A homeopathic remedy for cystic acne usually involves the use of silica, sulphur and pulsatilla as well as other ingredients. These ingredients have proven to be an effective homeopathic treatment for cystic acne.

Each pore has a follicle that contains a single hair and oil gland. The oil gland produces sebum to keep the skin soft and lubricated to ease the removal of  dead skin cells.

There are times when an excess of sebum is produced, causing the pores to be blocked. Once the pores are blocked, debris, dirt and bacteria start collecting.

When a person gets cystic acne, not only are the pores blocked, the acne-causing bacteria present produces an enzyme which breaks down the walls of the follicle. There is an accumulation of pus and dead white blood cells, forming painful and unsightly cysts that may have a diameter of 5 mm or more.

Cystic acne is particularly painful and the common over-the-counter acne treatments are generally ineffective in treating cystic acne. Conventional treatments for cystic acne include the use of antibiotics or Accutane (oral isotretinoin).

The Benefits Of Homeopathic Remedies For Cystic Acne

Homeopathic remedies for cystic acne generally take a longer period of time to show results. However, there are fewer side effects in treating and preventing cystic acne as compared to conventional treatments.

Because of this, more and more people now prefer a homeopathic cystic acne treatment to taking oral antibiotics or Accutane. 

A homeopathic medicine known as pulsatilla and silica is used for those suffering from hormonal acne which is accompanied by puberty. Silica is largely used by patients who have white pustules.

Homeopathic remedies for cystic acne, along with a sensible skin care regimen, are exceptionally effective. However, before you decide on a homeopathic treatment for cystic acne, be sure to consult a qualified homeopath.

Spironolactone in the treatment of acne functions as both an androgen receptor blocker and possibly also an inhibitor of 5 alpha-reductase type 1. In doses of 50 to 100 mg per day, it has been shown to reduce sebum production and improve acne.

Spironolactone may be used for female patients with therapy-resistant acne, although it has not been formally approved for this condition.

In one study looking at spironolactone in the treatment of acne, one third of the patients had complete clearing of their acne. One third showed marked improvement, and nearly one third showed partial improvement, with less than 10% showing no improvement of their acne.

Spironolactone Side Effects

Spironolactone side effects for women are increased at higher doses and include the potential for increased potassium in the blood, a slight lowering of the blood pressure, irregular menstrual periods, breast tenderness and enlargement, headache, and fatigue.

The increased potassium in the blood is rare in healthy young women. Although breast tumors have been reported in rats treated with spironolactone, this drug has been used for years in human and has not been directly linked with the development of cancer in more than 30 years of spironolactone usage.

As spironolactone is an antiandrogen, there is a risk of feminization of a male fetus if a pregnant woman takes this medication. The risk to a fetus and the symptoms of irregular menstrual periods can be improved by combining the treatment with an oral contraceptive.

Spironolactone side effects for acne can be minimized if treatment is started at a low dose of 25 mg per day and increased every few months as needed because the response can take as long as 3 months, as with other hormonal therapies. Once adequate response is attained, dosage can again be lowered to the minimal dose required to maintain adequate results.

There is a wide variety of acne treatments available. To effectively treat your acne, you will need to draw up the best acne treatment plan and follow it closely. Here are tips to help you come up with the best treatment plan for your acne.

How To Draw Up The Best Plan To Treat Acne

1) Consult Your Doctor

Consult your doctor to understand  the type of acne you have, as well as your skin type. Successful acne management is all about what works for you, your skin type and the type of acne you have.

2) Keep Your Expectations Realistic

There are no overnight acne fixes. You will find that even the best acne treatments can take several weks, if not months, or even years to work. Even after your acne has healed, ou may have to carry on with a “maintenance” treatment plan for several years if necessary to prevent another acne breakout. All too often, doctors see people with acne coming back to them simply because they did not continue with their acne medication.

3) Ask Your doctor About The Available Acne Treatment Options

Choosing your treatment is a personal decision based on the advice you get from your doctor. Based on your previous acne treatment and the extent of your acne scarring, your doctor will decide upon the best treatment for your acne. Make sure you discuss it thoroughly beforehand.

Understand the potential benefits the recommended treatment offers, your expectations and any side effects which may occur. You may be asked to fill out questionnaires to help your doctor assess the psychological and social effects that your acne is having on you.

4) Keep A Monitoring Chart

Keep a monitoring chart to keep track of changes in your acne. You may experience new outbreaks before your acne begins to clear. It is therefore important to allow time for your acne treatment to work.

On your chart, write down the treatment you use, and if you miss a treatment or dose. Record the acne cleansers, creams and medication used.

Count the actual number of blackheads, whiteheads and any red bumps you have. Start on one side of your face and finish on the other.  Start in the same place each time. Record the number of acne lesions on your chart.

5) Know When To Change To A New Treatment

Consider changing to a new treatment if you see no improvements after four to six weeks from when you started the treatment. Don’t keep on with a treatment if you find it is irritating your skin or making it sore. If you are using prescription treatment, see your doctor or dermatologist if you want to stop or change treatments.

