Acne

Acne is a terrible consequence of dead cells and dirt clogging up the pores on the skin. For the clogged pores to breathe, they must pop out of the skin, forming scornful red bumps on an otherwise beautiful skin. Worry no more as we bring some of the best acne treatment suggestions from renowned experts in the beauty industry to make you live acne-free. Scroll down to read all sorts of articles on acne and help you get rid of them.

What causes acne?

The main cause of acne is clogged skin pores. Due to dirt, debris, excess sebum release or bacteria, the pores of the skin get clogged. These trigger acne formation where they may either cause inflammation or they can be non-inflammatory. The problem with sebum release from the sebaceous gland and improper skincare regime can lead to acne. Here are the primary causes of acne:

• Accumulation of dirt and bacteria on the skin
• Poor skin hygiene and skincare practices
• Bacteria buildup in the pores
• Accumulation of dead skin cells 

Types of Acne

Acne is pronounced as one issue but it has several subsets. There are different types of acne from mild to severe. Some may require you to visit a dermatologist for relief. Let us talk about all the types of acne here.

Non-inflammatory acne

Basically, these include blackheads and whiteheads. Yes, these two are often regarded as separate but these are actually a type of acne and therefore placed in the category- non-inflammatory acne. This is because these do not swell or cause skin inflammation like typical acne. You can easily get rid of them through OTC treatments and beauty products. Skin exfoliators like scrub and tools like blackhead remover can help in getting rid of these. Also, salicylic acid is one compound that is proven effective in removing blackheads and whiteheads. One should regularly exfoliate their skin to get rid of the dead skin cells that later from these non-inflammatory acne.

Blackheads- These are caused when the skin pores get clogged due to the accumulation of dirt, debris and dead skin cells. These look black as despite being clogged, the pores remain open and result in blackening. 

Whiteheads- These are also formed due to pore-clogging by dirt, dead cells and sebum. Why they are different from blackheads is because they are closed. And so they are also referred to as closed comedones. Whiteheads are difficult to get rid of when compared to blackheads due to closed pores. You can get OTC medications that are effective against comedonal acne. If you have whiteheads in access, you may consult a dermatologist.

Inflammatory acne

Inflammatory acne is what people relate to pimples. These are swollen red acne that causes bumps on the skin. Along with dead skin cells and sebum, bacteria buildup also occurs that causes clogging and inflammation. These can lead to an infection that may cause painful acne. Also, they are not easy to be removed and may take days and weeks to go away completely. These can cause acute pain that may require dermatological treatment. You should never pop these inflammatory acne as they can aggravate the acne that may spread to the nearby skin. Applying antibiotic gels and other topical solutions can help combat these inflammatory acne. The two types of inflammatory acne are explained below.

Papules- These are when the pores are clogged and the acne are soft to touch. If you see the skin around the acne look pink, these are papules that is caused when pores break down out of inflammation.

Pustules- These are also formed due to wall breakdown but the difference in pustules is that it is filled with pus. These are general pimples that breakout often and are yellow, red in colour.

Nodules- Nodules are caused by severe bacterial infection where bacteria trigger breakouts and affect the skin deeply. This caused clogged and swollen pores that usually grow in size and are extremely irritating & painful. These cannot be treated with over-the-counter medicines. They need proper dermatological treatment to be cleared. The oral medicine course for nodules may continue for weeks or months depending upon the size and severity.

Cysts

These are the worst type of acne that is caused due to various conditions. When the skin pores become clogged due to sebum, bacteria and dead skin cells, they can become severe. Cysts are deeper than nodules and therefore are very tender and critical. Cysts are characterised by white or red bumps that are highly painful when you touch them. These are mostly caused due to a skin infection. Also, cysts may leave behind scars. These can only be treated with dermatological intervention. Doctor may prescribe oral medication for faster healing. You may need to also apply an anti-scarring cream to prevent scars. If cysts don’t recover with medicines, a dermatologist may conduct a surgical process to remove a cyst.

Hormonal Acne

These are the ones that are related to hormonal fluctuations in one’s body. Hormonal acne is mostly caused during puberty. When the girl or boy enters the puberty period, they tend to get a lot of acne. This is a sign of hormonal changes in their body. In some cases, hormonal imbalance can also lead to acne irrespective of age and gender.

Symptoms of Acne

How to identify if you have acne? Most people are confused with pimples and acne. While these are more prominent on the face, acne can occur anywhere on the body including chest, back, neck and even shoulders. While pimples are mostly pus-filled, acne are of several types and therefore, the symptoms differ. Take a look at how to find the type of acne by looking at the symptoms:

• The most prominent symptom of acne is a pimple.
• Blackheads and whiteheads are also a symptoms of non-inflammatory acne.
• Papules are inflammatory acne with a red small and raised bump
• Pustules are comparatively smaller than papules but they have pus inside them
• Nodules are solid acne with redness around the skin but they are painful to touch
• Cysts are larger and deeper than nodules forming lumps above and beneath the skin’s surface. They are large, red and painful.

Who can get acne?

A lot of people do not know why they have acne. Here are the risk factors for acne:

• Hormonal fluctuations
• Poor skin care
• Taking medications
• Consuming high carbohydrates and sugary foods
• Parents have/had acne or hereditary acne
• Exposure to dirt
• Use of chemicals on the skin that causes oil imbalance

How to treat acne?

Acne can be treated at home as well as through medical care. Blackheads, whiteheads and small pimples can be taken care of through at-home remedies but nodules and cysts may need dermatological care. Following are the measures that you can take to control and treat acne:

• Do not touch your face when you have acne as it can aggravate them
• Do not pop the pimple abruptly as it can spread bacteria
• Clean your face with antibacterial skincare products to remove dirt and excess oil
• Use non-comedogenic products if you have severe acne
• Use oil-free products and cleanse your face twice a day
• Improve your diet and consume only healthy foods
• Consult a dermatologist to get rid of severe acne