Skin Care

"How I Cured My Cystic Acne"

What do you do when you've been struggling with cystic acne for years? You find a way to make it go away. Read on to see how one reader finally figured out a cure

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My First Appointment: "Claire, you're lazy." When Shamban sees my face, the doc is brutally honest. "You only use a cleanser? You're being lazy with your skin." OK. She didn't say those words exactly, but that's what she was intimating. I can feel my face turning red -- which probably makes my acne look even worse. And I'm fighting back some tears. I feel like an ugly, hormonal teenager again. What's wrong with me? Why am I still dealing with this problem? But she's right. By only using cleanser, I have been lazy with my skin.

Shamban tells me that my acne is primarily hormonal. It's "red and active" with indented scars beneath the fresh acne. Usually oral acne medication combined with birth control helps keep hormonal acne under control, Shamban says. But when I tell her I've already tried that combo and hate the idea of needing an Rx, the doctor puts me on an extensive four-step treatment plan, which includes everything from topical creams to laser treatments.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Phase 1: Oral + Topical = Acne-Be-Gone

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Older comments

Very useful information, Thanks for sharing this article this has been a major disease affecting personal life

by fakargian Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 02:02AM Report as inappropriate

"I have terrible cystic acne but I don't want to take prescription medication!" she whines. Puh-leeze! You are given treatment, have access to products other than cleansers, but won't use them. This is a ridiculous article. I cleared my skin with soap, water, alcohol, and a complete dietary adjustment. Zero sugar, starch, breads, oils, fried and processed foods. I eat broccoli, greens (lots of greens), steamed and poached veggies, broiled or canned salmon, tofu, quinoa, brown rice, half a lemon a day over food or in unsweetened green tea, and blueberries. Someone else mentioned the sugar/insulin/hormonal imbalance link. You have to take responsibility for your lifestyle, as well as your treatment.

by sandra_lewis Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 02:13AM Report as inappropriate

I can't disagree with much of this. I was almost half expecting some wild remedy. :) When I was younger I had very bad cystic acne. I took tetracycline, minocycline, doxicycline, I used topicals like Retin-A, Cleocin-T, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide. I began using the Citrus Clear products on a regular, daily basis. Also I never touch my hands to my face, and the result has been acne free. NOt even an occasional pimple.

by melissa_locks Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 03:33PM Report as inappropriate

I am so glad that I have never suffered from acne like this; what a difference in the end, but also what an ordeal!

by GigiSD Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 08:27PM Report as inappropriate

very helpful!!

by rna Sunday, March 17, 2013 at 03:45PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks to Doxycycline, I am now acne free!

by EricaC123 Friday, February 22, 2013 at 03:35AM Report as inappropriate

I suffer from acne and I found this article extremely helpful. Thanks

by Misselizabeth Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 07:37PM Report as inappropriate

Adult acne is tough to clear, women or man it is tough. I am wondering if she stayed with her treatments long enough for them to help. Hormonal acne is the toughest, and findin the right balance for the hormones is a hit and miss process.

by duncan101 Monday, December 24, 2012 at 04:56PM Report as inappropriate

Good for her. I just started suffering from acne (weird) but i think i'll try a different approach.

by nicky22 Monday, December 24, 2012 at 12:03PM Report as inappropriate

good for her( :

by aishak55 Sunday, December 23, 2012 at 06:28PM Report as inappropriate