growing even more. I already have difficulty with depression and anxiety, so this is definately not helping. Please, can someone help me or give some advice?

[ChristinAnn]

I am a 29 year old Mother of 2 and in the past 6 months I have never had to deal with pimples on my cheeks and chin and spreading to my neck as of now!! I notice they are leaving scars behind and its really starting to make me sad and feel depressed..I don't want to have to live everyday with Acne and Scars..I don't know what to use..there's so many different things that people say o try this or get this it worked for me..But how do I know it will work for me?? Not everyones skin is the same or can Tolerate the same Products..My insticts tell me just go see a Good Dermatologist and explain it al to them..Its quite Frusterating..Especially when I use to have Such Pretty skin..And now I feel like I can never get that back.. =(

[BlueKnightGuy]

I had severe acne on my cheeks after shaving the hairs too close. This resulted in two large, extremely painful spots forming, one on each cheek.

I was given enthromycin by my GP, but I was severely allergic to it. I couldn't burst the pus sacs until a month later, by which time my face was literally swollen with pus. I burst the spots at the top of my face, slowly running my finger up my face, pushing the pus out of what I can presume was a giant spot. There was so much pus!

I then bought Benzyl Peroxide cream, applied daily and went on an experimental drug called Rocctuane (sp) from the dermatologist. No serious outbreaks since!

[maha262]

please stop drinking milk ! .. my acne get much MUCH better after i stopped, but as one of my posts mentioned above, it take time before your system clears after it get red of it. milk has Hormons (to make cows produce more milk). so stop adding more hormons than your body produces,thats why acne lessens after start taking birth control pills.

[lulu86]

Hi Everyone,

I too have been suffering from acne on my cheeks for a few years.  It is only on my cheeks..nowhere else on my body. No products have taken it away completely; however, I have noticed that when I eat foods that contain gluten the acne gets much more irritated, red, swollen, and horrible looking. For the past four years I have tried to eat gluten free but not necessarily as strictly as I should be. The last few months I have been trying to be extremely cautious as to not eat any gluten and I feel like it is starting to clear up. Gluten remains in the body's system for a long time (weeks to months) after it is eaten so results probably will not happen over night. BUT my belly, headaches, and body feel so much better when I don't eat gluten that the sacrifices are worth it! Thoughts??

[fay24]

i'm having the same problem. i've never had acne problems, even when i was really stressed i would have maybe 3-4 pimples at most. never like this at all. my cheeks are all red and spotted. it's a horrible feeling! it looks like it's drying up sometimes, but no matter how dry my cheeks get, i still see no improvement. i'm 22. i don't think i've done anything different. and it's ONLY on my cheeks. i'm trying not to worry about it, but it gets harder and harder to even look at a mirror. :(

[morenasian]

Sorry for this late response. Haven't been on here in awhile.
To answer your question: when I had acne, yes, this is the regimen I followed 2-3 times per day. I saw a difference within a few days. Now that I'm acne free I don't do this regimen. I wash my face with Neutrogena, then use a ponds cold cream, then non-alcoholic witch hazel as a toner, and then apply TWO drops of jojoba oil on my face and neck.