PCOS and Skin Conditions 101: Cystic Acne and Dark Patches
Hey Cyster!
As you know, our skin is an organ that happily announces whatever skin condition you may be experiencing to everyone else without seeking your permission. Urgh!
Anyway, for the next two weeks, we would be talking about the skin conditions you might be susceptible to when living with PCOS and how to treat them.
This week, let’s talk about Cystic Acne and Dark Patches (acanthosis nigricans)
Acne is that spot on your face that isn't a pimple but is just as discomforting as a pimple. But as a Cyster, that spot on your face might not be the normal acne you know of. Also, especially in this part of the world, dark patches are generally associated with inadequate care of the skin, however, this might also not be the case- especially if you’re someone living with PCOS.
So let’s examine acne and dark patches from a Cyster's perspective.
What is Cystic Acne?
It is a type of acne that is more severe and more prominent than normal acne. Keep in mind that acne is a skin condition that happens when the hair follicles are filled with oil or dead skin cells, hence giving bacteria entry into the skin which in turn causes inflammation. They are usually found on the face (particularly the chin), neck, chest and back.
Cystic acne is probably the most annoying type of acne with clusters in the same location and causes pain when pressed.
How do you know it is Cystic Acne?
Like most conditions, early diagnosis and care are the best way to get rid of cystic acne so how do you identify it?
In order not to be mistaken for regular pimples or blackheads, cystic acne (annoyingly) makes sure to target a particular area before moving on to the next. You see a pore here and the next time you check the mirror, you see another. It's usually painful to touch, not to talk of pressing it.
Also, pressure on one pore somehow affects all other pores. Lastly, you just know they aren't the normal acne. Another mistake you shouldn't make is to take the size as a factor to determine what type of acne it is, because cystic acne can be big or small.
Causes?
While some people say it is caused by oil, chocolate and stress, it is actually caused by hormonal changes, hence the connection to PCOS.
The increasing level of androgen coupled with the intake of sugar triggers the occurrence of cystic acne. Also, stressful activities, whether physical or mental, can worsen it. So while stress isn’t the underlying cause, it definitely doesn't reduce it.
How to kick it out?
Normally, to get rid of acne, the way to go is the application of that skincare routine you watched on YouTube but this is not just any acne, it's the boss of them all. So what do you do?
You take a deep breath and identify which region(s) on your body the cystic acne is
You make sure to cut your sugar intake (not to the barest minimum) and sustain a healthy diet.
Depending on your skin type, you get a cleanser containing salicylic acid to help remove the excess oil and dry the dead skin cells.
Get a facial product that has a high concentration or low concentration of benzoyl peroxide depending on your skin type.
Consider using hydrocortisone and antibiotic ointment to tackle inflammation.
Join the no-stress team by accepting your body where it is at and not worrying too much.
Join our Cyster Salon Community to further destress.
Now moving on to that part of your skin that is oftentimes mistaken for poor skin hygiene, dark patches.
What are dark patches?
You must have seen this somewhere as "acanthosis nigricans" and looked away because it seems like jargon, but it basically means dark spots on the skin. They could be on the face, neck, arm, back or chest, just like acne.
What causes dark patches?
Often mistaken as dirt, people tend to unnecessarily scrub their skin and use several cleansing products to make the skin colour align with the normal pigment but that's not needed.
One main cause of dark patches is an underlying health condition, such as PCOS in the body. Also, the intake of some medicines for hormonal treatments brings about side effects such as dark patches. It may also be related to one's insulin level.
How to kick them out?
The solution to this condition lies in the cause. If it's due to a particular medication, you should consider stopping the intake.
On the other hand, if it's a result of hormonal imbalance, balancing your hormones, would thereof clear the skin.
These patches, quite surprisingly, do not reappear upon disappearance so do well to try to determine the root cause, so you can get rid of it permanently.
Cyster sign-out!
Having said all of this, make sure to take proper care of your skin and pay attention to all that is going on with it.
That said, managing PCOS and its symptoms can be overwhelming, so be gentle and patient with yourself and take it one day at a time♥
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