Best Treatment for Cystic Acne

When most people think of acne, those little red dots on the surface of the skin come to mind, and the most practiced solution for dealing with them is to zap those suckers dry until they disappear completely. But did you know that there’s a certain type of acne that exists below the surface? It’s called cystic acne, and it’s not your average pimple!

What Is Cystic Acne?

Cystic acne is the most rare form of acne. While more common among men than women, cystic acne has the potential to affect anyone, regardless of sex, age, race, or other identifiers. While the cause of cystic acne is unknown, an imbalance involving the androgen hormones are believed to play a large part in its formation. Cystic acne can be especially hard to treat as symptoms develop below the surface of the skin, resulting in swollen, often painful red bumps resembling boils. Although many topical solutions are simply marketed to “fight acne,” not all are created to combat cysts, and because acne comes in a variety of types, some requiring a different course of treatment than others, it is important to learn your acne type to ensure the best results.

If you have cystic acne, read on to learn more about your specific acne type, with a few surprising facts you may not have heard before!

5 Facts You May Not Know About Cystic Acne

1. Cystic acne is a form of inflammatory acne. Inflammation is a natural response of the body. When a pore becomes clogged with excess oil and dead skin cells, bacteria forms, which alerts the body to send in white blood cells to “attack” the foreign agent. A clogged pore becomes inflamed either on top of, or in the case of cysts, underneath the surface of the skin, resulting in acne symptoms known as pimples. Although cysts don’t result in whiteheads as some pimples do, the redness and swelling that comes with them are a form of an inflammatory response, and should be treated as such.
2. Cysts occur when inflamed pores become ruptured. All acne can be traced back to a clogged hair follicle, or pore. In the case of cystic acne, breakouts occur when the inflamed pore becomes ruptured, releasing bacteria which leads to a wider spread of inflammation underneath the surface of the skin. This rupturing can be caused by squeezing or harsh scrubbing of the affected area, so if you deal with cysts it’s important to remember to be gentle - wash gently twice daily and absolutely NO picking or popping! It may be tempting, but it will likely only lead to more breakouts for even longer (and worse yet, acne scarring which is irreversible!).
3. Cysts begin forming days before symptoms become apparent. Many people look to treat their acne as soon as it's formed on their skin, but for anyone with cystic acne, that’s easier said than done. What most people don’t realize is that acne actually begins forming internally days before symptoms reach the surface of the skin, in a process known as the acne cascade. Topical washes are an essential part of any acne-prone skincare regimen, but that’s only half the battle. In order to truly target acne, and prevent it from returning, the cascade must be addressed in far earlier stages of the cycle.
4. Cystic acne is NOT caused by greasy food or chocolate. While the foods we eat can cause our bodies to react in different ways, there is no one food the formation of acne can be pinned on. If there were that easy, wouldn’t we all just eliminate those items from our diets and enjoy living out our days entirely acne free? The myth of grease and sugar, while more of a scare tactic, can be used for good if we can be encouraged to exercise mindfulness when it comes to witnessing our bodies’ reaction to certain foods. If you find yourself breaking out around your mouth after enjoying a slice of greasy pizza, try rinsing that excess oil away ASAP, to help ensure unclogged pores on the surface of your skin. If sweet treats containing refined sugar can be linked to your acne-prone skin, try swapping it out for a natural sweetener, such as honey.  Some people even go to their doctor to get an allergy test, since, some inflammatory ingredients (ex. gluten, dairy) can contribute to inflammation.  There may be no scientific cure for acne, but we can learn to listen to our bodies, and make changes to work with it!
5. Most doctors recommend going within to treat cystic acne, and most forms of moderate to severe acne. Because cysts form below the surface of the skin, most topical treatments do little to treat the problem, leaving many cystic acne sufferers feeling frustrated and helpless. Those with severe cystic acne who have consulted a dermatologist are steered toward treating the problem internally, either with oral antibiotics, hormonal birth control, prescription creams, cortisone shots, or prescription acne medications such as Accutane, the latter of which can come with some hefty, and potentially devastating side effects (generics are still on the market, but Accutane has been removed from the market due to a class action suite). As experts in the field, we especially agree with this systemic approach, though advise anyone with acne to consider the side effects that may come with any of these solutions, and encourage all to research less damaging solutions to address your skincare concerns (our AcnEase users have already done this and are on their way to clear skin for good!).

