Cystic acne, what is it and how is it treated
Cystic acne is a severe form of acne where the pustule develops into small cysts. The most frequent description we hear from customers is that the pimple is larger, more painful and deeper then normal acne. This type of breakout is less common then normal acne and can have many different reasons for happening. Like other forms of acne , it's directly caused by an excess buildup of sebum in the pores and, contrary to popular belief, it is not caused by hygiene. We have found that cystic acne is more commonly found on the body then on the face, but can occur on both. Cysts may occur singly, or be widespread over the face, neck, scalp, back, chest and shoulders
While cystic acne may occure for both women and men, but for women it can also be triggered during their menstrual cycle or post pregnancy.
Like pimples, which are more common, cysts are usually filled with a white pus-like substance. They are usually several millimeters in diameter, and can be quite painful. If cystic acne is not treated early on, some degree of scarring can occur. Cystic acne can occur at any age, and can commonly be seen in women after their pregnancy because of the constant huge hormonal changes taking place in the body.
We recommend seeing a doctor if the cyst becomes large or painful in the case you need some form of anti-biotic. Often Dermatoligsts will treat Nodulocystic acne (the medical name for cystic acne) with an aggressive treatment regimen that may include isotretinoin and antibiotics depending on the severity.
Treatment
For treatment of cystic acne we often recommend our Body Acne Combo because of it's ability to penetrate deep to where the cyst is found. The body wash can be used on your face although it is more abrasive so people with sensitive skin may not want to try that. The acne mask will work great on any complexion as it can help dry out the cyst. Some customers like to use the acne mask in conjunction with our facial cleansing gel for cytic acne on their faces instead of the body acne wash. We offten hear that the AHA / BHA complex works well too in treating more severe acne. You can fill out a custom regime request where one of our skin care experts can help reoccmend a good treatment for you.
A frequently question is: Should squeeze the pus filled pustules to get rid of the pus? We recommend against that as it increases the chances of developing a permanent scar on the skin. If scarring does occur we offer a scar treatment kit which can help with discoloration as well as improving the appearance pit marks.
Please remember the information and advice provided here is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Any person suffering from conditions requiring medical attention, or who have symptoms that concern them, should consult a qualified medical practitioner.