How To Treat Acne & Types Of Acne To Get Rid Effectively:_ Acne is a stubborn skin condition that can appear on your face, neck, chest, back or any other part of your body.
Knowing what type of acne and how to treat acne on your skin is the key step to clearing it. Of course you won’t like to spend time and money dealing with products that won’t treat your type of acne effectively.
Basically, there are two categories of acne, which are inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne. Each responds to treatments differently.
To help you fully diagnose the type of acne you may have without necessarily having to seek the advice of a professional, which is highly recommended, here is what you need to know and how to treat acne effectively.
Types Of Acne To Get Rid Effectively
1. Inflammatory acne
The common underlying cause of inflammatory acne is bacteria, dead skin cells and sebum. It’s mostly characterized by redness and swelling either close to the surface of the skin or deep within the skin.
The four types of inflammatory acne are papules, nodular acne, cystic and pustular.
- Papules
Papules are small red bumps that can appear on your face and back. They occur when the walls of your pores get inflamed. Bacteria get into the pores which causes the tiny red bumps on your skin. Papules can be cleared with Salicylic or Benzoyl peroxide face wash, depending on how severe it is.
- Pustular acne
Pustules are red bumps with white or yellow heads. The heads are an indication of puss. This type of breakout is caused by bacteria. You should never pop them because it could make the acne worse or increase scarring when they heal. Try using Benzoyl Peroxide face washes or acne cream containing it.
- Cystic acne
This is a more severe form of acne because the inflammation occurs deeper into the skin. The risk of scarring is high and you should be careful when seeking treatments. The cysts are painful and filled with blood and puss. You shouldn’t attempt to pop them because it’ll cause more irritation. Home and over the counter treatments don’t work. You should visit your dermatologist for draining and proper treatment.
- Nodular acne
This is also a type of inflammation that occurs deep within the layer of your skin. They’re large and painful and they often cause scarring. Just like cysts, topical over the counter remedies don’t work. You should visit your dermatologist to get proper medication.
2. Non inflammatory acne
There’s no swelling with non-inflammatory acne. They occur when pores get clogged with oil, dead skin cells and bacteria in some cases. They’re a mild form of acne and you can easily find treatments.
The two types are open and closed comedones.
- Open comedones (blackheads)
Blackheads look like small dark spots on your skin. The main cause is dead skin cells and sebum which fills the pores. Since the pore is open, it turns dark, which results in the visibly colored spots. You can find over the counter treatments that contain ingredients like salicylic acid, sulfur and Benzoyl Peroxide for this.
- Closed comedones (white heads)
They look like small white bumps on the skin. They also form as a result of sebum and dead skin cells in the pores. Over the counter treatments with salicylic acid also work for this type of acne.
When you’re prone to acne breakouts you should always be careful with what products you use to avoid further irritation.
Your diet could also be a trigger. Limit your stress levels, get enough sleep, avoid smoking, sleep on clean beddings and ensure your oily dirty hair does not come into contact with your bare face.
How To Treat Acne And Get Rid Them Effectively.
1. Wash your face twice a day and after sweating.
Acne-prone skin is sensitive. Washing more than twice a day can irritate your skin, making acne worse. For best results, dermatologists recommend washing your face when you:
- Wake up
- Are ready to go to bed
- Have a sweaty face
2. Stop scrubbing your face and other acne-prone skin.
If your skin feels greasy, dirty, or grimy, you may be tempted to scrub it clean. Don’t! Scrubbing can irritate acne-prone skin, which worsens acne.
3. Use skin care products and cosmetics that don’t cause acne.
These products are labeled. On the package, you may see one of the following:
- Won’t clog pores
- Non-comedogenic
- Non-acnegenic
- Oil free
Because some of these skin care products may still cause acne in a few people, you may need to try different products before you find ones that don’t cause you to breakout.
4. Resist touching, picking, and popping your acne.
Popping a pimple may seem like the fastest way to clear it, but popping it can actually make things worse. Every time you touch, pick, or pop, you can worsen acne.
5. Spread acne medication on all acne-prone skin, not just your blemishes.
Applying a thin layer on your acne-prone skin helps treat existing acne and prevent new breakouts.
6. Wash your pillowcases, hats, and other things that touch your acne-prone skin.
Dead skin cells, bacteria, and dirt will build up on these surfaces, which can clog your pores. Washing what touches your acne-prone skin can prevent this.
Changing your sheets every week and your pillowcase two or three times a week can make a difference.
7. Enlist a dermatologist’s help.
If you still have acne after trying these tips or you have acne cysts or nodules (deep blemishes that leave scars when they clear) a dermatologist can help.
