Cystic Acne

By: Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH

Acne is a very common skin condition that is characterized by raised red blemishes, open and closed comedones (pimples), cysts, and other lesions. Over 85% of adolescents suffer from acne as a result of hormonal shifts during puberty that stimulate excess skin oil production. Acne can also strike adults or carry over into the adult years. Acne ranges from mild to severe in disfiguring. Cystic acne is one of the most severe types.

What Is A Cyst?

A cyst is a closed sac-like pocket of tissue that can form anywhere in the body. Cysts are typically filled with a substance such as air, fluid, or pus. For example, cysts found in the lungs are usually filled with air, while those located in the kidneys are often filled with fluid. Cysts on the skin are quite common. These are the types associated with cystic acne, and they are generally filled with pus (white blood cells, dead skin cells, bacteria, and other skin debris).

What Is Cystic Acne?

Cystic acne exhibits the worst type of acne blemishes. When a pimple or pustule bursts into the surrounding skin, the immune system often responds by generating pus. This results in the formation of large, painful lesions known as nodules. In time, many nodules will harden and turn into cysts deep within the skin. Nodules and cysts can often lead to acne scarring.

Cysts may be similar in appearance to nodules, but cysts are officially defined as being pus-filled and at least 5mm in diameter. Squeezing or popping an acne cyst is a sure way to spread infection deeper into the skin, and to increase the risk for scars. Picking at acne blemishes is the worst thing you can do, and it never helps.

Can Cystic Acne Scars Be Diminished?

There are several treatment options that can be used to effectively improve the appearance of scarring due to cystic acne.

Dermabrasion: This procedure involves the abrasive "sloughing off" of the outermost layers of skin around blemishes. It can be a quite messy procedure, as your dermatologist will use a motorized tool to abrade the skin. Dermabrasion is quite effective at reducing the visibility of acne scars.

Buffing: Buffing is a gentler form of dermabrasion that does not involve a motorized tool, but instead is done manually. The dermatologist will gently "sand" affected areas using a sterilized, abrasive cloth. Buffing is much easier to control than standard dermabrasion, and it can be more readily focused. Buffing can also significantly improve acne scarring.

Laser Treatments: This is the latest technology in dealing with acne blemishes and scars. It can produce dramatic effects when it comes to the ugly scars left by cystic acne. Laser treatments are often used in conjunction with other options such as buffing or dermabrasion.

Punch Excision: Surgical techniques such as punch excision and punch grafts are sometimes utilized to deal with acne scarring. These procedures use a special tool called a "punch" that is designed to remove scar tissue and encourage healing and regeneration of healthy skin.

About the Author

Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH is a Doctor of Naturopath, Clinical Nutritionist, Holistic Health Practitioner and Clinical Herbalist in Houston, TX and Founder / CEO of Oasis Advanced Wellness. Under her leadership, Oasis Advanced Wellness is known and respected as one of the leading companies in providing safe and clean hi-tech natural health and wellness solutions. Because of the need for high-end natural and organic skin care products, Dr. Lanphier has developed Lanique Organics, an all-natural skin-care line which promotes natural health for the skin. All Lanique and OAW developed products are free of toxic ingredients, excipients and preservatives and are certified organic, organic, wild crafted or of the highest purity and quality that we can obtain while still providing the utmost degree of active ingredients. All product batches are laboratory tested to ensure that you are getting exactly what the label states. We will never knowingly compromise health in order to provide a cheaper product or to get a product out quickly. Lanphier is Editor and contributor to the worldwide Free E-newsletter Advanced Health & Wellness. We invite you to visit us at Oasis Advanced Wellness, the PMS-Progesterone-Menopause Resource Center, the Acne Resource Center, the Skin Care Resource Center, the Glyconutrient Resource Center, the Allergy-Asthma-Sinus Relief Resource Center and www.oasisserene.com