WHAT TO DO….
Hi Keesha
I am an medical esthetician and I run a skin care clinic where we treat this
type of acne pretty frequently. From your describtion it sounds like grade 3-4
cystic acne and the location on your face indicates it is hormonally related.
Topical treatments do not help much- this type is best off with oral therapy and
cortisone injections right into the cysts. Having them injected is very
important as they can leave permanent holes and scars in the skin the longer
they sit around. Injections clear them up within 48 hours. Antibiotics are
pretty wothless as well but low dose birth control pills like Allesse seem to
work, or if your more inclined, herbal balancers. Either way, the first thing
would be to have a hormone profile done (saliva test) to measure estradiol,
projesterone, DHEA and testosterone ratios. This will tell you exactly where the
imbalance is and what type of hormonal therapy you can use to get on track.
Last but not least you can try Accutane which has a 80% clear rate. It is toxic
to the liver, requires weekly liver enzyme testing, can cause night blindness
and birth defects (you must sign a waiver promising to use 2 forms of birth
control while on the medication and for 1 month afterwards) It is a drastic
medication that I do not recommmend unless all other therapies have failed.
Please follow up with your physician and if you need any other help, write me
back!
Isake Lockett PME
www.surfaceinc.com