After people go through their uncomfortable teenage years, they think that they are done a pimples and zits and the embarrassment that accompany them.  But, statistics show 1 out of 4 men and nearly 50% of women deal with skin breakouts, sometimes well into their 50′s.

One of the most challenging type to manage is cystic or nodulocystic acne, a  form of acne vulgaris.  Deep and inflamed lesions can develop all over the body including the face, back, neck,chest and arms. The blemishes themselves can become large; some may measure up to several centimeters across. Although many people use the term “cystic” to describe any type of severely inflamed skin eruptions, it’s not a true description. Cystic acne is a condition that forms pustules beneath the skin. They feels like soft, fluid-filled lumps and are often painful.

Cleansing and Moisturizing

The road to clear skin relies on a basic two step process: The first step is to keep the skin clean.  Cleanse it twice a day: once in the morning and again at night.  Washing the skin removes the dirt, oil, dead skin and bacteria that lead to clogged pores. During the day, keep the skin as dry possible so bacteria does not have the chance to grow. Avoid granulated skin cleansers. They can irritate the skin and make the condition even worse.  Try Aquanil and Cetaphil. Both cleansers are gently on the skin and seem to work well as part of an overal all adult cystic acne treatments

The next step is moisturizing your skin. Look for moisturizers that do not clog pores and made with retinol. There are a number of heavy moisturizers on the market that actually do more harm than good. Retinol hydrates the surface of the skin.

When the skin is properly cleansed and moisturized, the oils do not have a chance to build up and cause the outbreak, which is why it is the first step in adult cystic acne treatment.

Medical Treatments

Severe acne can be difficult to manage. It will take time, so be patient. If the first treatment fails, don’t look faith. It may require several attempts to find the the most effective protocols or combination of treatments that work for you. Some common treatments for adult cystic acne include the prescription of oral antibiotics, use of isotretinoin, surgical removal, birth control pills for women and injections of corticosteroid injected into the lesions to stop the inflammation and reduce the size of the zit.

Whether you try the natural approach or rely on a dermatologist or plastic surgeon, adults who have cystic acne, should start treatment sooner rather than later. Otherwise the infection can get worse. Bacteria spreads under the skin expanding the damage.