Acne is not just a skin issue. It can have long-lasting emotional effects on people, including depression and anxiety. Acne can be treated with treatments such as facial extraction. This blog post will cover the different types of acne and how to treat them.
Blackheads
Also known as open comedones, blackheads are small dark pores that appear on the surface of the skin. They’re usually filled with dirt and oil from the skin, which turns them darker than the rest of your skin.
Unlike whiteheads, which stay under the surface of your skin, blackheads sit openly on your skin and can be washed or squeezed away. Although squeezing is not recommended because it can give you scars.
You can treat blackheads by exfoliating your skin gently to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. This will open up those pores and clear out those blackheads naturally.
Besides exfoliating, you can also use a retinoid serum to help treat blackheads, as this is what many specialists recommend for acne-prone individuals who want smooth and acne-free skin.
Whiteheads
Whiteheads are small, raised bumps that form under the skin. These types of acne appear when a pore becomes clogged with oil and dead skin cells and begins to bulge above the surface of the skin.
Whiteheads stay under your skin, unlike blackheads which can be washed or squeezed away easily. When these break open and release their contents-which is just oily dirt and bacteria-they become inflamed and red.
Just like blackheads, you can get rid of whiteheads by using gentle exfoliation on your skin to remove the top layer of dead cells, allowing those pores to clear out naturally. Using retinoids will also help treat whiteheads by clearing up your pores even further so nothing gets trapped in there.
Papules
Papules are small, red bumps that are often tender to the touch. These types of acne form under the surface when your pores become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. They can be sensitive but may not be painful or itchy like other types of acne, like pustules.
Treating papules is similar to treating whiteheads and blackheads by gently exfoliating to remove the top layer of dead cells in order to open up those pores so they can clear out naturally. A specialist may also prescribe you antibiotics or birth control pills to help cure inflammatory acne.
Nodules
Nodules are large, painful acne that forms deep within your skin. These types of acne are the result of oil glands becoming clogged with dead skin cells and sebum, or oil. They can be red or brown in color, which is why they’re often confused with hormonal acne.
However, unlike hormonal acne, nodules come on suddenly rather than gradually. While you can treat whiteheads and pustules at home by using gentle exfoliation to clear out the pores naturally, nodules will need a specialist’s opinion to help get rid of them safely.
It’s best to go see a specialist if you have tried treating these forms of acne for a long time but have not seen any improvement. They will prescribe you antibiotics or chemical peeling that removes the outer layer of your skin.
Pustules
Pustules are large, red bumps that form under the skin. They’re usually filled with pus and surrounded by inflammation. Pustules often look like those of whiteheads or nodules but can be distinguished because they don’t have a visible head on the surface of your skin.
Pustules form when a whitehead becomes infected with bacteria and releases its contents suddenly. Pustules are treated by antibiotic treatments to get rid of bacteria-filled pus.
Cysts
A cyst is acne that forms a large under-the-skin nodule that can become inflamed or infected if not treated. Cysts are the result of severe bacterial infection in your pores due to excessive oil production, blackheads, and whiteheads. They are usually very painful because they are formed deep within your skin.
If you have cystic acne, you should see a specialist for treatment options to get rid of it quickly before giving you scars on your face. They will prescribe either antibiotic treatments or chemical peeling to finally get rid of these types of acne.
In a Nutshell
Acne can be a frustrating and embarrassing problem, but it is also more common than you might think. If your acne isn’t responding to over-the-counter products or if you are looking for something with stronger ingredients that will work faster, consult a specialist about prescription treatment options.
There are many types of acne out there, so make sure to learn what they all are (and how to treat them) before making any rash decisions on product purchases! If you have more questions in mind, feel free to give us a call!
