What's New in Acne Treatment and Cyst Treatment from a Memphis Dermatologist

George Woodbury
Jun 1
4 min read

by George R. Woodbury Jr. M.D. (06/01/2025)

Cordova Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury counseling a patient about Cyst Treatment — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury counsels a patient about Cyst Treatment and Acne

If you or a family member has a new nodule in your skin, now’s a great time to get the lesion diagnosed by a Board-certified Dermatologist. This nodule could be a Cyst, the result of a skin infection, or it could be a type of Skin Cancer called Basal Cell Carcinoma. Dermatologists like myself often can manage a new skin nodule by inspection or by doing a Skin Surgery wherein the lesion is removed surgtically. So let's take at what’s new in Cyst Treatment, my perspective being that of a Memphis Dermatologist, with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, since 1993.

A Cyst can also be called a Sebaceous Cyst or an Epidermal Inclusion Cyst — Cyst on a patient's back

So what is a Cyst?

A Cyst in the skin, sometimes called a Sebaceous Cyst or a Pilar Cyst, often develops after a gland in the skin becomes infected. Then the body either expels that infected gland to the skin surface, causing an abscess or boil, or else contains the infection, building up a type of cyst sack around it. The result is a skin nodule.

An Epidermal Cyst is also called a Sebaceous Cyst — Epidermal Cyst on a patient's back

The problem is that a cyst sack is at risk of leakage or rupture if it gets traumatized, leading to an active skin infection, a type of skin emergency. If a cyst is actively infected, Dermatologists like myself often do a procedure called an incision and drainage, putting a shot into the cyst, then making a cut into it, allowing the pus to drain.

A cyst often needs to be evaluated by the laboratory as there is a condition called Cystic Basal Cell Carcinoma that can mimic a Cyst — Dermatologist examining a cyst

It’s ideal later to get the cyst sack removed, with a cyst excision: the cyst is numbed up or anesthetized, with a local shot, then cut out, the site frequently being closed with stiches.

This excision procedure leaves a scar, and sometimes even a raised scar called a Keloid, so we Dermatologists advise the patient whether it’s best to completely remove the cyst with stitches. The advantage is that the lesion can be sent off to the Dermatopathology Laboratory to be checked for Skin Cancer, because the lesion might actually be a cystic Basal Cell Skin Carcinoma or even a Melanoma. If a scar or Keloid results from the excision, we can treat the site later with steroid injections to reduce the scar.

Acne Treatment often involves oral antibiotics and Retinoids or oral and topical Vitamin A medicines — Acne Before and Acne After photos

Cysts are often related to underlying Acne, which is due to clogging or occlusion of the opening of hair follicles to the skin surface, creating blackheads and whiteheads, and even papules (pimples). The good news is that there are now many new promising treatments for Acne, including new topical (meaning for use on top of the skin) Vitamin A or Retinoid products – including Aklief® (Trifarotene), Winlevi ® (Clascoterone Gel), and a new oral antibiotic – Seysara® (Sarecycline) – complementing existing oral antibiotics, topical antibiotics, Retin A® or Tretinoin Cream and Gel – and Azelex® and even oral Accutane® (Isotretinoin) and Spironolactone.

Acne and Cysts can often overlap so that one patient may have both — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury with an Acne patient

A best first move is a consultation with a Board-certified Dermatologist for a skin check-up, an especially high priority for people with skin lesions that could be cancerous. Check out “Understanding the Melanoma Crisis: Scarlet’s Story,’ a 2018 movie sponsored by my Dermatology practice on Youtube.

Acne affects pre-teens, teens, and even people up to their sixties, seventies, and beyond — Couple enjoying Acne-free skin

My own Cordova Dermatology practice is with Rheumatology and Dermatology (www.Rheumderm.com), in Memphis, TN, near Germantown, Bartlett, and Arlington (8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova TN 38018 1-901-753-0168). Or you could find a Board-certified Dermatologist close to you, or a “Best Dermatologist Near Me” or “Best Dermatologists Near Me” by going to the American Academy of Dermatology’s “Find a Dermatologist” site (AAD.org). Plug in your zip code, and you’ll be able to find a list of Dermatologists near you.

Big River Silk Skincare's emblem produdt is Glycolic Acid-cotaining GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion - an Exfoliation agent — Cordova Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury with Big River Silk Skincare staff

And if you have oily or combination skin and complexion issues, a company of which I am President – Big River Silk Skincare – manufactures and distributes a helpful cleanser – AmberSoy™ Soap Gel – which can be used as a type of skin mask, for 3-5 minutes prior to washing off - or even as an Acne Wash (www.Bigriversilkskincare.com). We also manufacture anti-wrinkle cream with Glycolic Acid, an Alpha Hydroxy Acid, GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion and GlycoShea Hand&Body Lotion, which which can be used as an exfoliating moisturizer or exfoliation agent by people who wish to promote clear skin.

The active Antiwrinkle Cream agent in GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion is Glycolic Acid Exfoliation agent — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury with Glycolic Acid GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion

The products of Big River Silk Skincare can be purchased on site at 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova TN 38018 – Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM – or on the web: https://www.Bigriversilkskincare.com. USPS shipping and handling for U.S. orders is $7.50 for orders under $75.00, otherwise complimentary shipping and handling.

Thanks for your awareness!