What’s The Best Way To Treat Cystic Acne?

As with any type of acne, the only way to experience real results in terms of treatment is to approach the problem with preventative measures. Because cystic acne is caused by a hormonal imbalance, which triggers sebaceous gland to produce more sebum than needed, a topical treatment will be too late in getting to the problem, making the case for cystic acne an inside job. Sticking to an anti-inflammatory diet can go a long way in treating the problem. For anyone with severe cystic acne, a systemic treatment in combination with a healthy diet can be just what your skin needs to find real, lasting relief. AcnEase, an herbal acne treatment that works from within, targets the relationship between the hormones and sebaceous glands by creating a buffer between the two, preventing any imbalance from negatively affecting the production of sebum. Safe, effective, and designed with the severity of your acne in mind, AcnEase delivers results without the harmful side effects, making this one skincare solution both your face, and body, can live with in peace!

We want to hear from you! Are there any facts about cystic acne you were surprised to learn? Have any treatment tips for anyone with cystic acne, or scarring? Tell us in the comments!

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with changes in the levels of certain hormones:

• Estrogen and progesterone, the female hormones
• Androgens, male hormones found in small amounts even in women

It is not completely understood why or how the changes in the hormone levels occur in woman with Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).  PCOS can have a wide spectrum of symptoms due to the diversity of the syndrome.  A common denominator however is fluctuations in hormone levels including an increase in testosterone, both known as contributing factors for acne.  The ingredients present in AcnEase® are tailored to limit the negative impact of fluctuations in hormone levels and increases in free testosterone on the sebaceous glands that produce sebum (skin oil)

Acne pimples form in the pores surrounding hair follicles due to over secretion of sebum by the sebaceous glands.  The most common factor impacting over production of sebum is fluctuating hormone levels.  The primary hormones that impact sebaceous gland secretions however are androgen related (testosterone, and its analogs DHT and DHEAS).  These hormones will directly impact the sebaceous glands and increase sebum production and initiate the acne cascade.  As sebum accumulates in the pores it traps dead skin cells which provide an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria. As bacteria grow your body responds with an inflammatory response bringing white blood cells to attack the bacteria. This response is seen as pimples, often inflamed, on the surface of the skin.

In most cases the pimples are “walled off” by the body and restricted to a single pore.  In some cases the local inflammatory response spreads under the surface of the skin to cause “bumps” which are the sign of acne cysts.  Cystic acne is the most serious form of acne that causes damage to the underlying layers of the skin and any attempt to “squeeze” these bumps will only further damage the skin.  It is quite often that women who suffer from PCOS also suffer from acne. Furthermore, PCOS may contribute to inflammation and also lead to the formation of inflammatory cysts.

Understanding that androgen related hormones can influence sebaceous gland secretions is only part of the story. What most people do not understand is that only 1-2% of these hormones circulate freely in the blood; the other 98% are bound to a protein called Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG). If the androgen hormones are bound to SHBG in the blood they will not cause acne, it is only the “free form” of DHT and DHEAS that can cause the sebaceous glands to make more sebum.  Again with PCOS you have a double whammy; fluctuating female sex hormones and more male sex hormones (androgens/testosterone), therefore the likelihood that the levels of freely circulating hormone levels are increased is obviously much more likely. 

AcnEase will blunt the impact of hormones on the sebaceous glands and thereby will improve your chance to stop acne formation.  Since PCOS is difficult to control, women who have PCOS and acne may use AcnEase in conjunction with some topical acne products providing they do not dry out or irritate your skin.  It is important however to understand that NO TOPICAL PRODUCT CAN REALLY STOP ACNE FROM COMING SINCE NO TOPIAL PRODUCT CAN MODERATE THE IMPACT HORMONAL IMBALANCE HAS ON PRODUCTION OF SEBUM BY SEBACIOUS GLANDS.

