What Types of Acne Do You Have?

Acne vulgaris is the medical name for acne. It includes blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples, with breakouts mostly appearing on the chest, shoulders, face, and back. Even though you may treat your acne with Medizone using over-the-counter medication, seeing a dermatologist may help you prevent reoccurrence of the problem.

Types of Acne

Acne manifests itself in several types of skin blemishes. Each type is different, with unique symptoms and appearances, and can affect teenagers or adults. In the United States, about 80% of young adults and adolescents are affected by acne, and more than 40 million Americans are impacted every year. Some of the common types include whiteheads, cysts, blackheads, and papules, with each one requiring different treatment. If you do not get the help of a dermatologist, the acne may leave you with scars.

Non-inflammatory Types of Acne

The most common types of non-inflammatory acne are whiteheads and blackheads – these are the mildest types of acne. They may be irritating, but these types of acne do not typically cause scarring.

Whiteheads are also known as closed comedones. They are little whitish bumps with a red halo and usually form when dead skin cells and oil clog a hair follicle. The area around whiteheads may be tight or wrinkled.

Blackheads are also known as open comedones. They are small, black-colored bumps on the skin. The skin around a blackhead appears normal. These blemishes are whiteheads that have opened up.

Treating Non-Inflammatory Acne

There are plenty of over-the-counter medications that may be used to treat non-inflammatory acne. These include gels, moisturizers, and toners. It is also possible to treat them with simple lifestyle changes. Some of these include;

1. Eating a healthy diet
2. Washing the face with soap and clean, lukewarm water twice a day
3. Learning to manage stress
4. Using shower gel that is mild and skin-friendly
5. Drinking a lot of water
6. Limiting over-exposure to the sun and wearing sunscreen when outside

Inflammatory Acne Types

Inflammatory types of acne include nodules, cysts, papules, and pustules with these types of acne being more severe than non-inflammatory types. If you do not get the right treatment on time, they may result in issues such as pitting and scarring. Some of the most common types of inflammatory acne include the following;

Papules

These are bumps that appear beneath the skin surface and are typically pinkish and tender. The skin surrounding the blemish is usually red and may be slightly swollen. They occur when blackheads or whiteheads cause a lot of irritation and damage the surrounding skin, leading to inflammation.

Pimples

These are big, tender, and circular bumps that appear on the skin. They are usually filled with pus. The bottom of the pimples may be red or pink.

Hormonal pimples are caused by changes in your hormones and may appear when one is under stress or during menstrual periods. This acne mostly appears on the jawline.

Treating Inflammatory Acne

You may use over-the-counter medication to treat mild occurrences of pimples. You can also address the problem at home by making the following changes;

1. Use facial products that contain benzoyl peroxide. The products may help you combat bacteria [1].

2. Wash the affected area with clean, cold water and mild soap. Dry it with a soft and clean facecloth

3. Apply a warm compress on the affected area

4. Use products that contain salicylic acid to get rid of dead skin [2].

Getting acne treatment on time is essential if you want to prevent the problem from becoming severe. Without the right treatment, it will leave you with scars that may affect your self-esteem. Always seek the opinion of a dermatologist before you start any treatment.

There is no doubt that to get proper treatment, you must first identify the type of acne that you have. The only way to be sure about this is by contacting a dermatologist.