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Different Types Of Acne

WHAT IS ACNE AND HOW IT IS CAUSED

 

We will start by discussing what acne actually is. It is a skin condition that occurs after your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. This blockage causes whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. Acne-prone skin is more seen in teenagers, although it affects people of all age groups. Although, there are numerous reasons that cause acne; clogged pores are most common. Other reasons can be; genetics, hormones, improper skincare, stress, excessive use of dairy, overactive sebaceous glands.

 

We divide acne into 2 main types:

1) Non-Inflammatory acne

 

Non-Inflammatory acne includes blackheads and whiteheads. They usually don’t cause swelling.  The response rate to treatments is relatively receptive. Salicylic acid is often advertised for acne in general but it works best on non-inflammatory acne. Whiteheads and blackheads are types of non-inflammatory acne.

 

 

2) Inflammatory acne

 

Pimples that are red and swollen are referred to as inflammatory acne. Although dead skin cells and sebum contribute to inflammatory acne. In inflammatory acne, bacteria cause deep infection beneath the skin’s surface. Papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts are types of inflammatory acne.

 

 

Following are examples of acne:

Whiteheads

Too much oil, bacteria, dead skin cells, or hormonal changes cause clogged pores and these blockages are the reason behind acne formation. Comedonal acne is the primary stage of acne formation. Instead of inflamed pimples, the appearance of bumps and blackheads is common in this stage. Closed comedones are whiteheads. Normally, they are found at the opening of skin pores. This type of acne can be seen anywhere on the body and it ranges from very mild to quite severe.

Blackheads

Dissimilar to whiteheads, Blackheads appear black on the surface of the skin. They are known as open comedones. In this condition, the head of the pore remains open while the rest of the pore is clogged. Blackheads are a mild type of acne that forms on the face but they can also appear on the back and chest.

Note: Dermatologists highly discourage squeezing out blackheads or whiteheads as they can cause severe scarring.

Papules

Papules are tiny red bumps that form due to blockage of pores with excessive oils and bacteria. The contents of this blocked pore spill out that allow bacteria to escape into the surrounding skin tissue. The bacteria cause an inflamed abrasion. Papules do not enclose pus.

Pustules

Pustules are small types of bulging bumps with a white or red center that has inflamed skin surrounding them. They appear on the chest, face, or back in the form of clusters. Pustules are a result of infected pores but they are also caused due to hormonal changes in the body. They are similar to papules. The only main visible difference is that pustules contain a yellowish fluid known as pus. Squeezing pustules causes the bacteria to spread to other parts of the skin. So it is suggested, don’t pop or squeeze them. Only your doctor can carefully drain pustules.

Nodules

Nodular acne is a severe type of inflammatory acne. It causes large and painful breakouts called acne nodules. Nodules are larger than typical pimples and they affect deeper layers of skin. This type of acne is also known as nodulocystic acne. This acne is the result of a deep infection within the pore.

Cysts

Cystic acne is the most severe form of inflammatory acne. In this condition, oil and dead skin cells build up deep within pores. Cystic acne is large, inflamed, painful, and filled with pus. Cysts are softer than nodules. They often burst, infecting the surrounding skin. Cystic acne can be very difficult and challenging to treat.

 

 

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