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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Total Cost Breakdown I know what you're thinking: How much did this set me back? Clear skin doesn't come cheap, so I'm also including some at-home options if a trip to Shamban's LA office isn't in your near future. Here's the breakdown:

Facial: $50 to $80
At-home option: Give yourself a DIY facial with these at-home recipes. And invest in a Clarisonic Mia Skin Care Cleansing System, $103. It's pricey, but the brush helps reduce pimples and blackheads and minimizes pores.

Peel: $50 to $300
At-home option: Use an at-home chemical peel kit like IQ Natural Complete Glycolic Acid Chemical Facial Peel Kit, $25, or a sulfur mask, like DDF Sulfur Therapeutic Mask, $38. This is a great adjunction to your daily cleansing regimen, says Rodan.

Laser: $500 to $3,000
Unfortunately there isn't a comparable at-home option for laser treatments. If you need this step, Shamban recommends at least three laser treatments, every two to three weeks.

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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