We’ve all woken up, slightly panicking at the sight of a pimple suddenly appearing overnight, but thankfully most of these flareups tend to resolve themselves within a couple of days. However, there is one particular breed of acne that can persist for days – even weeks! – and leave behind unwanted marks and scars: cystic acne.
This form of acne tends to be characterised by large, red bumps that are swollen and painful when touched. Also known as nodulocystic acne, this is the most severe form of acne.
It occurs when your pores get clogged with oil and dead skin cells, allowing acne-causing bacteria p. acne to accumulate and multiply, resulting in inflammation that occurs deep within your skin. Unlike your standard pimple, cystic acne doesn’t develop a white head, but rather becomes large, fluid-filled cysts that develop under the surface of the skin.
Given its severity, slathering on over-the-counter acne creams may not have the same effect on cystic acne – and in fact, might make things worse! Over-the-counter acne treatments are generally not designed to penetrate so deeply into the skin, and might leave you with dry, flaky bumps and irritated skin instead.
Rather, cystic acne is best treated with:
Oral Medicine
Medicine prescribed by a medical professional, such as Accutane or antibiotics, can help to reduce inflammation.
Such medicine can help to reduce oil production and reduce the occurrence of acne-causing bacteria, in turn helping to prevent acne breakouts.
Medical-grade topical creams
Topical creams that contain antibiotics can help to kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce inflammation.
Blue Light Therapy
Blue light, at a specific wavelength of 415nm, has been scientifically proven to be effective against acne-causing bacteria. This makes blue light therapy facials great for reducing current cystic acne while preventing future breakouts.
Depending on how your doctor diagnoses your skin condition, he/she may prescribe you a combination of oral medicines, light therapy, and medical grade creams.
What about laser treatments?
While laser treatments, such as carbon laser peels, are great for reducing standard acne breakouts, they’re not so effective when it comes to cystic acne because it doesn’t treat the root cause of the inflammation.
But in the event that the cystic acne leaves behind marks or scars, laser treatments can help reduce the appearance of the scar by encouraging the growth of new skin.
For more information on our cystic acne treatments, call us at +65 6738 4700, email us at enquire@lsaestheticclinic.com, or visit us at Wisma Atria Office Tower, #10-04, along Orchard Road.
We provide honest advice, quality care, and affordable prices.