Cystic Acne – A Quick Understanding

Cystic Acne is a kind of painful, deeply rooted acne that results in large cysts covering the face, neck, chest, or back. Unlike comedones, which are clogged pores that result in blackheads and whiteheads, or acne vulgaris, which is the clogging of hair follicles and the sebaceous gland, cystic acne is caused solely by hormones. This type of acne is quite easy to detect, but a bit trickier to treat.

 

Causes of Cystic Acne

Cystic acne is generally caused by a genetic hormonal imbalance. That’s why majority of the cases are found among teenagers, women who are menstruating, and pregnant women.

Sebaceous glands in the skin become sensitive due to the increase in testosterone (male hormones). These sensitive glands then produce an excessive amount of sebum, which clogs the pores. This creates hard, swollen pimples that never rise to the skin’s surface. These pimples burst underneath the skin and cause a painful inflammation on the skin.

 

How to Treat Cystic Acne

Treating cystic acne is difficult, lengthy, and tricky, but don’t give up all hope! It is still possible to get rid of cystic acne and the scars that are left from it. Here are some steps you can follow to improve the condition:

First, don’t pick at the cysts! Cysts don’t usually have a whitehead that rises to the surface, so by tampering with the inflammation, you can cause an even bigger problem than what previously existed. Cystic acne, once popped?, is  most likely to leave permanent, apparent scars, so leave the cysts alone!

In addition, stick to a skin care routine that exfoliates, moisturizes, and rejuvenates your skin. You can also  reduce the inflammation by applying aloe vera, ice, or other coolants to the problematic areas.

Research shows that acne is often connected to the body’s dairy intake, so try cutting out dairy to see if it’s the cause of your cystic acne.

And lastly, explore all the various options with a dermatologist. First Derm has board-certified dermatologists that you can contact to address your concerns and that will help you explore your various options!