Regardless of your current age, if you've ever experienced the soul-crushing period of your life known as puberty, chances are you're already acquainted with the term acne. Cystic acne is a severe type of acne that can cause cysts, leave acne scars, and result in low self-esteem.
Luckily, you can try a few acne treatments before giving up and learning to live with it.
What is Cystic Acne?
There are several types of acne that can potentially manifest all over the body, the most serious and painful type being cystic acne. As the name suggests, this type of acne emerges when acne cysts form underneath the skin - a result of a concoction of excess sebum, acne-causing bacteria, and skin cells.
How Can You Tell the Difference Between Cystic Acne and Other Types of Acne?
What differentiates cystic acne from pimp
les is their size (cystic acne are bigger and more painful), and depth (cysts are set deep within the epidermis). It's important to note that this type of acne can occur at any point in life, so you shouldn't feel ashamed if you're past your teenage years and starting to develop cystic acne.
It's imperative that you don't let cystic acne breakouts affect your stress levels since stress hormones can increase your sebum production and clog pores. Don't try to pop painful pimples yourself because you risk permanent scarring.
Symptoms
You can recognize if you're dealing with cystic acne by examining the breakouts themselves.
In this case, a cystic acne breakout will have large, painful, pus-filled acne cysts encircled with redness. The most common breakout area is the face, particularly the chin and neck. Research suggests that acne around your chin area is linked to hormonal imbalances and changes, which is why they're more common in women.
Causes
Since prevention is a lot easier than treating cystic acne, let's examine what causes cystic acne in the first place.
Several factors can cause cystic acne flare-ups: genetics, stress levels, diet, lifestyle, and changes in hormonal levels. In addition, cosmetic and clinical research shows that a few factors can worsen cystic acne - such as the consumption of dairy, certain types of medication (like birth control) and hormonal fluctuations, particularly during menstruation and perimenopause. An increased stress level also causes cystic acne.
Who is Prone to Developing Cystic Acne?
Generally speaking, teenagers are at a higher risk of developing cystic acne due to the many changes their bodies are going through. Specifically, the level of androgen hormones produced in the body increases notably. However, adult acne cysts are common, too.
According to this study, women are also more likely to suffer from cystic and inflammatory acne in their chin due to a higher fluctuation in their hormone levels.
First-aid Treatment
What should you do if you have an important event coming soon and you spot an irritating cyst on your chin? There are a few safe home remedies you could try. First off, don't try to remove the cystic acne spot or pop it at home - you risk hyperpigmentation and permanent scarring, and chances are it won’t help anyway! You can easily pick up an over-the-counter spot treatment or try these home remedies.
Tea Tree Oil
Essential tea tree oil is a great natural remedy to treat cystic acne and the painful bumps on your chin. It can help fight the bacterium trapped in the cyst, all the while shrinking its size.
Simply insert a few drops in water (the ratio is about two to three drops to one ounce of water) and apply it directly on the cyst several times a day.
Aloe Vera
Another powerful plant that can aid you in the battle against cystic acne is aloe vera. With its proven anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, it's a cheap and effective way to combat both the redness and the size of the cyst.
Simply apply pure aloe vera gel over cystic pimples, and you'll be good to go in a few hours.
Turmeric
While we're on the subject of anti-inflammatory ingredients, you could also try using turmeric as a spot treatment. Mix one teaspoon of turmeric powder with a few drops of water and apply the paste to your cyst.
Curcumin, the ingredient found in turmeric, will tame both inflammation and infection. If you want additional benefits from this familiar spice, try adding it to your favorite savory dishes..
Apple Cider Vinegar
Not only does apple cider vinegar make for a great salad dressing, but because it's an astringent, it can also combat painful acne cysts by taming the swelling and getting rid of excess oil. It can also restore your skin’s PH levels which will help prevent acne in the future.
Want to make your own apple cider vinegar cleanser? Simply mix equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and water and dip a cotton ball in the mixture. Then, apply it to the acne cysts. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, and then wash your face as you would regularly.
Baking Soda
An ingredient that works wonders on your skin is baking soda. It works as an exfoliant by combating dead skin cells and removing built-up oil from clogged pores. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with water, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and then wash it off with a gentle cleanser or warm water.
Aspirin Mask
We know aspirin isn't your typical mask ingredient, but give this mask a go! Squash an aspirin tablet, mix it with water to create a paste, and apply it to the affected area. The mask should help with swelling and redness.
Lemon Juice
This vitamin C powerhouse is another option for quick cystic acne treatment. Dab a cotton ball into lemon juice and apply it directly on the cyst. Let it work its magic overnight and wash it off in the morning. Be careful with this one - if you have sensitive skin, it may upset the skin's protective barrier.
