Acne manifests itself in different forms and the level of severity also differs from one form to another. There are mild forms of acne which will appear and disappear on their own without external intervention, there are those which will disappear after use of a few topical medications, and there are those, such as cystic acne breakouts that are very stubborn and can lead to permanent scarring if not handled professionally.

You see cystic acne breakouts are also very painful, no wonder skin experts consider it to be the severest of all types of acne today. They are also stubborn since topical medications are rarely effective. Further, the healing process is so gradual since the condition is always trapped beneath the skin. It is because of its nature of severity that experts always advice seeing a professional dermatologist and limiting the use of topical medication and instead using oral medication so the condition can be treated from the inside out.

One of the most common prescription medications for acne is isotretinoin, an artificial form of Vitamin A taken as a pill. This is the only known prescription medication that takes care of clogged skin pores, excess production of oil, and skin inflammation. In most cases, it takes a single course of therapy i.e. a period of around 20weeks to cure cystic acne permanently. It is not without its side effects though. For one, it has been proven to affect a developing fetus when used by a pregnant mother. Other common side effects of isotretinoin include depression, muscle aches, chest pain, and uncomfortable drying of the eyes and the lips, side effects which can bring about serious health complications in future.

Some doctors recommend the use of oral contraceptives to treat cystic acne in affected females. Alongside the oral contraceptive medication, your doctor may recommend a synthetic steroid that will work as a hormone inhibitor that will stimulate your sebaceous glands. Oral contraceptives work by suppressing the over activity of the sebaceous glands that leads to an over-production of sebum which clogs the skin pores and leads to acne breakouts.

If oral medications are ineffective, your doctor may recommend drainage, a type of acne surgery that helps in draining out the sebum thus unclogging the pores. Ensure the procedure is done by a professional in a hygienic setting. Also, you should avoid picking or squeezing the pimples as the infection could last much longer than it should under normal circumstances, not to mention the fact that it may worsen the condition and lead to swelling and inflammation.

With that being said, regardless of the procedure that your dermatologists recommends is best for your condition, it is upon you to take good care of your skin. Ensure you wash your face at least twice a day, ensure you drink a lot of water so as to keep the skin hydrated at all times throughout the day and more importantly eat the right diet and exercise some more.