6) Keep A Food Chart

If you think certain foods are causing your skin to break out, keeping a food chart of all the food you eat and drink in a day may help you to see an emerging pattern. You can then eliminate the acne-causing suspects from your diet.

Making Sure That Your Best Treatment Plan For Acne Works

Generally, most dermatologists agree that the main reason for a poor response to treatment is because the person has not used or taken the treatment every day. Having to apply cream to your skin or use antibiotics every day for months may seem tedious. However, the minute you break the treatment cycle, the bacteria will start to multiply and your skin will break out in spots all over again.

At times when you are under a lot of stress, you may find that your acne treatment is not as effective. During these times, try relaxation or stress management techniques to alleviate your stress. You will find that your acne will start responding well to your treatment again. Watch Rodney Yee’s video below to pick up some really useful relaxation technques to relieve your stress and fatigue.

Very often, the person most likely to support a teenger with acne is the parent. However, if your partner has developed acne due to pregnancy, stress or hormonal activity, he or she will need understanding and support from you.

Learning as much as you can about acne, the types of acne and corresponding treatment is useful. If the person is not using any medication, suggest that he or she consults a doctor as early as possible to seek treatment.

Especially with teenagers, you may need to reinforce the idea that the acne is not a direct result of something the person has done, or is doing, and that he or she has nothing to feel guilty about. Keep a look-out for any signs of depression or anxiety.

What Is Dysmorphophobic Acne?

In rare cases, some people who suffer from mild acne may have a disproportionate view of themselves and think they are suffering from severe acne. This perception affects their body image, and they may suffer from psychological and social symptoms. In the worst case, this is a body image disorder, similar to anorexia nervosa.

If your teen or partner keeps lamenting about having severe acne even though the acne is mild, do not just brush it off as paranoia. Instead, encourage him or her to see a doctor early. Dysmorphophobic acne usually requires medical treatment, and isotretinoin (Accutane) therapy may be prescribed on a low-dose, long-term basis.

Effectively Supporting Someone With Acne 

Teenagers and men in particular, are difficult to monitor, as they can often be reticent, moody and irritable and suffer mood swings. Try to encourage frank discussion of their feelings when they are in a good mood.

Acne is difficult to live with, whether you are a teenager or an adult. However, having someone who supports you and loves you for what your are, and not how you look, is the biggest support you can give and they can have.

There are many myths and misconceptions about acne, the causes of acne and acne treatments. Such misplaced beliefs not only increase feelings of anxiety and guilt in people who have acne, they could also worsen your acne.

The Most Common Myths About Acne, Acne Causes And Treatments

1) Acne is caused by bad hygiene and dirty skin.

This is untrue. Blackheads are the colour they are through oxidation, not dirt.

2) Washing more will help.

In fact, if you use cleansers which are too harsh and apply too much scrubbing to active acne areas, you are likely to irriate your skin and worsen your acne.

However, you do need to make sure you cleanse your skin properly with a gentle cleanser, especially if you have been wearing make-up. Proper cleansing will remove sweat, excess sebum, bacteria and dirt which could trigger your acne.

3) There is no cure for acne.

There are several every effective treatments for acne. Seek treatment early to minimize acne scarring. Waiting and wishing will not make your acne go away.

4) A suntan will improve acne.

Over-exposing your skin to direct sunlight will dry out your skin, increase your wrinkles and age your skin. You may also increase your risk of skin cancer.

5) Covering your acne with makeup will help.

This only helps to make mild acne less conspicuous, and provided you use only non-comedogenic products. Too much makeup on skin with moderate or severe acne may worsen your acne when the pores are clogged.

6) Sex or masturbation causes acne.

Acne is only linked to sex hormones, in particular testosterone.

7) Fatty foods and chocolate cause acne.

Foods high in saturated fat may worsen acne. Reducing or eliminating your intake of sugar and dairy products may help acne. Dark chocolate will not cause acne. In fact, dark chocolate contains flavonoids which benefit your skin.

Only teenagers have acne.

Acne can affect anyone, from babies to adults, regardless of age, race or gender.

9) Acne is a contagious disease.

Acne is not passed from one person to another.

10) Squeezing acne spots and pimples will clear them up.

You may be tempted to dig your nails into your pimples to pop them. But this can lead to scarring, pocks and holes in the skin. It is best to treat the acne with topical or oral medication or treatments.

11) All acne medications are the same.

Acne medication is prescribed based on the patient’s type of acne. Usually, a combination of acne treatments and medications is needed to effectively treat acne.

12) Acne can disappear overnight.

Acne can take weeks, months, and in some cases years to treat. The longer you have had acne, the longer your treatment will take to eradicate the acne. Therefore, seek treatment early. Acne can be effectively treated with medication.

13) Acne is simply a cosmetic condition.

Acne has both psychological and physical implications.

14) Acne appears only on the face.

Acne can appear on other parts of the body too including the back, shoulders, chest, arms, neck and even the scalp. Therefore you should also make sure you clean the skin on the rest of your body well, not just the face.

When you have acne, seek professional help early to avoid falling victim to these acne myths which not only do not help your acne, they can in fact worsen your acne. You can only start treating your acne effectively when you have the right facts and knowledge.

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