Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 5: The difference between acne and cystic acne
• Method 2 of 5: Medical options for treating cystic acne
• Method 3 of 5: Develop a daily routine
• Method 4 of 5: Lifestyle changes that can improve acne
• Method 5 of 5: Reduce acne scars
• Tips
• Warnings

If you have acne with cyst formation, you probably already know how annoying, frustrating and annoying it is to have a regular outbreak. Nobody has to tell you that this form of acne will stress you and that it may make you uncomfortable in your social contacts. But what you may not know is that there is a difference between cyst-forming acne and acne vulgaris, and that medical treatment and certain medications can make this form of acne much less painful and visible, making it more tolerable. Read on to learn how to treat cystic acne quickly and effectively.

To step

Method 1 of 5: The difference between acne and cystic acne

1. Know that cystic acne affects deeper skin tissue than normal acne. Cystic acne affects the tissue that lies deeper than the skin on the surface, as is the case with normal acne. Cystic acne is a type of abscess that occurs when a sebaceous gland becomes inflamed under the skin. That is why cysts are often deeper under the skin than normal pimples.
2. Know that cystic acne is more likely to scar. More often scars are left after cystic acne because the collagen is damaged by the inflammation of the deeper tissue. There are three types of cystic acne scars:
   • Atrophic scars, sunken but generally shallow, can be treated effectively.
   • Apple borer scars, which are more difficult to treat.
   • Ice pick scars, these are small and deep.
3. Understand that most abscesses do not need to be squeezed. While most dermatologists and doctors caution against squeezing normal pimples, most white or black-headed pimples can be done gently yourself, although you run the risk of getting infected. You cannot do this with cysts, because they are too deep in the skin.
   • Usually a cyst is punctured or sucked with a sharp needle, but you should never do that at home without the guidance of a doctor. Improperly draining a cyst can lead to scarring or infection, so never do it yourself at home.
4. Know that cystic acne is much more tolerable nowadays with certain medications and scar treatment. Cystic acne today is no longer the disfiguring and debilitating condition it used to be. More and more patients with cystic acne are being treated with drugs, although these have become increasingly stronger, with which the side effects have also increased. If you have cystic acne, you can treat it properly under the right circumstances.
5. Make an appointment with your dermatologist to have the cysts checked. Cystic acne is much worse than regular acne; normal home remedies often don't work, or even backfire. There are measures you can take to relieve cystic acne at home, but this must be done in conjunction with medical treatment from a doctor.
   • A doctor can prescribe you strong medicines to treat the cysts.Because they are very strong, you cannot get them without a prescription. If you make an appointment with your doctor, he / she can look at your acne and draw up a treatment plan so that you can go through life pimple-free.

Method 2 of 5: Medical options for treating cystic acne

1. Talk to your doctor about antibiotics to treat cystic acne. For a long time, cystic acne has been successfully treated with antibiotics. Now, probably due to its overuse, the bacteria have become resistant, making it not always effective. Antibiotics used in the treatment of cystic acne are tetracyclines or erythromycin.
   • The most common antibiotics that are prescribed are:
     
     • Tetracycline
     • Doxycycline
     • Minocycline
   • Talk to your doctor about possible side effects. Side effects of antibiotics can include hypersensitivity to sunlight, liver damage and pregnancy complications.
2. Talk to your doctor about hormone treatment (for women only). Like it or not, acne is affected by your hormones. That's why many doctors prescribe the pill or antiandrogens to control acne outbreaks. Talk to your doctor about antiandrogens, which can reduce the severity of cystic acne.
   • Be aware that there may be side effects. Side effects include an irregular cycle, fatigue, dizziness and breast tenderness.
3. Talk to your doctor about topical retinoids. Retinoids can unclog clogged pores, allowing other drugs to penetrate better and thus fight the bacteria that cause acne. Topical retinoids are only used for moderate to severe acne, when other treatments fail.
   • Topical retinoids include:
     
     • Adapalene.
     • Tretinoin. This drug is more effective if you start with a low dose and build it up.
   • Topical retinoids usually make acne worse before it gets better. In many cases, redness, dry skin and peeling occur, in addition to worsening of the cysts before improving after a few weeks to a month.
   • Talk to your doctor about possible side effects. Side effects include hypersensitivity to light, dehydrated skin, redness and peeling.
4. Talk to your doctor about oral retinoids. Systemic retinoids, such as isotretinoin exceptionally effective in the treatment of cystic acne. When isotretinoin is taken orally, usually for six months to a year, it can dramatically reduce the appearance and appearance of cysts, and in many cases cysts do not occur for a long time. In some cases, isotretinoin may even appear to cure acne.
   • But unfortunately isotretinoin also has serious side effects. These include: depression, birth defects, miscarriages, deafness and bowel disease. Consult with your doctor whether you can use isotretinoin; only in the worst cases of cystic acne, where no other means helps, this strong drug is prescribed.
5. Talk to your doctor about laser therapy. Laser therapy is now only used to reduce scars, but it can also help with an outbreak of cystic acne. Laser therapy works by burning away the hair follicles, by burning away the sebaceous gland, or by oxidizing the bacteria, killing them.
   • Yet there are also side effects and counterproductive results, which means that this treatment does not work equally well for everyone. In some cases it has even resulted in burns.

