Acne can affect people of all ages and skin types. Its cause typically lies in an accumulation of oil and dead skin cells in hair follicles, leading to inflammation and eventually pimple formation.
Acne is a skin condition which manifests itself in different forms, including blackheads and whiteheads without inflammation, papules with inflammation and pus-filled cysts. You can often treat most forms of acne using over-the-counter products; if severe acne arises it may require prescription medication instead.
1. Redness and Swelling
Acne is an extremely common skin condition, and affects people of all ages. Acne develops when hair follicles become blocked with sebum (oil), dead skin cells, and bacteria clogging up their hair follicles and leading to outbreaks.
Clogged pores cause skin to become red and inflamed, as well as leading to blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules or cysts to form.
As with any skin condition, it is best not to irritate or pop these blemishes as this can lead to inflammation, scarring and infection. Instead, wash your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser and avoid cosmetic products containing oil- or pore-clogging ingredients. If symptoms persist, consult your physician about potential acne treatment solutions.
2. Whiteheads
Whiteheads differ from blackheads by appearing as skin-colored bumps on the skin’s surface. These non-inflammatory blemishes form when hair follicles become blocked with dead cells and oil. Also referred to as closed comedones, they often show up on faces, necks, chests and shoulders.
Acne classified as mild can be treated using over-the-counter topical treatments and topical antibiotics, with 15 whiteheads or blackheads and less than 15 inflamed bumps being present. If the condition worsens or causes irritation, see your physician as they may suggest prescription medication instead. However, avoid squeezing these blemishes directly as this could lead to infections or scarring from squeezed out pustules.
3. Blackheads
Blackheads are a non-inflammatory type of acne caused when pores become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, known as closed comedones, that appear as little white or flesh-colored bumps on top of skin. When exposed to air, however, the plug oxidizes and eventually turns dark brown or black in appearance.
Blackheads do not contain dirt as some may mistakenly believe; rather they often form on the face, chest and shoulders due to an increase in hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Left untreated they may progress into papules and pustules or even severe nodular acne lesions that require treatment in order to be effectively eliminated.
4. Pustules
Pustules are small pus-filled sores on the skin’s surface, typically occurring where hair follicles and sweat glands reside. These red-tinged lesions often feature white centers and can be painful.
Pustules result from ruptured hair follicle walls, prompting white blood cells to attack bacteria that has infiltrated, creating an accumulation of infected fluid and dead white skin cells referred to as pus.
Squeezing or picking at pustules should be avoided in order to decrease inflammation and scarring, and twice-daily cleansing with mild soap is also essential in keeping pores clear and preventing future outbreaks.
5. Nodules
Acne nodules (commonly referred to as cysts) are severe breakouts caused when an infected pore swells under the skin’s surface and becomes infected, becoming flesh-colored and hard in texture.
Pustules resemble papules but feature a white center caused by inflammation or infection in the pore. Picking or squeezing pustules should be avoided to avoid worsening acne blemishes and scarring.
Papules and pustules should be treated using topical treatments such as benzoyl peroxide or retinoid creams – or both together – plus oral medication such as antibiotics, hormone therapy (for women), or isotretinoin. Cysts must only be drained by a licensed medical provider as they contain blood.
6. Cysts
Cysts are closed sacs located within the skin that resemble boils in terms of appearance and cause. Their difference lies in their location and membrane lining composition; Cysts may contain fluid or even cheese-like material and their size ranges from millimeters to centimeters.
Acne Vulgaris is the most prevalent type of acne, often manifesting itself with blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules. This condition occurs due to dead skin cells accumulating with oil and bacteria in hair follicles on the face, neck, back and chest that collect dead cells resulting in red or white bumps, sometimes painful cysts.
