Hi Dear, Welcome to HCM. Understanding your concern. Thanks for your query . Acne along with scares and pimples are severest form known as cystic acne which don t respond to oral or topical antibiotics. Stress and hormonal changes are very common causes for this condition . Other are side effect due to certain medicines. I would suggest you to : -Start with Isotretinoin for cystic acne and has the best chance of improvement. It is antiinflammatory, sebostatic and comedolytic in action. Improvement usually becomes evident within 2 weeks, however, the treatment duration is usually 4-5 months Take over the counter anti allergic drug like zyrtec. - Give cold compresses to acne . - Use facewash containing salicylic acid , which is very effective . - Apply apple cedar vinegar for 15 minutes and then wash away once daily . Besides Isotretinoin I would suggest topical antiacne treatment i.e clindamycin or benzoyl peroxide gel as scar treatment for active acne during day time and topical retinoid e.g adapalene gel, once daily at night to be applied over the whole of affected area . Consult dermatologist once if your symptoms keeps on exaggerating. Don t go for any abrasive or laser treatment. Hope your concern has been resolved. Best Wishes, Dr. Harry Maheshwari