Acne is a commonly caused skin condition that occurs when the hair follicles are congested due to sebum, dirt, dead skin cells, or bacteria—various forms of acne range from mild black and whiteheads to painful pus-filled nodules. They affect millions of people and are common to have.
Types of Acne:
Acne can be categorized into two main types. Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory respectively.
Non-inflammatory acne:
This category includes whiteheads and blackheads.
- Blackheads: These are usually formed when the hair follicles are clogged due to excessive sebum and dead skin cells. However, the top of the comedones stays open resulting in oxidation of the clogged oil and sebum giving it a dark colour. Blackheads cannot be removed by excessive cleaning of the skin since they are not caused by dirt.
- Whiteheads: These are formed the same way as blackheads however the top surface of the clogged follicle is closed off resulting in a white appearance due to no oxidation taking place.
Inflammatory acne:
These are known to be painful and more sensitive. There are four main types:
- Cysts: These take place when the skin pores are clogged deeper into the skin creating pus-filled acne that causes swelling and redness. They are usually painful and need proper care to recover without leaving prominent acne scars
- Pustules: These are what we commonly refer to as pimples. They are inflamed and cause redness. They appear to have pus-filled centers and are tender to touch.
- Papules: These are less severe versions of pustules. These are caused when the walls that surround the pores break off resulting in the accumulation of oil, dirt, and dead skin cells. They appear to be tiny red inflamed bumps.
- Nodules: These are generally infected and take longer periods to heal. They take place when the lesions are deep-rooted in the skin and the dirt, bacterial, and dead skin cell accumulation is high.
Causes of Acne
Acne is caused by multiple reasons ranging from hormonal issues to clogged pores. Let’s look at some possible reasons:
- Puberty, pregnancy, or hormonal disorders can cause acne flare-ups due to constant changes in hormones in the body.
- Sebum produced by the sebaceous glands is known to keep the skin moisturized in some cases the sebum production increases leading to clogged pores and acne.
- The bacterium Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is commonly present all over the skin however sometimes it clothes pores by proliferating around the pores leading to bacterial acne.
- If the dead skin cells are not cleaned up properly from the skin they fill up the skin pores causing blackheads and whiteheads.
- Foods like dairy, sugar, and high-glycemic products are also known to cause acne or worsen it due to gut imbalances.
Treatment Options for Acne
1. Topical Treatments
Topical treatments are the most commonly used treatment options for acne.
- Benzoyl Peroxide: Helps reduce bacterial acne by prohibiting bacterial proliferation and helping to unclog the pores. It is easily available and effective to clear up acne.
- Salicylic Acid: Used to treat comodegenic acne such as blackheads and whiteheads. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that is known to exfoliate the skin pores to clear the build-up.
- Retinoids: Adapalene and tretinoin are two very widely used retinoids. They help in renewing cells and prevent clogging of pores.
2. Oral Medications
Only prescribed in the cases of severe acne:
- Antibiotics: doxycycline, minocycline, and tetracycline are some of the common antibiotics prescribed to reduce bacterial acne. They are only given for a limited time due to visible side effects.
- Hormonal Treatments: Spironolactone is a commonly prescribed anti-androgen pill that helps to regulate hormones in people with hormonal issues.
- Isotretinoin: A retinoid that helps to reduce inflammation and kill acne-causing bacteria. It is only prescribed to people with severe acne and requires monitoring by a professional to rule out any side effects.
3. Procedural Treatments
Procedural treatments may be effective in certain cases.
- Chemical Peels: Known to be effective for post-acne scars, chemicals like salicylic acid or glycolic acid are used as peels to help with acne.
- Laser Therapy: It kills the acne-causing bacteria and reduces the inflammation caused by acne. Dermatologists also use it to reduce acne scars.
- Drainage and Extraction: Cystic acne usually ends up with an accumulation of us that sometimes needs to be drained to relieve pain.
Prevention of Acne
1. Regular Cleansing: Try to clean your face twice a day to prevent breakouts and the accumulation of dirt and oil on your face.
2. Moisturizing: Every skin type needs hydration. Stick to a non-comedogenic face moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and unclogged.
3. Avoid Picking: Whenever you get cane refrain from pricking on them as pricking can leave acne scars.
4. Sun Protection: Sunscreens are known to help with hyperpigmentation thus wearing one every day is an essential part of preventing acne.
Conclusion
Acne can be of different types and can have different reasons for their appearance. A good skincare routine, a healthy diet, and daily exercising can help manage their occurrence. It is advised to visit a dermatologist whenever the severity of acne increases.