How to Effectively Treat Cystic Acne

Are you struggling with cystic acne that causes pain, discomfort, and frustration? Those suffering from this type of acne often feel stressed and lack confidence in social situations. However, modern medicine offers treatments that can ease the condition. With medications that help reduce acne and alleviate pain, cystic acne no longer needs to be a major concern. The following article introduces some effective and fast treatments for cystic acne.

Cystic acne forms deeper beneath the skin compared to regular acne. Cystic acne develops in the deeper layers of the skin. It is a pus-filled cyst that forms when sebaceous glands become infected. This is why cystic acne is situated deeper beneath the skin than regular acne.

Cystic acne is more prone to infection. Doctors explain that cystic acne is highly likely to leave scars due to bacteria destroying the collagen layer beneath the skin. The scars from cystic acne are categorized into three main types:

• Indented scars that are shallow and can be treated.
• Square-based, deep scars that are harder to treat.
• Sharp-edged, small, deep scars.

Do not pop the cystic acne cyst. Although dermatologists advise against popping pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads can be removed by extracting the core, though the risk of infection is high. On the other hand, cystic acne cannot be treated the same way due to the acne core being deeply embedded in the skin.

• "Puncturing a pimple with a sharp needle is a common medical solution, but you should never attempt this treatment at home without expert guidance. Incorrectly puncturing a pimple could leave a scar or increase the risk of infection."

Medications and treatments that do not leave scars make cystic acne easier to handle. Cystic acne is no longer as serious and troublesome as before. Nowadays, more and more patients are using medications and treatments to eliminate acne, although these medications often come with side effects. If you are also suffering from cystic acne, your issue can be resolved if you use the right treatment method.

Book an appointment to consult a dermatologist about cystic acne today. Cystic acne is more severe than regular acne, and home remedies are often ineffective or even counterproductive. There are some treatments you can try at home, but it’s always best to follow a doctor’s guidance.

• Your doctor may prescribe strong medications. Due to their potency, these medications are not available over-the-counter at pharmacies. Schedule a consultation so the doctor can examine your acne and suggest effective treatments to get rid of cystic acne as soon as possible.

Consult with your doctor about using antibiotics. Antibiotics were once effective in treating cystic acne for a long time. However, due to overuse, acne-causing bacteria have developed resistance to antibiotics. The most commonly used antibiotics in the past include tetracyclines and erythromycins.

• Common antibiotics prescribed include:
  
  • Tetracycline
  • Doxycycline
  • Minocycline
• Discuss potential side effects with your doctor. Side effects of antibiotics may include: photosensitivity, liver damage, and other complications when used during pregnancy.

Consult with your doctor about hormonal treatment options (for women). Cystic acne is closely related to the hormonal levels in your body. That’s why doctors often prescribe birth control pills and anti-androgen medications to prevent acne flare-ups. Talk to your doctor about using anti-androgen medications to help manage your acne.

• Be aware of possible side effects. These may include: irregular periods, fatigue, dizziness, and breast tenderness.

Consult with your doctor about using Retinoid creams. Retinoid creams help unblock clogged pores, allowing other treatments to target and kill acne-causing bacteria inside the cyst. Retinoid creams are effective even for severe acne that other treatments can't address.

• Retinoid creams include:
  
  • Adapalene
  • Tazarotene (recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women)
  • Tretinoin (works better when used at low doses initially, gradually increasing over time)
• Retinoid creams may worsen your acne before improving it. Common side effects include redness, dryness, and peeling, and acne may worsen for several weeks to a month before showing improvement.
• Common side effects include: light sensitivity, dry skin, redness, and peeling.

Consult with your doctor about oral Retinoid medications. Oral Retinoid medications like Isotretinoin (commonly known as Accutane) are "particularly effective" in treating cystic acne. This oral medication is typically used for 6 months to a year. Isotretinoin can significantly reduce acne and alleviate pain, and in some cases, shorten the life cycle of a pimple. It is often the first choice for many dermatologists in severe cases.

• However, Isotretinoin has some serious side effects, including: stress, reduced fertility, miscarriage, hearing loss, birth defects, and other symptoms. Talk to your doctor about Isotretinoin; it is typically only considered in extreme cases or for patients with long-term acne that has not improved with other treatments.

Consult with your doctor about laser therapy treatments. This therapy can not only reduce scars left by acne but also target and eliminate cystic acne by using laser heat to dry out cysts and shrink sebaceous glands (which produce oil), and by oxidizing acne-causing bacteria to destroy them.

• However, this method may have side effects and undesirable outcomes, meaning it only works for certain individuals. There have been cases where the cooling component of the laser malfunctioned, causing burns to the patient.

Gently wash your face twice a day using mild cleansing products. It is better to choose cleansers with a mild formula rather than stronger ones, as both types provide similar results.

Moisturize your skin after cleansing. Your skin needs hydration after its natural oils and moisture are removed. Choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer (especially those in gel form) to avoid clogged pores and acne.