Method 3 of 5: Develop a daily routine

1. Wash your face twice a day with a gentle, water-soluble cleanser. Water-soluble cleaning products are often milder than other products and just as effective.
2. Make sure to moisturize your skin after washing. Your skin needs moisture after you have extracted fat and moisture from your skin. Use a moisturizer that won't clog pores and go for a light type (gel, for example) instead of an oily one.
3. Exfoliate your skin at least once a week, preferably with a salicylic acid-based peel. Salicylic acid is a chemical peel that loosens dead skin, revealing new skin underneath.
4. Do not touch or squeeze the cysts. Chances are that in addition to cystic acne, you also have regular acne. If you touch your skin, it can become inflamed, making it more red and irritated, and you may have permanent scars. As hard as it is, try not to touch your face. Your skin will become healthier and you will have fewer pimples.
5. Keep your routine simple. If you've been to your doctor and have been recommended a routine, keep it simple. Follow your doctor's advice, wash your face and moisturize your skin daily, and don't fall for all kinds of remedies the commercials try to sell you on. You have to be patient to get rid of acne, but you can if you let the medications and your routine do their work.

Method 4 of 5: Lifestyle changes that can improve acne

1. Watch your diet. For a long time, doctors and dermatologists did not want to link diet and acne. Today, doctors and scientists are beginning to re-evaluate the evidence, and it appears that many studies support the statement that what you eat affects how much acne you have and how severe it is, although diet isn't the only culprit.
   • Try one low glycemic diet. That means you eat mostly whole grains, beans and vegetables, and less white bread, pasta and sugar. Low-glycemic foods are absorbed more slowly by the body and are usually healthier. Several studies have shown that people who eat low-glycemic foods suffer less from acne. A low-glycemic diet is not only good for your skin, but also for a healthy weight.
   • Eat and drink less dairy. Research suggests that the amount of dairy you consume has an effect on acne. While it is unreasonable to think that your acne will magically disappear if you stop taking milk or yogurt, there is evidence that dairy makes acne worse, possibly because of the hormones in the milk.
2. Less with alcohol and smoking. Studies worldwide have linked the toxins in tobacco and alcohol and acne. And that is not surprising: smoking and drinking are not good for your health anyway. If you smoke and drink a lot, try cutting back on or quitting if you want less acne.
3. Reduce stress. Scientists are not yet sure why it is, but they do know that stress makes acne worse. Especially in men, it seems that the acne also gets worse when the stress gets worse. While it can be very difficult to control stress, just realizing that stress contributes to your acne can keep you from pulling your hair out the next time you've had a bad grade or a failed date.
   • Try to make time to exercise. Scientists believe that exercising regularly can help reduce acne by regulating hormones, bringing more oxygen to your cells and strengthening the immune system, not to mention reducing stress. In any case, try to walk for at least 30 minutes every day.
4. Get plenty of sleep. More sleep can improve acne because the body experiences less stress. Scientists believe that stress can increase by about 15% if you sleep one hour less per night. And as we already know, the more stress, the worse the acne.
5. Drinking water. If you want to consume less sugar, stop all soft drinks (sports drinks, cola, sweet tea, fruit juice) and drink nice water. If you drink more water, you improve your blood flow and your body can more easily excrete toxins.

Method 5 of 5: Reduce acne scars

1. Ask your doctor to prescribe a cortisone cream. Cyst scars can be made less visible with a cortisone cream.
   • If your skin is red and swollen, apply a cortisone cream to reduce inflammation. Cortisones are used for all kinds of skin conditions and are absorbed through the skin.
   • Do not use hydroquinone cream. These creams are used to lighten the skin and are available over the internet, but may have carcinogenic properties. Instead, take a bleaching cream based on kojic acid, arbutin or acorbic acid.
2. Talk to your doctor about a strong peel. Chemical peels use a strong acid that removes the top layers of the skin, making scars less visible. Strong chemical peels should only be done on doctor's advice and under supervision.
3. Talk to your doctor about dermabrasion. With dermabrasion, the top layers of skin are sanded away with a fast-rotating brush. Surface blemishes are usually removed, and deeper scars become less deep, but if you have dark skin, dermabrasion can discolor the skin.
   • Talk to your doctor about microdermabrasion. This is a lighter procedure than dermabrasion, and involves sanding the skin with a kind of small crystals that are then sucked up along with the dead skin cells, but since you only remove the top layer of skin, the effect will be less visible than with dermabrasion.
4. Talk to your doctor about laser treatment. Lasers destroy the outer skin layer and heat the skin layer underneath. The skin heals, making the scars less visible. Sometimes several treatments are required; the result is then more subtle.
5. For deep, large scars, you can talk to your doctor about surgery. The scars are then cut away and replaced with new skin.

Tips

• Stay Optimistic. Cystic acne responds well to strong medications, so there's a good chance you'll get rid of it forever.
• Make an appointment with a dermatologist. He will give you specific instructions.

Warnings

• Do not scratch, squeeze, or press on cysts. That slows down the healing process and you are left with scars.