Dr. Ashish Shetty defines nodulocystic acne as a severe variant of acne vulgaris characterized by painful nodules and cysts, often causing significant scarring and psychological distress. He first outlines the standard treatments for this condition, which include topical and oral retinoids, antibiotics, and hormonal therapies.
The discussion then focuses on patients with refractory nodulocystic acne—those who do not respond adequately to these traditional regimens. To address these difficult cases, the episode introduces several emerging therapeutic options, most prominently biologics such as adalimumab and canakinumab, which target specific inflammatory components like TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta. Other innovative techniques mentioned for reducing inflammation and promoting healing include photodynamic therapy, PRP, and microneedling.
