Acne is a skin condition that affects millions of people in Malaysia which is why acne scar treatment has been so popular in recent years. It can manifest itself in different ways and may be caused by a number of factors such as hormones or genetics. Fortunately, there are plenty of treatments available to help manage acne symptoms. In this blog post, we discuss some common types of acne and their signs and symptoms so you know what to look out for!
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Blackheads
Blackheads are blocked pores so you can clearly see the plug of sebum, bacteria, and oxidized skin cells that’s causing them to look black.
If you’re not using skin care products containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid, your acne will probably be dominated by these types of blemishes.
This can be treated by unclogging the pore with a product containing benzoyl peroxide or by using an alpha hydroxy acid chemical peel.
Whiteheads
Whiteheads are similar to blackheads but the sebum is trapped under a thin layer of skin instead of being exposed on the surface. Whitehead symptoms are a white bump on the skin that looks like a pimple.
Whiteheads have the same treatment as blackheads which is a product containing benzoyl peroxide or a chemical peel with an alpha hydroxy acid.
Sometimes these can get so big they form cysts or abscesses, both of which need specialist treatment. In most cases, you’ll need a specialist’s help to get rid of whiteheads at home.
Pustules
Pustules are whiteheads that have become inflamed and pus-filled as the result of a bacterial infection. Most pustules appear on your face but they can also appear elsewhere, such as on your back or legs if you’ve been shaving those areas.
You need to see an expert for treatment of these acne symptoms as they can be very painful and it’s important to clear them up quickly before scarring occurs.
It’s usually the result of a staphylococcus infection which causes small blisters filled with fluid or pus. Specialists would prescribe you antibiotics for treating this type of acne.
Papules
Papules are small, red spots that appear on your skin when oil ducts that are clogged become inflamed. They can be treated with topical creams containing benzoyl peroxide or by using an alpha hydroxy acid chemical peel.
You should apply these types of acne treatments to the papule twice a day for two to three weeks until it disappears.
Cysts
You can tell you have one of these types of acne symptoms when you experience intense pain. The cyst is like a large pustule but the difference with them is that they remain under your skin and don’t appear on the surface.
When they do come to a head, they’ll form what looks like a volcano-shaped crater filled with white blood cells. These are serious types of acne symptoms because it’s rare for these cysts to heal without leaving some scarring behind so see your specialist as soon as possible if this happens to you.
Nodules
Nodules are hard, painful lumps that appear on the surface of your skin. They tend to be very deep and cause scarring if they aren’t treated quickly enough so see an expert for advice as soon as you notice them.
You need to use a product containing strong benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. They can also appear underneath the skin where they’re soft and cause no pain but they’ll still need treating by a specialist before they become inflamed or ruptured.
What to Do If You Have Acne?
See an expert as soon as possible so you can figure out what type of acne symptoms you have and how to treat them. In most cases, your specialist will prescribe topical creams or gels containing antibiotics or benzoyl peroxide.
If the spots are very severe, you might need to take a course of oral antibiotics which will work more quickly than creams but they’re less effective in the long run.
It’s not just about treating the acne itself – you also need to prevent it from coming back after treatment by sticking to a sensible skin care routine for your face.
Always use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 when going outside and make sure you thoroughly cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize your skin.
The New Understanding
Acne is a common skin condition that affects people of all ages. We hope that this blog post has given you information on the symptoms of different types of acne, how to identify them and learn about some treatment options.
If you have any questions or concerns about your acne, be sure to reach out to one of our specialists for more information. We look forward to helping you clear up your skin!