It is worth to mention that other than acne symptoms women with PCOS can experience changes in their period (menstrual cycle), possible hair loss or thinning on their scalp, growth of body hair (hirsutism), increases in blood sugar and even high blood pressure. These symptoms are directly related to the increase level of a free testosterone in the blood. Interestingly, since one of the precursors for building testosterone in your body is cholesterol, regular exercise, diets low in cholesterol and carbohydrates and loss of weight may be help in controlling symptoms associated with PCOS including acne.  

Finally some practical advice; AcnEase® may definitely help reduce acne breakouts for women with PCOS.  AcnEase may also reduce the frequency of cysts appearing, reduce the size of cysts making them less painful.  By reducing the severity and number of cysts AcnEase may help prevent skin damage which can lead to the formation of acne scars.   Finally, AcnEase® will NOT interfere with any other medicine or supplement that is taken. Since PCOS is an on-going condition in most cases the recommended regimen is Severe Acne Treatment  and continuous use of AcnEase is recommended until the PCOS symptoms are resolved. 

Acne is acne, right? Yes and no. Some types are more mild, while others require more knowledge and treatment in order to experience relief. One such type of acne is called cystic acne.

What is cystic acne?

This form of acne is the most advanced form of acne and will not go away on its own. In order to treat cystic acne, you must either take preventative measures and take action with a treatment that will work to treat this form of hormonal acne at it’s source. If left untreated, cystic acne can appear in the form of deep, painful cysts, and often results in acne scars which are hard, if not impossible, to eliminate. These pus-filled cysts form below the skin, and often resemble boils. While some opt for ice compresses to reduce swelling, others with severe and frequent cystic acne may opt for painful cortisone injections from a dermatologist. Both of these solutions may work to temporarily reduce swelling, but don’t actually work to address the actual cause of the problem, which is the only real way acne will ever be eliminated. Cystic acne is among the hardest to treat with topical solutions, making a systemic regimen such as AcnEase® a perfect and practical solution for those suffering from cystic acne.

If you have cystic acne, there are some simple, everyday things you can do to help make your symptoms less severe. Check out this quick and easy guide to direct you toward relief, and away from painful, long-lasting symptoms!

Cystic Acne Do’s:

1. Be mindful of what you eat. When it comes to skin, obviously the old adage reigns true: what you put into your body is going to affect what you see on the outside. Inflammation is a natural response by the body in an attempt to protect itself from irritants, and in the case of acne, those irritants appear in the form of a clogged pore. An inflammatory response can result in those bumps that you get on your face.  Therefore, keeping to an anti-inflammatory diet for acne is a crucial step in becoming acne-free.
2. Take a deep breath, and keep those stress levels low. Because cystic acne is the result of a hormonal imbalance, taking whatever measures you can to keep your hormone levels from fluctuating will go a long way in keeping acne symptoms at bay, whether that means catching a cat nap, or taking a few deep breaths while you sit in traffic. Stress causes a serious increase in inflammatory chemicals at a cellular level, and since acne is one form of an inflammatory disease, stress will worsen acne, sometimes quite dramatically. In order for our bodies to deal with stress, several special hormones are produced to help mediate this process. Some of the most important are cortisol, and other hormones released by the adrenal glands that can act as androgens, which can over-stimulate the sebaceous glands. Androgens and fluctuating hormone levels will trigger these glands to produce more skin oil, which in turn clogs the pores, potentially leading to more acne!
3. Slough away dead skin cells. It’s not just excess sebum that clogs pores and causes acne. Dead skin cells pair with the sticky, oily substance to form bacteria deep within the pore, so eliminating that half of the problem will give you a good chance at remaining acne-free. Because cystic acne is often painful and far too sensitive to handle rough, abrasive exfoliants, gently sloughing away dead skin cells with a natural paste made of baking soda and water can make for a great solution for anyone with this type of acne. Not only does it help treat existing acne, it goes a long way in polishing the skin around any acne scars that may be left behind from previous breakouts.

