Acne vulgaris & cystic acne treatments in Malaysia

Whether you call them zits, blemishes, spots or pimples – all these names describe a common, often uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing skin condition known as acne. Acne can appear during childhood or adulthood. It can show up anywhere on the body, but it usually appears on the face, neck, shoulders, upper back and chest.

Acne affects the skin’s sebaceous (oil) glands, which can become clogged, forming red spots, comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) or deep papules, pustules, nodules or cysts. The most severe form of acne, which usually requires medical treatment, is cystic acne.

Fortunately, there are a variety of topical, oral, procedural and cosmetic treatment options to help get rid of cystic acne and acne so you can get back to looking and feeling your best.

Treatment options for acne

There are a variety of treatment options for acne, with different treatments working better for different skin types. Your doctor will advise beginning with a skin care regimen that includes thorough, gentle cleansing at least twice a day to remove excess oil and bacteria. The goal of any acne treatment is to minimize scarring, reduce your acne, improve your skin’s appearance and help you feel your best.

Topical acne treatments

The following are applied directly to the skin:

Antimicrobials such as benzoyl peroxide and topical antibiotics
Retinoid medications
Azelaic acid
Salicylic acid
Sodium sulfacetamide

Oral acne medications

These are taken by mouth and used mainly for cystic acne treatment:

Antibiotics
Diuretics : Used only in adult women for cystic acne treatment. Targets hormones that can contribute to acne.
Retinoic Acid: Used only for severe acne that doesn’t respond to other treatments (formerly known as brand name Accutane).

Medical procedures for acne vulgaris & cystic acne

If topical or oral medications aren’t effective at clearing acne, or if you have scarring as a result of past breakouts, several medical aesthetic procedures may help you achieve smoother skin. All of these procedures should be done by an experienced doctor.

Cortisone shot acne injection

Corticosteroid injections are often a quick way to eliminate large, painful cystic acne that are deeply rooted in the pore. A doctor injects a steroid solution into the cystic acne, targeting the source of the clogged pore. He or she may inject medication into more than one blemish during an appointment. Steroid injections can be effective almost immediately.

Chemical peels acne treatments

Chemical peels acne treatment are performed in medical aesthetic clinic to help diminish and prevent acne cysts and nodules. It’s best to use a strong SPF sunscreen afterward to prevent damage to the newly exposed and very tender skin layers.

Salicylic acid peel: This liquid treatment is applied to the skin to remove or exfoliate the surface layers of the skin. Salicylic acid breaks the bonds that hold the skin’s cells together, causing them to shed away or peel. It also helps unclog pores and reduce the amount of oil on the skin.
Pyruvic acid peel: This liquid treatment is applied to the skin to remove dead and damaged skin cells. It also improves skin brightness, fades discolored areas and reduces excess oil in the skin.
Photodynamic therapy: After applying a topical photosensitizer, a medical light source is focused on the skin to activate it. Combined with the photosensitizer and the presence of oxygen, the light helps destroy acne cysts, nodules and bacteria. This treatment also reduces the size and activity of oil-producing glands on the skin.

Laser and energy-based acne treatments

These acne treatments help minimize scars left behind by severe cystic acne breakouts.

Dermabrasion: This procedure removes acne scars and gives skin a smoother look. During the process, your provider uses a special surgical scraping tool to remove the layers of skin that cover the collagen layer.
CO2 Laser resurfacing: This procedure uses a wand-like laser instrument to remove the upper layers of skin from acne scarring. It is sometimes referred to as laser peeling because it removes old skin cells in order to reveal new, more youthful-looking cells.
Radiofrequency resurfacing: The treatment uses tiny pins that safely deliver energy through the skin’s surface. This creates tiny wounds that initiate a natural healing process and accelerate the formation of new, healthy tissue. The result is an improved skin tone and texture and smoothing of acne scars.

Extraction acne treatments

Extraction is the removal or “popping” of a blemish. It might be tempting to squeeze, pop, or scratch away blemishes yourself, but an aesthetic therapist is much more experienced at doing this safely. He or she uses a sterilized instrument to extract a blemish and protect your face from scarring. Your doctor may recommend extraction of one or more blemishes before you start a long-term medication treatment.