Know your ance
Although acne is a very common skin condition that occurs among teenagers and adults, having acne can be frustrating. Understanding which type of acne you’re having is crucial for successful treatment. Ance can fall into 2 main categories:
Noninflammatory acne
Noninflammatory which is blackheads and whiteheads usually don’t cause swelling and respond relatively well to over-the-counter treatments.
Blackheads
Blackheads is a condition where a pore gets clogged by sebum and dead skin cells
Blackheads is also known as open comedones because the head of the pore remains open, despite the rest of it being clogged, results in a black dot seen on the surface.
Whiteheads
Whiteheads also occur when a pore is clogged by sebum and dead skin cells. But unlike blackheads, the head of the pore is closed, and it results in a small bump protruding on the surface of your skin.
Treatment for noninflammatory acne
Salicylic acid is often used to treat ance in general, but it works best on blackheads and whiteheads. It is because salicylic can help remove dead skin cells and excess oil that lead to clogging in the pore which results in blackheads and whiteheads at last. Besides, salicylic can also prevent noninflammatory acne from returning in the future.
Salicylic can be found in cleansers, toner, and moisturizers, you can look for facial products that contain it to treat your blackheads and whiteheads.
Inflammatory acne
Red and swollen pimples are what we referred to as inflammatory acne.
Inflammatory acne includes papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts. Inflammatory acne is also caused by sebum and dead cells, but with the bacteria build up in your pores.
Papules
Papules are small and red bumps that raised on your skin surface, skin around the papules is usually pink in color. It occurs when pores are inflamed or infected.
Pustules
Pustules are red bumps that are filled with pus on the top, makes them have a yellow or white head on top. Like papules, it is also caused by inflamed or infected pores.
Product that contains benzoyl-peroxide may help in removing excess sebum, reducing swelling, and clear off bacteria within the skin. Consuming oral or topical antibiotic prescribed by doctors along with benzoyl-peroxide helps to treat inflammatory acne.
Nodules
Nodules are solid and painful lumps underneath your skin. Nodules occur when a clogged and swollen pore irritated and grow larger.
It is often difficult to be treated by over-the-counter treatment as it is deep under your skin. If you are experiencing nodules and facing problems to get rid of them, you might have to see a doctor or dermatologist. Your doctor will likely prescribe you an oral medication, isotretinoin (Sotret) to help clear your nodules. It is a form of vitamin A and can help to decrease oil gland size within the pores, by this treat and prevent nodules to develop.
Cysts
Cysts are large and painful lumps that contain pus found beneath your skin. It is the largest form of acne and also the most likely acne to scar.
Cysts are also caused by clogging pores with a combination of sebum, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Just like nodules, cysts are also developed deep under your skin and you might have to get prescribed medication from your doctor in order to treat it. Isotretinoin (Sotret) is commonly prescribed to treat cysts.
When to see a doctor
Acne treatment requires a lot of time and patient. It is a long process to clear and control your acne for good. If you are using acne products, be aware of not using too many of them at a time. Because acne products may cause dry skin, and lead your pore to produce more sebum, lastly results in more acne problem.
If you find your ance getting severe and out of control, seeing a dermatologist is the best way to give skin a full and accurate diagnosis.
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