Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting all ages and races. What’s less common, however, is useful information about it. With the pimple-popping videos taking the internet by storm, it’s easy to want to try taking care of it yourself at home. However, without knowing what type of acne you have, and without proper treatment, you can have scars that last longer than your breakout.
What is Acne?
Acne vulgaris, or acne, are blemishes on the skin. They can appear on the face, upper back, neck, shoulders, upper arms, and buttocks. At any given time, 40-50 million people are dealing with acne. Clogged pores are the culprit. Dead skin cells and sebum get stuck together inside of a pore and get trapped. Bacteria can also become trapped in pores, and blemishes can multiply very quickly.
Types of Acne
Acne is more than just blemishes. There are six different kinds of acne. Here is a little more information about them:
- Blackheads– Sebum and dead skin cells clog the pore, but the pore remains open. The pore surface appears black, hence the term blackhead.
- Whiteheads– Like with blackheads, pores are clogged with sebum and dead skin cells, but the top closes and a small bump protrudes from the skin.
- Papules-. These blemishes are hard and tender when touched.
- Pustules– This is what many people think acne is. These red bumps protrude from the skin and have white or yellow heads on top.
- Cysts– These are the largest form of acne and can result in severe inflammation due to the bacteria that gets trapped in the pore, along with the skin cells and sebum. They are deep within the skin and are more likely to scar. The large bumps are painful to touch and are red or white.
- Nodules– Nodules also occur deep within the skin. They are a result of an irritated clogged pore that has grown larger.
Leave it to the Professionals!
The effects of acne can go beyond what you see on the surface, impacting your social, emotional, and physical well-being. If you are popping and picking at home, you can wind up scaring your skin. A dermatologist can accurately identify whether or not it is acne, what type, and work with you to find the best treatment approach. They will treat the existing acne, help prevent new breakouts, and address any scarring that may have occurred.
Although it is best to leave the acne treatments to a professional, there are some things you can do at home to help reduce the number of breakouts. Washing your face twice a day, keeping your hands off your face, and being gentle with your skin can go a long way.
To learn more about your acne and other dermatological treatment options, make an appointment with one of ForCare’s skin experts at 813-960-2400, or visit us online.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/types-of-acne#severity
