Treating Cystic Acne

Acne patients inflicted with nodules and cysts are often treated by a dermatologist.  Some medical methods and approaches are actually there that can help these doctors in treating cystic acne.  And, almost all of these methods have scientifically proven effects, although some are less potent than the others.

One of the common methods used for treating cystic acne is dermabrasion.   Treating cystic acne with this form of treatment actually involves the idea of physically scarping off the top layer of the skin with the use of a brush or similar equipment.  However, certain reports have noted that treating cystic acne with this method may result to certain minor injuries to the skin which actually results from the procedure.  For this fact, it is usually advised that cystic acne patients who undergo dermabrasion must take time off from work or school for early recovery.

Outside from dermabrasion, there came a new variation from its procedure, now known as microdermabrasion.   As opposed to dermabrasion, this method for treating cystic acne is much less an invasive approach.  Treating cystic acne with this approach actually involves mechanically removing a very thin layer of skin employing fine grains of sand-like material.  It is somehow interesting to know that since this method of treating cystic acne abrades the skin only slightly, there is then no time off required.  And, in relation to this, there is the laser resurfacing which mainly used a highly concentrating light beam for treating cystic acne by burning off the skin cells.

Aside from such approaches, treating cystic acne can also be done with the use of acid peels that are capable of chemically dissolving and removing the scar tissue caused by cystic acne.  Perhaps the downside of this method for treating cystic acne is the fact that it may promotes reddening and considerable discomfort, and it usually takes about a week for the skin to heal after these treatments.  

Collagen injections are but another way for treating cystic acne.  This method can be applied to lessen the appearance of the acne scars that when it is injected to the affected area, it raises the scar to the level of the surrounding skin, therefore restoring a normal appearance.  On the downside of this method for treating cystic acne, the treatment may have to be repeated occasionally as collagen gradually breaks down over time.

Finally, there is a new breakthrough in the field of medicine and that is the introduction of cultured autlogous fibroblasts, which are living cells that the dermatologist injects under the cystic acne patient’s skin.  This method is now employed for treating cystic acne as these cells build up under the scar, causing the scar to rise up to the surface of the skin.  This is even noted for having a long term effect.