Overview of Cystic Acne Causes and Treatments
Acne is divided into categories according to severity, with the worst of these being cystic acne.
Cystic acne is characterized by severe lesions that occur deep within the skin. The lesions are sometimes so embedded and so inflamed that they develop into cysts. This condition is also referred to as nodular acne. This kind of acne is typically very painful and are difficult if not impossible to conceal using cosmetics.
Causes
Studies have shown that cystic acne can be hereditary, so if someone in your family has suffered from these kind of breakouts, you could be genetically predisposed to have it as well.
Cystic acne is also caused by the same factors that contribute to all forms of acne. Excess oil production, along with a slow cell turnover rate in the skin, can create the perfect conditions for this affliction. Stress, poor diet, dehydration, and lack of sleep can also cause and worsen inflammation and breakouts.
Dangers
High levels of bacteria can accumulate in the body of people with nodular acne. Because of this, certain immune problems can eventually develop which can hinder their ability to fight off all kinds of illness and infections.
Scarring and other long-term or permanent damage to the skin is much more likely to occur in individuals with cystic pimples, since the lesions are so severe and are embedded so deeply. That’s why it’s important to do everything you can to control the problem as soon as possible if you find yourself suffering from it.
Knowing what causes cystic acne is definitely a step in the right direction, but what about treating it? Just because severe breakouts run in your family, or you just have extremely acne-prone skin does not mean that you don’t have a lot of hope for getting rid of this unfortunate condition.
Treatment
When you suffer from skin eruptions of any degree, you must absolutely commit to a regular care regimen in order to clear it up. This includes washing your face often to remove dirt, oils, and product residue that can flare up your skin. It also means that you should eat a healthy diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals, and stay well hydrated. Getting enough sleep and working to reduce stress in your life are also key components in a successful acne treatment regimen, whether you have a few occasional blackheads or several severely inflamed lesions and cysts.
There are also many options available for treating this condition above and beyond the care that should be taken to treat any type of skin eruptions.
- Chemical peels are one popular treatment for severe acne. Chemical peels employ the use of acids or enzymes that cause the topmost layers of skin to essentially burn off, revealing new more attractive skin underneath. This can be quite effective in minimizing scars and damage from past pimples and blackheads, but it usually takes several treatments before seeing dramatic results.
- Skin resurfacing treatments are an increasingly popular way to restore some smoothness to skin that has suffered damage from severe breakouts. Skin resurfacing is usually done with a specialized laser, but other methods use microdermasion to achieve these results. Microdermabrasion is a process by which surface skin cells are removed through the use of tiny abrasive particles.
- Cortisone injections are sometimes given by dermatologists when an acne cyst is very large and stubborn. The cortisone is administered directly into the lesion, where it quells inflammation and helps dramatically speeds up healing. This kind of treatment can be very effective, but also painful and costly.
- Drainage, sometimes called acne surgery, is a form of treatment that involves the use of a sterile needle which a qualified professional uses to release and remove the infected material inside the cyst.
- Prescription medications are also available to treat cystic acne. These are usually very strong and can have some serious side effects, so consult your physician before considering their use.
- A quick fix you can do easily at home is to place some ice directly on top of your pimples for several minutes. This can reduce the size and appearance, though temporarily, of the individual lesions. This is a good trick to try before applying makeup, as it will make the bump a bit less noticeable and therefore easier to cover up.
If you are suffering from cystic acne, take immediate steps toward getting rid of it. Clear skin is possible, and with so many options for treatment, there is bound to be something that will work for you.