How to Treat Cystic Acne
Posted: Saturday, January 07, 2006
by Donald Amodeo
Acne-Vitamins.com
Normal zits are already unpleasant enough, but cystic acne is a much more painful and potentially scarring experience for your skin (and your self esteem!). There is no “easy" remedy for getting rid of acne cysts, but there are certainly some treatment options that can help speed the process, as well as some things that you should be sure NOT to do. This advice is meant for acne sufferers with a mild to average number of cysts. If you have severe cystic acne that covers your face and body, you should really seek the advice of a dermatologist immediately, as an affliction such as this can leave your skin scarred for life.
Unlike the small whitehead pustules that most people with acne experience on the surface of their skin, cystic acne appears as large irritated bumps, often with the pustule hidden deep beneath the skin’s surface. These cysts are caused when hormonal shifts result in your skin glands overproducing oil (sebum) at an unnatural rate. The gland becomes swollen and eventually bursts, but not before the sebum has swelled and hardened into a clump too large to escape by means of your pores. The irritation from your gland bursting results in inflammation, and buried pustule can remain in your skin for a very long time.
What to do:
The first thing to keep in mind is what you should not do. Never try to force a deep cyst to the surface of your skin prematurely. Trying to force cysts to burst is one of the major causes of acne scars, and will often leave your face looking much worse than it did before.
There are some things that you can still do to help. Strong acne creams with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide will help speed the healing process by killing the bacteria that forms in the cyst. Anti-inflammatory treatments such as Neosporin can also help by taking some of the red out of the inflamed region. After this, it simply takes patience and the discipline not to pick at your skin. Your cysts will eventually be broken down by the body, and this usually takes less time than healing from the inflammation caused by forcing them out.
Prevention:
Cystic acne happens below the surface of your skin and has very little to do with personal hygene. Creams and cleansers will not help much at all in preventing it. You need to target your oil glands in order to counter those hormonal shifts. Start with a daily multivitamin to make sure you’re getting the minimum of essential nutrients that your body needs to metabolize oil, and then consider other supplements.
Zinc is an important mineral in regulating the activity of your oil glands, as well as being a powerful antioxidant. Taking an extra 30-50 mg per day of Zinc has helped many acne sufferers. Vitamin B5 is also a key ingredient in fighting excess oil. There are many online resources about vitamn B5 acne treatment. B5 is necessary in order to produce Coenzyme-A, which in turn is needed for the metabolism of skin oil. Supplementing with 5-10 grams of vitamin B5 (less if time-released) has helped many acne sufferers get their skin under control by enhancing oil metabolism. Since cystic acne is caused by excessive oil production, this may be exactly what you need.
If nothing else works for you, see a dermatologist, as you may need a prescription treatment such as Accutane (a vitamin A derivative that directly lowers your production of skin oil). However, this should only be a last resort, as the side-effects from prescription acne treatments can sometimes be more serious than the acne itself.
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Don Amodeo is the webmaster of Acne-Vitamins.com, where you can find vitamin B5 acne products and a free guide to vitamins for acne. This article may be republished provided that the author's information and all active links are left intact.
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More commentsI used to have AWFUL cystic acne last summer and decided to go to the doctor. He prescribed me antibiotics to kill the bacteria from the inside. He then sent me to a dermatologist and she told me to use Neutrogena's Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask day and night and gave me some Retinal cream to use at night. My face had to get used to the routine though, and it was a lot of dry, red, embarrassing days. Things did eventually clear up but I'm still left with the scars. What I regret the most was picking at my skinA good Peel will get rid of your scarring. You should try one, they are amazing!
I've taken my multi-vitamins, zinc and B-5 every day religiously for at least 3-5 weeks and I have seen noticeable improvements in my skin. The cystic acne is literally disappearing. Thank you for the info. This has been a huge life saver for me.
Can anybody please tell me if Proactiv's 3-step process + refining mask would help me? because i hate it when this acne gets to me, especially when i do get this, it is almost always in the dead center of my forehead :(I used Proactive for years and it did not help or prevent any acne. Actually all it did was dry out the rest of my skin.Amen to that. Proactiv should be sued for everything they have. What's the point in selling this stuff when it doesnt work other than to make money and pointlessly raising one's self esteem? The only ones that endorse it are celebrities who have acne airbrushed INTO the picture to make it look like we aren't all different, and then there are "real people, not actors" who get paid to lie about how great it is when they've never used it in their life.
Hi Proactive system is desined for people having Mild to Moderate acne, but for treating crystic acne you should use Accutane (isotrotinion)(20mg to 80 mg depending on your weight.But it is having side effects.You shuld use it atleast 3 to 4 monts for complete cure.in 1st or 2 weeks ur acne might be worsen ,but dont worry accutane will care for that.Its my personal expe, I have used Proactive as well as Accutane.Best of luck
i have cyctic acne...i used 8 months Accutane (after visiting many dermatologists) and i thought that everything is ok but after 2 months acne came again and in some periods its even worst... Now i can say that i am desperated... i am taking zinc for a month but nothing happens...so i will take both zinc and vitamin b5 and i hope that it will work...
Hello to all,
I'm using Puraskin Acne Treatment, it works on me. It perfectly remove all my acne, leaving no marks. It doesn't have any side effects at all.
puraskinacnetreatment.com.au
You have shared nice information to treat for Cystic can. Cystic acne manifests itself as cysts or bumps beneath the surface of the skin, while other kinds of acne, such as whiteheads or blackheads, feature clear heads on the pimples. Cystic acne does not. Often, cystic acne is painful and sensitive to touch. A range of issues, such as hormonal fluctuations, bacteria and diet, can cause it to develop.
I will have to try the vitamins, nothing works for me, and it is very hard to not pick at it! I have very sensitive skin and I am allergic to some acne products, benzoyl peroxide being one of them, so this is one of my last hopes.
Good article! One thing I would also like to share is that in many cases, cystic acne is not self inflicted. It's found that it has links to hereditary links in your family. That being said there are many things that can be done, and they've been covered quite well in this article. Also, be aware of so called "home made acne remedies" - while I personally know of many that work (because they're based on solid nutritional principles) many are bogus and seem to find their origin from dubious articles lying around the internet. Hope this helps!
I haven't tried zinc supplements but I have taken a generic form Accutane. I was diagnosed with a disease called ulcerative colitis, a disease which causes ulcers to form in my colon. The disease has been far more difficult to deal with than my cystic acne and if I would have known Accutane would almost kill me I wouldn't have taken it. I am 6 foot even and when I was being treated for my UC I weighed 100 pounds (I'm a male and was 17 at the time). When a doctor, patient, or anyone says Accutane is a last resort they mean it! I have been fortunate enough to not have too much scarring but I am having cystic acne again. Luckily now that the cysts are back my UC may have left my system along with the Accutane. Be careful what risks you will take for vanity.
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