DIFFERENT KINDS OF ACNE
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your pores become blocked with oil, dead skin and bacteria.
Every pore is the opening of a follicle. A follicle is made up of a hair and a sebaceous (oil) gland.
The sebaceous gland in your skin releases sebum that keeps your skin lubricated and soft . It releases sebum which is oil that travels up the hair, out of the pore and onto the skin.
Acne is usually caused by one or more of the following problems that occur during this lubrication process:
• Too much oil is produced by the follicles.
• Dead skin cells accumulate in the pores.
• Bacteria builds up in the pores.
Acne is often characterized by inflammation, redness, occasional pain, etc and is very common among adolescents. It isn’t life threatening but it can be painful especially when it is severe and is often a cause for emotional distress.
As stated, one or more of the problems listed can cause a blockage in your pores that later results to acne.
Acne can be found anywhere but most commonly on the face, back, neck, chest, and shoulders. It might all start the same but not every type is like the other. There are six different types of acne and today we will be talking about all of them.
WHITEHEADS
Whiteheads are a mild type of acne that appears as a small, round, white bump on the skin's surface. They are also known as close comedones. We have already established that acne is as a result of clogged pause, if this clogged is covered with a thin layer of skin, it appears white on the surface. This is where the name whitehead comes from.
Whiteheads may seem like they pop up overnight but their formation can actually take up to two months.
BLACKHEADS
Blackheads are also known as open comedones. They have dark or black surfaces and are usually small. Blackheads from like every other acne but unlike whiteheads, the skin over the bump opens which leads to air exposure that causes all the oil, dirt and bacteria to look black, this forming a blackhead. Blackheads usually form on the face but they also appear on the back, chest, neck, arms and shoulders.
PAPULES
Papules are a type of inflamed acne. It looks like a red bump on the skin. Papules form when there is a high break in the follicle wall. What does this mean?
As usual, your pore becomes clogged with skin cells and excess oil. This excess oil is good food for the p.acnes Bacteria, a resident of the skin. These bacterias happily multiply. All this excess oil and bacteria buildup put pressure on the follicle . Eventually the follicle wall will rupture from all the extra pressure. All the excesses spill out onto the surrounding skin, causing irritation. The skin then becomes red, inflamed and sore.
PUSTULES
A pustule is a bulging patch of skin that is full of yellowish fluid called pus. They are usually white bumps surrounded by red skin. Pustules begin as papules. when the walls of an affected pore breaks down. White blood cells gather on the papule, forming the pus that fights off infection from the dirt or bacteria that has entered the pore
NODULES
Acne nodules are caused by the same thing as every other type of acne. The only difference is, it forms deep under the skin in form of a hard large lump . It is often painful to touch and can last longer than other types of acne .
CYSTS
Cysts are an uncommon and severe form of acne that occurs deep under your skin like nodules and results in large painful pus filled bumps that are similar to boils. Treating cystic acne isn't easy and should be handled only by a dermatologist.
Article credit : Cocci Beauty