There are many different forms of acne ranging from mild to severe, it is important to understand what form of acne you have in order to treat it properly. Acne is initiated when excess oil and dead skin cells combine to plug the pore of a hair follicle; behind the plugged pore, bacteria grow and multiply, triggering inflammation and swelling. Acne can range in severity in conjunction with external factors and hormones. Acne Vulgaris is the most common form of acne. Mild to moderate Acne Vulgaris consists of blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules. While severe Acne Vulgaris is characterized by mild to moderate Acne Vulgaris along with nodules and cysts.
Acne Vulgaris (mild to moderate) includes blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules.
Blackheads are pores clogged with debris such as oil, dirt and dead skin, the black color is due to the bacteria being exposed to the air.
Blackheads are opened lesions and can be cleared by an esthetician or dermatologist. To treat and prevent blackheads cleanse the skin properly and use a facial exfoliate to clear dead skin cells off the surface of the skin. Dead cleansing masks like ash or clay masks may be used to extract surface blackheads form the pore.
When a pore is completely blocked, with trapped sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, it will cause a white appearance on the surface resulting in what is known as whitehead. These types of lesions should not be extracted and usually clear rather quickly. Whites can be avoided by controlling surface oils and using a cleansing product that contains benzyl peroxide or salicylic acid. These act as antiseptics under the skin, killing bacteria.
Papules are inflamed, red, tender bumps with no head. Papules are caused by debris mostly dead skin cells being trapped in the follicle or pore. The most common way to treat and prevent papules is to exfoliate regularly. Do not try to extract papules as they may become infected and worsen. Instead be patient and exfoliate regularly, and much like whites use a cleanser with benzyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
Pustules can be confused with whiteheads; however pustules are inflamed pores that contain bacteria. These lesions can be very sore and the
bacteria are considered a strain of staphylococcus, and thus can spread on your skin rapidly. This is why it is important to only allow a dermatologist to extract pustules. Cleansers and acne treatments with a form of antiseptic is best on these types of lesion. Exfoliation should be mild and gentle and an anti-inflammatory can be taken to decrease pain and redness.
Severe Acne Vulgaris is distinguished by the above lesions along with nodules and cysts.
Nodules and Cystic acne look very similar; both are large and painful and are inflamed clogged pores or multiple areas that contain bacteria. Nodules and Cysts rarely come to the surface and can take months to clear. These types of lesions are usually hormonal and caused by bacteria under the skin. These lesions should be monitored closely by a dermatologist and extracted by a doctor, however scaring is likely, so it is best to consult a dermatologist and let the nodule or cysts run its course.
