Let’s not try to deny it: cystic acne can completely destroy your social life. Having a face full of gross-looking pimples has a huge effect on your self-esteem, and for many sufferers this means going out of their way to avoid social interactions altogether.
And if you’re here, you probably already know that once you’re having a cystic acne breakout, it can take a long time for the swelling and redness to go down – if you ever even get any relief at all.
Thankfully, there are a number of proven effective ways how to prevent cystic acne that have shown huge results for many different skin types. While most of them won’t cure your severe skin issues altogether, these powerful remedies will positively make a difference that you can both see and feel.
Preventing Cystic Acne
Sick and tired of frustrating cystic acne? Here are five proven effective treatments that can help keep your skin looking fresher and clearer for a long time to come:
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT):
Photodynamic Therapy (commonly referred to as PDT) treatments involve applying a photosynthesizing cream to the affected areas and then blasting them repeatedly with an intense blue LED Light. Preliminary research has shown very promising results and experts think that PDT is perhaps the best permanent treatment for cystic acne.
The only problem with Photodynamic Therapy is that it requires multiple trips to the dermatologist over a number of months. But there is evidence which supports that this type of treatment shrinks the oil glands in your skin, reducing the visibility of pores and killing the bacteria which is the main culprit behind what causes cystic acne.
Hormone Therapy:
By and large, the most common cause of cystic acne in women is an overproduction of androgen hormones. For females dealing with severe acne – especially if it becomes worst during their periods – taking hormone treatments can make a huge difference. Birth control pills are the most common types of medications used to treat cystic acne in women, and they’re effective in nearly all cases.
Honey and Nutmeg Treatment:
One of the best ways how to prevent cystic acne naturally is to combine honey and nutmeg to form a topical skin-healing paste. Simply mix one tablespoon of honey with one table of nutmeg, and apply the cystic acne home remedy to your face for 15 minutes, washing it off when done.
For an added boost, sprinkle a teaspoon of cinnamon into the paste – cinnamon’s anti-inflammatory properties can do wonders for swollen skin.
Manuka Honey:
Manuka honey comes from New Zealand, and has been used there to treat skin problems for centuries. Much research over the years has shown that it is helpful in treating cystic acne because of its anti-microbial properties.
A study was recently done in which the researchers compared three different types of honey for the treatment of cystic acne. The results showcased Manuka honey as the definitive leader by a wide margin.
Moroccan Rhassoul Clay:
Rhassoul clay is perfect for treating chronic severe acne. It reduces the amount of oil your pores produce and doesn’t damage the skin unlike many other more invasive treatments. Rhassoul clay can be found in many health food stores and should be blended with a small amount of water to create a pliable mask. If you suffer from extra-oily skin, add 1/4 teaspoon of crushed green tea leaves to the clay. Apply the mask to the affected area of your skin and let it sit for 15-30 minutes before washing it off.
Some Extra Cystic Acne Tips
More often than not, following a strict regimen of regular treatments can have a long-lasting impact in keeping your skin clear. A few of the best practices you should be following include:
- Don’t get overly complex – keep your skin care routine simple and follow it every single day.
- Avoid oil-based treatments and opt for a water soluble cleaner for daily use.
- Use salicylic acid to exfoliate your skin once to twice a day to reduce redness and swelling, but don’t overdo it: salicylic acid can dry out and damage sensitive skin if used too frequently.
- Skip thick moisturizers in areas where you’re prone to cystic pimples. Opt for a lighter, less clogging treatment instead.
- Benzyl peroxide is an effective, easy way to kill the surface bacteria on your skin that can cause cystic acne.
Between a daily routine of proper skin care and utilizing one (or multiple) of the five proven effective treatments how to prevent cystic acne listed above, you can greatly reduce the frequency of your breakouts and enjoy cleaner, more attractive skin without the embarrassing stigma that’s attached to cystic acne.