Cystic Acne Don’ts:

1. Don’t further contaminate! While acne is the result of a hormonal issue that must be treated at its source, taking measures to keep the surface of your skin clean will go a long way in preventing breakouts. Getting into the habit of keeping those fingers and hands off the face will help prevent bacteria from settling on the complexion.  Changing out those bath towels, hand towels, and pillowcases every week can result in measurable improvements in the texture and appearance of your skin too. Resisting the urge to pick or pop will also help prevent the spread of contamination, as the contents of that blemish you’re extracting can spread into surrounding pores, possibly leading to more acne!
2. Whether you forget to apply sunscreen, forget to stay hydrated or over-treat your skin with drying, alcohol-based cleansers and toners, when we zap our skin of moisture, the body signals the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum in order to properly hydrate the skin. Treating your acne to a sunburn or an extra washing can actually be a counterproductive move, as more sebum often leads to more acne! Stick to the shade, drink plenty of water, and don’t forget to moisturize! Your skin will thank you! (**A note to AcnEase users: your treatment is already working to ensure that the sebaceous glands are working to produce only the necessary amount of sebum to properly hydrate your skin.)

Cystic acne may come with some slightly different symptoms than other
types of acne, but like all forms, the only real way to treat acne is to
address the problem at the source, which AcnEase does in order to
reveal true results. Using safe and effective, all-natural ingredients, AcnEase
works to create a buffer between the hormones and the sebaceous glands to
eliminate acne before it starts! When combined with any of the above-mentioned
tips, you can rest assured that you are giving your skin it’s best shot
possible at remaining free of cystic acne, and other acne vulgaris symptoms!

We want to hear from you! Do you have cystic acne? What do, or don’t you do, to help treat your condition? Tell us in the comments! 

Acne pimples start to develop in pores that become clogged with excess sebum (skin oil) made by the sebaceous glands.  As the pores become clogged with the excess skin oil they also trap dead skins cells that normally rise to the surface of the skin to be sloughed off.   

Propionibacterium acnes is a tiny microbe that lives in the oily region of the skin's pores. These bacteria can aggravate an immune response which causes red, swollen bumps to develop on the skin (acne). With excess sebum, dead skin cells and some dirt, this bacteria also gets trapped in the pores and as the body attempts to kill them using its immune system; you get a local inflammatory response due to cytokines, chemokines and white blood cells entering the area.

Normally the pore is “walled off” by the cells in the lower layers of the skin but in the case of cysts, this inflammation spreads under the top layer of the skin.  This influx of cells and proteins causes swelling (bumps under the skin) and can be very harmful to the skin.  If you try to squeeze these bumps, you induce more skin damage, which recruits more immune cells into the area and starts a vicious cycle that ends up damaging skin and leaving scars.  As a result, treatment of cystic acne is more difficult and will take longer. It is especially important that cystic acne is not “popped” as this may only spread the bacteria, cause additional (and sometimes really serious) inflammation and lead to deep skin damage that may result in acne scars.

Doctor approved and clinically proven AcnEase®, all herbal, novel treatment for acne, has shown to be very effective in cases of cystic acne since it contains ingredients that both break the cycle of acne and also work as moderate anti-bacteria and anti-inflammatory agents.  Nevertheless, in case of cystic acne, even AcnEase needs to be used longer than if you are someone who suffers from a non-inflammatory type of acne.

For cystic acne, we recommend the severe acne regimen, and we strongly encourage our users to stick to the regimen without exceptions or missing doses.

You also need to make certain you do not further clog pores with topical agents nor apply agents which irritate your skin further causing over drying that will produce more dead skin cells and therefore an aggravating inflammatory reaction. 

Finally – as cysts take the longest time to treat, you may need to be patient and stick to the regimen for more than the minimum recommendation of one month.  AcnEase® will prevent more sebum from forming, but your body needs to heal the damaged tissue.  By preventing more pimples from forming with AcnEase®, you can achieve this goal.