Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells.
Acne is a common skin condition that affects people of all ages. Your skin has pores that connect to oil glands under the skin. These glands make an oily substance called sebum. The pores connect to the glands by a canal called a follicle. Inside the follicles are hair and sebaceous (oil) glands. Sebum carries dead skin cells through the follicles to the surface of the skin.
A thin hair also grows through the follicle out of the skin. When the follicle of a skin gland clogs up, a pimple grows.
Acne commonly appears on your face, neck, chest, back and shoulders.
Acne can appear on other parts of the body, such as the upper arms, lower arms, chest, face, back and shoulders. Acne can also appear on the buttocks and the upper legs.
The appearance of acne depends on where you have it on your body or face. For example, acne that appears on your face can be solid red bumps (papules), small pus-filled swellings (pustules) or deeper lumps under the surface of your skin (nodules).
Hormones, bacteria and genetics play a role in acne.
It’s not just teenagers who get acne. Your acne could be caused by a combination of factors, including hormones, bacteria and genetics.
- Hormones: Hormonal changes can cause an increase in oil production, which results in pores becoming blocked.
- Bacteria: Pores become blocked when dead skin cells combine with excess sebum (oil) to form a sticky plug. A bacterium called Propionibacterium acnes (P acnes) lives on the surface of your skin and can infect the blocked pore, causing inflammation (redness and swelling).
- Genetics: Your genes may predispose you to developing acne. For example, if both your mother and father had acne, you’re more likely to develop it too than if only one of them had acne.
Whiteheads are one type of pimple that result when the pore remains closed by the skin.
Whiteheads are one type of pimple that result when the pore remains closed by the skin.
Their contents are not exposed to air and this is what causes them to remain white.
In whiteheads, a build-up of excess sebum (oil) under the skin combines with dead skin cells, bacteria, and debris that clog pores.
Treatment for whiteheads can include:
- Washing problem areas with a mild cleanser twice daily. Gently exfoliating skin a few times a week may also help prevent whiteheads.
- Using an over-the-counter (OTC) acne cream or gel containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid
A blackhead is a type of acne that forms when a pore is only partially blocked and some sebum, the natural oil inside your pores, turns dark upon exposure to air.
Blackheads are a type of acne that form when pores become clogged with dead skin cells, oil and dirt. When this happens, a pore can only partially block and some sebum (your natural oil) turns dark upon exposure to air. Sometimes blackheads turn into whiteheads when the opening of the skin pore closes off completely. Blackheads are different from whiteheads because whiteheads have a thin layer of skin over the opening of your pore and with blackheads, you can actually see inside your pores. However, some people do not realize that blackheads are still caused by clogged pores and assume that they result from poor hygiene or not washing your face enough. This is definitely not true! You should wash your face once a day using an oil-free cleanser or mild soap to remove excess sebum (oil), dirt and make up residue that can clog your pores.
Papules are small red bumps that often appear on the face, chest and back.
Good news: papules are not filled with pus and are less likely to leave behind scars. Bad news: they’re often tender to the touch, and can be a source of embarrassment if they appear on your face. Papules are smaller than pustules, another common acne type that is filled with pus.
Pustules are red at their base and have pus at the top.
Pustules, or pimples, are the most common type of acne, and they form when your skin’s pores — which are tiny openings in your skin that allow hair to grow out of — get clogged with dead skin cells and oil. When a pore gets clogged and oil builds up beneath it, bacteria cause inflammation. The result is a pustule: an inflamed lesion red at its base and topped with pus.
Nodules are large, painful lesions deep within the skin. They’re composed of tissues that are usually affected by acne, not just the surface layer of skin.
Nodules are large, painful lesions deep within the skin. They’re composed of tissues that are usually affected by acne, not just the surface layer of skin. Nodules are usually accompanied by cysts.
Although nodules are deep in the skin, they can be treated with topical medications. Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide help to dry out or remove dead skin cells from pores and prevent them from clogging up again. However, if your acne is severe enough to cause nodules, you may need stronger treatment options like prescription antibiotics or cortisone injections.
Cysts are large pus-filled lesions that look similar to boils. They’re often accompanied by nodules.
Cysts are large pus-filled lesions that look similar to boils. They’re often accompanied by nodules, which are also painful and can be just as bad. Cysts can cause scarring, and they typically need to be treated by a dermatologist.
So how should you treat cystic acne? The answer is simple: Don’t try to remove cysts on your own! If you’ve got a cyst, it’s important to see a doctor. Cysts can sometimes be drained or removed by surgery, but that’s not something you should do on your own. Dermatologists will often prescribe medication for cystic acne as well.
Dermatologists treat acne using topical medications, antibiotics or prescription pills in more severe cases.
Dermatologists know their stuff and can help you figure out the best way to get rid of your acne. Your treatment will depend on the type and severity of your acne. If you’re struggling with mild to moderate acne, there are a number of topical options that can help prevent and treat pimples, such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, retinoids, sulfur treatments, or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). For more severe cases where the above have failed to work, dermatologists may recommend oral antibiotics or prescription pills. If you feel like your acne is still not getting better with these treatments, they may refer you to a second dermatologist who specializes in conditions like acne.
You can treat acne with medication from the doctor or over-the-counter products such as benzoyl peroxide.
You can treat acne with medication from the doctor or over-the-counter products such as benzoyl peroxide. If you have mild to moderate acne, your doctor may recommend:
- Oral antibiotics, which kill bacteria. Examples include tetracycline, doxycycline and minocycline.
- Topical antibiotics (applied to the skin) and benzoyl peroxide (applied to the skin), which kill bacteria.
- Retinoids, which unblock pores and reduce inflammation. Example: isotretinoin gel.
If you have severe acne, your doctor may prescribe oral contraceptives or azelaic acid which reduces inflammation along with oral or topical antibiotics. If there is scarring it may be possible to use a chemical peel or laser resurfacing to improve the appearance of the affected skin