Different Types of Acne and How to Treat Them
Have you ever wondered why your acne keeps coming back or never actually goes away? Acne is surely a frustrating thing to have regardless of age. I used to think that my acne was associated with puberty, but even in my late 20’s I still tend to get breakouts every now and then. Despite being a pretty common skin issue, I completely understand the frustration of having to deal with it. Fortunately, after years of learning about my skin, and trial and error with various products, I’ve been able to gather information about the different types of acne and how to treat them.
In order to better understand acne, we must understand the basic science behind acne formation. Our skin naturally produces sebum, which acts as a lubricant and keeps our skin healthy by keeping it moisturized. However, the excessive production of sebum can clog the pores of the skin, thus causing acne. Proprionibacterum acnes, or P. acnes for short, is bacteria that naturally lives on the surface of the skin. Normally, this isn’t a cause for concern, but for people who have an overproduction of sebum, P. acnes can feed on the excess sebum and cause it to overgrow on the skin surface. When P. acnes multiplies, it can trigger the body’s immune response and cause inflammation.
Why does the skin overproduce sebum? Well, there are several factors that can cause this. Some of which are poor nutrition, lack of sleep, hormones, stress, and so on.
Now moving on to the 3 main types of acne and their treatment options:
- Comedones is an umbrella term for blackheads and whiteheads. Blackheads are closed comedones where the pore appears to be dark in color due to oxidizing of the sebum in the follicle. Whiteheads are closed comedones where the tip of the acne lesion is white due to the puss rising to the surface. Comedones are generally mild and easy to treat.
Treatment options: Exfoliate with a chemical exfoliant such as an Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) for whiteheads and Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) for blackheads. They work by getting rid of the top most layer of the skin, allowing the impurities to come to the surface and heal faster.
2. Papules and Pustules fall into the inflammatory acne category. Papules are solid inflamed bumps that are not filled with pus. Meanwhile, pustules are also hard to touch but are filled with white or yellow puss. Both can feel bothersome to touch.
Treatment options: An over the counter salicylic acid treatment works for papules and pustules by removing the top layer of dead skin, allowing the acne lesions to heal faster. Benzoyl peroxide is also a popular choice for treating both kinds of inflammatory acne. However, due to the different strengths and reactions to this topical medication, it would require medical consultation and possibly a prescription from a dermatologist.
3. Cystic acne is one of the more severe types of acne and can be very painful to touch. Cystic pimples grow deep under the skin layers and rarely come to a whitehead. There is also more risk of scarring for this acne type since they cause a lot of inflammation and irritation to the skin. This type of acne is typically caused by a hormonal imbalance that leads to overproduction of sebum. Depending on the severity of the case, dermatological attention would be recommended to treat this type of acne.
Treatment options: In the case of maybe 1 or 2 cystic pimples, waiting for them to calm down and applying topical treatments such as retinol or benzoyl peroxide might help. But with more severe cases, doctors might prescribe a round of isotretinoin or also popularly known as Accutane. This is a very strong medication that requires plenty of pre-testing to be approved for usage. If you are considering going on Accutane, consult a reliable professional.
Apart from the previously mentioned treatment options, I must emphasize that the rest of your skincare routine also matters. A gentle cleanser and moisturizer are essential especially for acne-prone people. Sunscreen is also a must, because medicated treatments can be strong, and sunscreen helps prevent extra irritation that may be caused by the harsh sun. A good diet consisting of a variety of fruits and vegetables, sufficient sleep, and low stress levels cannot be neglected either to achieve healthy skin.
As we can see, acne comes in all shapes and sizes. Dealing with it can cause a lot of insecurity and can also affect our mental health. Aside from speaking with a dermatologist to acquire your medication, if you are struggling with acne, do not hesitate to reach out to a support system. Trust the process of your healthy skincare habits and you will be able to achieve healthy and clear skin.
