Cystic Acne - Putting the Best Face on It

Cystic acne treatment is best tackled after a clear understanding of acne and its roots. There are many forms of acne - a skin condition that is often referred to as having pimples or zits. Acne is caused by bacteria that develop in the follicles of your skin, most often your facial skin. Acne can be mild or severe, its discomfort ranging from moderately annoying to scarring, with psychological repercussions.

Cystic acne is acne in its severe form, where the acne has formed cysts that are filled with pus. This cystic acne can scar your skin, especially if you pick at it or squeeze the pus from its cysts.

The best starting point for your cystic acne treatment is a clear skin methodology which is the standard treatment for any type of acne. This regimen is very specific and often results in noted diminishment of acne. This cystic acne treatment requires specific supplies. Benzoyl peroxide is the primary ingredient in this cystic acne treatment, but you must start with a low dose of this in your cystic acne treatment as it can have a harsh effect on your skin and cause redness.

You'll need a good over the counter cleanser for your cystic acne treatment. This cleanser should be gentle and not too drying. You don't want to strip your skin of all its oils. Experts suggest that you never use standard bath soap.

Next on you list of cystic acne treatments is a face moisturizer. This must be used every day to counteract the reddening and drying effect of the benzoyl peroxide part of your cystic acne treatment. The best choice in moisturizer would be a sunscreen that is not comedogenic and also has moisturizing effects. Eucerin Skin Renewal, for example, is terrific at prevent your skin from flaking, although you may not want to use it until you've been treating your cystic acne treatment for two or more weeks. It contains lactic acid and can sting your skin when first used in conjunction with the benzoyl peroxide.

Make a 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide cream or gel part of your cystic acne treatment. If your face is generally quite sensitive you should apply the benzoyl peroxide only once a day for the first couple of weeks of your cystic acne treatment, gradually increasing its use as your skin learns to tolerate it.

Should your skin become crusty or otherwise indicate an allergy to benozyl peroxide (though rare, it does happen) of course you would discontinue its use as part of your cystic acne treatment.)

Don't dispair! You can fight back against cystic acne.

About the Author:
Mark Walters presents acne cures, remedies, treatments and instruction on his web pages at www.acnerescue.com
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Happy To Be Pregnant But Struck Down By Acne

Being pregnant is usually a time when a woman feels her best; the hormones are zipping around the body, the skin looks flushed and healthy, hair looks shiny and thick. People tell you that you look radiant, that you are glowing and that being pregnant suits you. You look in the mirror and you agree.

Unless you get struck by acne, that is. Unfortunately, pregnancy can sometimes cause acne to appear when you've never had it before or make it worse (if you already had it in the first place). This is definitely not the glowing picture of mommmy-to-be that you had in mind, right?
The reason that acne can sometimes get triggered during pregnancy is due to higher levels of androgens (hormones) which boost oil production. So now you have a case of extra sebum (oil) plus the dead skin cells that are always getting shed and bang! You have a situation ripe for clogging pores and encouraging bacteria to breed freely. As a result of this the skin becomes inflamed and acne erupts.

Now, ordinarily, you could seek out antibiotics and medicated skin lotions and potions in an effort to control the acne. But being pregnant means you have to watch what you eat and be careful about substances that you rub into your skin (which are then absorbed into your blood stream). You have to ensure that you are not putting the life of your unborn baby at risk. This makes it difficult for you to tackle your acne attack head on.

Usually acne can be treated through the use of prescription drugs such as Retin-A, Tetracycline and Accutane but these are not recommended to be used by pregnant women for the following reasons:

Retin-A is a cream that is usually applied to the skin. It is also known as tretinoin and is known to cause abnormalities in the devoloping fetus. The danger even though it is applied to the skin is that it will be absorbed into the bloodstream and there is a risk that it could reach the fetus in the womb.

Tetracycline is an antibiotic and should not be taken even if you are intending to become pregnant. It is known to cause damage to the developing teeth and bones of the fetus.

Accutane is a precribed medication that is taken orally; its generic name is isotretinoin. This also causes abnormalities in the developing fetus. Studies have shown that more than a quarter of the infants born to those women who were using Accutane during the first trimester of pregnancy had birth defects. These ranged from heart defects, craniofacial defects and defects relating to the central nervous system. Researchers also found an elevated risk or miscarriage in women taking Accutane whilst pregnant.

However, fear not. It is possible to find safe, effective and proven acne treatments to get you out of your misery. Antibiotic creams that contain clindamycin or erythromycin are perfect to use whilst pregnant.

Even if you can't eradicate your acne completely whilst pregnant, you can still do a number of things that will help keep it in check. Keep your face clean and bacteria free as much as possible. Use a mild gentle soap or cleanser and use an oil-free moisturiser. Don't squeeze or rub your pimples and keep your hands away from your face as much as possible.

If you have severe acne then consult with a doctor or midwife and they may be able to advise you of a safer alternative to antibiotics.

About the Author:
Kimberly Banks is a successful writer and publisher of Acne-Free-Clinic.com. Her website offers advice on acne treatment, acne laser surgery, controlling acne and acne scar removal.
Added: 03 Oct 2006
Article Source: http://articles.simplysearch4it.com/article/38157.html

What Is Cystic Acne And How Can I Prevent Acne Scarring?

If you have been wondering what is cystic acne and if you have it then here is the simple definition. Cystic acne is nothing more then when you develop cysts with your acne. Naturally, these can be very unpleasant and are quite upsetting to the person who experiences them. Cystic acne is when there are puss filled cysts that are 5 mm or greater. As I'm sure you can imagine, they can be very painful and like most other forms of severe acne they can affect the appearance of an individual because they can ultimately lead to acne scarring. This is because the cysts are capable of causing a larger area of infection than the more usual type of acne.

As with many types of acne there are things that you can do to alleviate it a little but if it is too severe or if you want some help then it is always best to go to your doctor, acne specialist or dermatologist. They will be able to tell you what is the most effective treatment for your acne and you will be able to ask them to better describe what is cystic acne and to tell you if you have it.

It is also possible that parts of the acne can heal and not cause any scarring, but getting the right treatment is very important and also using the right products to treat the cysts. They may not respond to treatment if it is not the right type and making the diagnosis can be very important in making sure that you get the right treatment.

If you think that you may have this type of acne then it is a good idea to see your dermatologist. You should not worry about the fact that it may not seem like a severe problem. They are used to people asking them questions like what is cystic acne and do I have it this acne condition and what is the best way to treat it? They know that it can be very upsetting for the sufferers and are usually happy to help.

As scarring can result from cystic acne it is best not to squeeze the cysts to get rid of them. Dermatologists can often help to reduce the swelling and can also recommend the proper treatment in order to help to prevent scarring. So instead of worrying about whether you have cystic acne just see your dermatologist and ask them what is cystic acne and how can you prevent acne scarring from taking place. They will get you the right advice so that you can make the best decision as to what treatment you need.

About the Author:
Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of http://www.clear-skin-solutions.com/
Article Source: ArticleWarehouse