Exfoliate at least once a week using an exfoliant with Salicylic Acid. Salicylic Acid is a chemical exfoliant that helps remove dead skin cells from the epidermis, while providing a protective layer for the deeper layers of your skin.

Avoid picking at pimples or skin. Both acne and cystic pimples can become easily infected when touched, leading to irritation and redness, as well as increasing the risk of scarring due to bacterial invasion of the collagen beneath the skin. While it may be difficult, try not to touch your face or pick at blemishes. This will help maintain clear, healthy skin.

Stick to a simple daily routine. After visiting the clinic and receiving advice from the doctor on your skincare regimen, keep things simple. Follow the doctor’s instructions, wash your face daily, and avoid trusting any acne treatment gimmicks. Getting rid of acne requires time and patience, and it can only be eliminated when you create the right environment for medications and daily habits to work.

Pay attention to your diet. For a long time, doctors and experts were reluctant to acknowledge the connection between acne and diet. However, many doctors and scientists have started to explore evidence, and now, several studies support the hypothesis that diet affects the quantity and severity of acne, although diet is not the direct cause of acne.

• Try maintaining a "low-sugar diet." This means prioritizing whole grains, legumes, and vegetables over foods like white bread, pasta, and sugar. Foods with low sugar take longer to absorb but are more beneficial for you. Numerous studies show that people who follow a low-sugar diet are less likely to experience acne problems. A low-sugar diet not only protects skin health but also aids in weight loss.
• Avoid consuming "dairy products." Research suggests that dairy consumption does impact acne. While it's unreasonable to eliminate all milk and yogurt from your diet to treat acne, scientific evidence suggests that dairy products may worsen acne due to the hormones found in milk.

Quit stimulants such as alcohol and tobacco. Numerous theories worldwide recognize the connection between acne and the toxins in cigarettes and alcohol. There is no doubt that smoking and drinking are harmful to your health. If you have cystic acne and regularly smoke or drink alcohol, consider limiting these habits if you genuinely want to reduce your acne and improve your overall health.

Reduce stress and anxiety. Scientists have not pinpointed the exact cause, but they know that stress and anxiety can worsen acne. Particularly for men, acne tends to worsen under significant pressure. While stress is hard to manage, knowing that anxiety negatively affects acne can help you take a step back and relax when facing difficulties.

• Try to make time for physical exercise. Scientists believe that regular exercise helps regulate hormones, provides oxygen to cells, boosts the immune system, and reduces stress, all of which can reduce acne. If you can’t do much else, simply walking for 30 minutes a day is enough.

Get enough sleep. Stress and anxiety can be relieved when you get proper rest. For every hour you miss at night, your stress level increases by 15%. And as we know, more stress means worse acne. A study conducted on acne patients in South Korea showed a strong connection between sleep deprivation and worsening acne conditions.

Drink plenty of water. Another way to reduce sugar intake is to limit sugary drinks (such as sports drinks, cola, sweet tea, fruit juices) and instead hydrate with H₂O. Drinking more water helps your blood circulate more easily and assists in flushing out waste products from metabolism.

Apply cortisone cream to reduce inflammation and use scar treatments to fade acne scars. Acne scars caused by cystic acne can be significantly reduced with cortisone medications and various scar creams.

• If your skin is swollen and red, use cortisone. Cortisone is a widely used medication for all types of skin irritation, absorbed directly into the skin.
• Avoid hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is a skin lightening cream used to fade pigmentation spots, but it has recently been discontinued due to its cancer-causing properties. Instead, opt for other lightening agents like kojic acid, arbutin, or ascorbic acid.

Consult with your doctor about stronger exfoliating medications. Exfoliating medications containing acids can peel away one or more layers of skin, thereby helping to fade scars. Strong exfoliating treatments should be used under the supervision of a doctor and/or according to their instructions.

Consult a doctor about skin resurfacing techniques. Skin resurfacing involves the process of removing the outermost layer of skin using a rotating brush. This method can help reduce raised scars and shrink indented scars, but it may alter the pigmentation on darker skin areas.

• Explore digital dermabrasion. This method is gentler than the previously mentioned technique, using tiny crystal particles to smooth the outer skin layer, with the exfoliated skin and dead cells being vacuumed away. Since this technique only targets the outer skin layer, the results may not be as pronounced as with traditional dermabrasion.

Laser treatment for skin healing. Laser therapy dries the outer skin layer (epidermis) while heating the deeper layers. This method helps to heal and reduce scars. Sometimes, multiple laser sessions are needed to fade a scar, but its effectiveness may decrease with repeated use.

For large and deep scars or wounds, consult with a doctor about minor surgery for removal. These minor skin surgeries involve cutting out the scar tissue and either stitching the wound or grafting new skin using skin grafting techniques.

• Always look forward with a positive mindset. There are already many strong treatments for all types of cystic acne, and there's always a way to permanently eliminate your acne concerns.
• Make sure to visit a dermatology clinic for the best peace of mind. A dermatologist will provide the necessary guidance for your treatment.

• Avoid popping, squeezing, or poking cystic pimples as this can cause them to take longer to heal and may result in scarring.