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Everyone has experienced acne at some point in their lives, most often as teenagers. Usually, it’s an unsightly blemish you wake up to before a big event; some last a couple of days, and some last longer.

Cystic acne is by far the most painful, long-lasting, and severe form of acne. It can leave scars, lead to unwanted pigmentation, and cause grief due to its appearance on the face and other upper extremities. While cystic acne is hard to treat and there is not a definitive cure, there are treatments and medications available to alleviate symptoms and prevent future outbreaks.

What Causes Cystic Acne?

Cystic acne is different from other types of acne because it occurs deep in the skin tissue, making it hard to treat and extremely painful. How does this happen?

Your skin produces a substance called sebum, which coats the skin to lubricate and waterproof it. When overproduction of dead skin cells and sebum combine with bacteria, the gland becomes swollen and infected below the surface of the skin. The pore cannot empty its contents, causing it to swell and rupture under the skin – creating the red bumps we see on the surface in the form of pimples or zits.

The overproduction of sebum and dead skin cells can be genetic but is primarily caused by hormones increasing or fluctuating. This is why many adolescents going through puberty experience acne. Other events can cause hormone levels to fluctuate like stress, pregnancy, menopause, and menstruation.

How Can I Treat My Cystic Acne?

If you have cystic acne, you know topical treatments alone can’t fix this skin condition. Looking for a cure can seem exhausting and relentless. The most common ways to treat for severe acne is with cortisone shots (directly into the pimple), laser treatments, Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), antibiotics, and sometimes hormone therapy.

Our clinic and skin experts have a plan for you. A specialist at Barba Skin Clinic can examine your skin during a consultation and discuss what options may work for your skin type. We combine traditional methods and medications with our innovative facials, peels, and laser treatments. Our personalized cystic acne treatment plans focus on getting to the source of the problem, by eliminating bacteria and revealing the beautiful skin you are meant to have.

Combined with monthly checkups to make sure everything is going well, these are some things you can do at home to prevent flare-ups:

  • Avoid washing your face with bars of soap. The substances used to keep these bars together can clog your pores, adding to the bodies that cause acne to form.
  • Use a gentle cleanser that is water-soluble, two times a day.
  • Exfoliate before bed to remove dirt and bacteria that have built up over the course of the day.
  • Don’t use thick or creamy moisturizers, these can clog pores and promote oil production.
  • Try to avoid greasy cosmetics.
  • Some regions promote a humid climate, if at all possible try to avoid excess sweating and buy a dehumidifier.
  • Avoid harsh scrubbing of the skin and squeezing pimples.

In addition to cystic acne treatment, our skin care experts are experienced in treating other forms of acne and skin conditions.

Schedule a Cystic Acne Consultation Today

If you are seeking cystic acne treatment, Barba Skin Clinic can help. Schedule an appointment with one of our aestheticians through our online form, or call our office at 305-560-6813.

We look forward to working with you and giving your skin the personalized care it deserves.