Cystic Acne

by Dr. Yiannis Neofytou

Cystic Acne… The Most Serious Form of Acne!

You get pimples when the pores of the skin are blocked by sebum and dead keratinocytes. Sometimes bacteria are trapped in the pores, causing inflammation. Cystic acne is an inflammatory type of acne that is most severe and occurs when inflammation penetrates deep into the skin, creating red pus-filled cysts that can cause pain or itching. If a cyst opens, then the bacteria spread to the skin and the cystic acne get worse.

Does Cystic Acne Lead to Acne Scars?

Due to the depth and extent of the inflammation, cystic acne is more likely to cause acne scars. You can reduce the risk of acne scars only if you do not damage the cysts with your fingers (to avoid the risk of spreading the inflammation) and consult a specialist dermatologist in time. In case the cystic acne has already created scars on the skin, the active acne is treated first and then the treatment for the acne scars follows.

How Is Cystic Acne Treated?

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is completely safe, as it combines the application of clean, visible and life-giving light to the skin using a special photosensitizer and oxygen. As cystic acne is one of the most serious forms of acne, the dermatologist may suggest antibiotics or retinoids.Among retinoids, isotretinoin is considered to be the most reliable treatment for almost anyone with severe cystic acne. In fact, it is the only treatment that can lead acne into remission for a very long time.