Other Acne Treatment Options
Even though the above-mentioned natural remedies are perfectly applicable to many situations, the safest and most effective option is always to see a board-certified dermatologist. Cystic acne is a bummer, but you have the upper hand.
Let's look into the few treatments that can be prescribed to you.
Topical Treatments
Using over-the-counter products such as gels, toners, spot treatments and topical retinoids will work wonders for your acne. Here at Misumi, we have a Retinol Intense Repair PM Creme to kill bacteria, help reduce breakouts, and clear severe acne vulgaris.
Ingredients found in these acne treatments include salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, both of which treat acne locally and encourage clearer skin. The types of products your dermatologist will prescribe you depend largely on the severity of the acne, the root cause, and your treatment history. They'll let you know which topical treatment will be best for you.
Antibiotics
Oral antibiotics combat the bacteria that are causing cystic breakouts and inflammation. The treatment can last up to six months. It's important to mention that oral antibiotics often come hand-in-hand with a couple of side effects, such as digestion problems and nausea - sometimes even a yeast infection.
In addition, this oral medication can also lead to antibiotic resistance, so your body will become less affected by them, even when you need them for other infections and diseases. Not to mention, in most cases, antibiotics are only a temporary solution. For some patients, their severe acne tends to come back after they go off them.
Birth Control Pills
Women are often prescribed birth control pills by their dermatologist or gynecologist to help with hormonal acne. These oral medications can help balance out your hormones and will even normalize your menstrual cycle. The pill can also be used in combination with antibiotics.
Make sure you give a detailed medical history to your doctor beforehand, as this option can also worsen acne.
Spironolactone
Spironolactone is another hormonal treatment prescribed to women that can help with acne caused by hormonal imbalance. It works by lowering testosterone levels, which in turn reduces oil production.
Accutane (Isotretinoin)
If none of these treatments work, you'll probably be considered for an Accutane treatment. Accutane is an oral form of vitamin A that kills acne-causing bacteria, removes excess oil, and unclogs the pores. It also shrinks your oil glands, which changes the quality of your skin in the long run. It's one of the most effective and permanent solutions for cystic acne.
Most patients don't relapse after this spot treatment, as Accutane can result in the permanent clearing of acne. Your dosage will depend on the severity of your acne. The recommended daily dose is 0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg/day, taken with food. The treatment lasts from 15 to 20 weeks.
The most common side effects include dry skin, redness, itching, and dry lips. While severe side effects are very rare, you should think about starting Accutane carefully since it comes with a few risks.
How to Prevent Cystic Acne on the Chin
With the help of your dermatologist, a well-established skincare routine is crucial for winning the battle against cystic acne. A gentle yet efficient cleanser that removes excess oil and bacteria is a must! Try Misumi's Clear Skin Salicylic Cleanser to soothe skin inflammation and prevent future breakouts. Salicylic acid is a common treatment, as it works to unclog pores and treat cystic acne.
Follow up with an oil-free moisturizer that isn't too drying on the skin's surface since that can be counterproductive.
If you are a regular makeup user, avoid comedogenic makeup ingredients such as oils, silicones, petrochemicals, perfumes, colorants, parabens, phthalates, alcohols, acrylics, and talc. Yes, reading makeup ingredients can be a bore, but you should think of it as an investment in your skin.
Also, make sure to take your makeup off before going to bed. Wear sunscreen underneath your makeup to prevent sun damage and protect skin health.
Wash your hair regularly since the oil can get on your face. Tie it in a loose bun before going to bed. Don't touch your face with your hands, as it can be detrimental to your skin. If you want to get rid of that pesky cystic pimple, avoid touching your chin with your hands..
Drink lots of water on a daily basis. Green tea is another excellent option because it can lower the androgen levels in the body, and the antioxidants it contains are crucial for a clear complexion. Monitoring your diet is also important. Avoid processed foods or foods that have a high glycemic index, like white bread, pasta, processed sugar, and dairy. Instead, opt for as many fresh fruits and vegetables as you can.
Manage your stress levels by exercising regularly, doing yoga, or meditating. When you exercise, you release endorphins, which minimize stress. In addition to keeping your skin clear, exercise also promotes blood flow in the face, which nourishes your skin and provides the cells with oxygen and nutrients while also helping collagen production. The sweat cleans your pores inside and out, working to calm inflammation.
Psychological Damage
A topic that's rarely discussed is the psychological effect of cystic acne. Due to the sensitive nature of the condition, teenagers and young adults who suffer from cystic acne are prone to certain mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. Their lowered self-esteem can lead to problems in the long run, which is why it's important to get to the root cause as soon as possible and treat the acne thoroughly and effectively.
And last but not least, don't get discouraged - nearly everyone has had some trouble with acne, acne, even celebrities!
References
A review of diagnosis and treatment of acne in adult female patients
Acne: more than skin deep
Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris
