
Acne is a prevalent concern that leads to bumps and redness on the skin. It occurs when excess sebum binds pollutants, dirt, and dead cells to the skin’s surface, leading to clogged pores. Furthermore, when harmful bacteria begin thriving in these lesions, it triggers swelling – aggravating the breakout.
While acne is common on the face, back, arms, shoulders, and neck – in this blog, we will be only focusing on facial breakouts. We start by helping you identify the type of acne and brace you with the right treatments to keep them at bay.
What Are The Different Types Of Acne
Acne or Acne Vulgaris looks different for different individuals. To employ the right product or treatment for clear skin, you need to first identify the nature of the eruption. Here’s how you can do the same -
1. Non-inflammatory acne
a. Whiteheads: These yellowish-white bumps are formed when sebum and dead cells clog the pores on your face. Also dubbed ‘closed comedones’, these bumps have smaller openings on the skin’s surface that don’t permit air to enter.
b. Blackheads: Similar to whiteheads, blackheads occur when dead cells, and oils clog the pores on your face. However, these bumps have bigger openings on the dermis which allow oxygen to enter and oxidize melanin – resulting in the black hue.
2. Inflammatory acne
a. Papules: These are tiny, inflamed bumps that are tender to touch.
b. Pustules: Pustules resemble papules in their appearance. They have pus-filled centers and are painful to touch.
c. Nodules: Nodules are big, painful lumps that form underneath the skin. They occur when clogged pores become further inflamed and often lead to scarring.
d. Cystic: Inarguably the most severe form of acne, cystic eruptions are deep-seated, pus-filled, and require immediate attention for healing.
Causes Of Acne
Several reasons ranging from hormonal imbalances to an individual’s diet can lead to acne. Ahead, we list the most common triggers to help you nip the problem in the bud .
1. Hormonal imbalances: Hormonal fluctuations due to menstruation, PCOS, and even pregnancy can lead to an increase in sebum production. Results? More acne outbreaks.
2. Genetics: Some individuals may be genetically predisposed to oily or acne-prone skin. So, if your parents had acne through their teens, chances are that you will too.
3. Skincare habits: The lack of a full-fledged skincare routine can also lead to acne. So, ensure that you adhere to a cleansing-treating-moisturizing ritual twice a day.
4. Diet: The consumption of trans fats, sugary foods, or anything with high glycemic also flags off the sebaceous glands into overdrive mode, resulting in recurring acne episodes.
5. Wrong skincare/makeup: Additionally, using comedogenic skincare or makeup products can also lead to bumps and inflammation. To prevent this problem, we recommend patch-testing every new formula in your vanity.
6. External factors like pollutants: Pollutants, grime, and impurities may stick to your skin due to its excess sebum content. This unwarranted buildup, more often than not, clogs the pores for acne formation.
Myths Vs Facts About Acne Causes
To streamline efforts for clear, radiant skin, here are some acne myths that you should shun.
Myth 1: Acne is a sign of poor personal hygiene
Cleansing is indispensable for the overall health of your skin. However, only dirt doesn’t cause acne. These angry, inflamed bumps appear when dead cells and excess sebum clog the pores. So, no! Acne is not a sign of poor personal hygiene.
Myth 2: Acne is only a teenage problem.
This is one of the biggest myths that people buy. While you are most susceptible to acne in your teen years, it is a concern that can affect you way beyond that too. In fact, adult acne continues to affect approximately 15% of the women population.
Myth 3: All makeup products cause acne
False, this is a myth. There are several makeup products formulated for oily and acne-prone skin. Browse through the product’s label before making a purchase.
Myth 4: Stress has an impact on your skin
No, this is a myth. Stress is one of the biggest culprits of acne. Excessive stress in your day-to-day life can trigger the sebaceous glands into overdrive mode, leading to acne.
Acne Treatment Options
Depending on the severity of acne, here are some treatment options you can seek
1. OTC Treatments
Ingredients like Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide, Retinol in topical treatments help exfoliate the skin to alleviate acne. For folks with acne-prone skin, these gels (lotions or spot treatments) also unclog pores to prevent breakouts altogether.
2. Oral antibiotics
Oral medications like Doxycycline, Minocycline, Tetracycline also help keep acne at bay. Before you start the course, however, we recommend consulting with your physician/a board-certified dermatologist.
In case of severe case of acne, you can opt for the following professional treatments under your dermatologist’s guidance-
1. Chemical peels: This process uses a high concentration of Glycolic Acid or Lactic Acid to exfoliate the skin’s surface. Results? Clear skin sans the pimples!
2. Laser therapy: Blue light therapy (or CO2 fractional laser) treats acne-causing bacteria to reduce bumps and inflammation on the skin.
3. Microneedling: Microneedling is an efficient method to remedy post-acne skin. It entails creating small punctures in the skin which triggers Collagen production – filling acne scars and depressions.
Prevention Tips For Acne
If you have innately oily or acne-prone skin, here are some prevention tips to swear by
1. Daily skincare routine: Adhere to a daily skincare routine comprising the following steps
- Cleansing: Use a gentle, pH-balancing face wash to remove dirt, grime, and other impurities from the pores. Opt for formulations with Salicylic Acid or Niacinamide that cut excess sebum for a balanced microbiome.
- Treating: Use a result-oriented serum to address relevant skin concerns like greasiness, massive pores, whiteheads, blackheads, excess buildup, and/or acne. We recommend active ingredients like AHA BHAs for this stage of treatment.
- Moisturizing: Once the serum infuses into your skin, use a non-comedogenic, gel-based moisturizer to lock the treatment for best results. We recommend Foxtale’s Oil Free Moisturizer for this job. Niacinamide at the heart of this formula soaks excess sebum and prevents clogged pores for a balanced microbiome.
- Sun protecting: For your AM routine, a broad-spectrum sunscreen is non-negotiable. To prevent acne or oiliness on the skin, try Foxtale’s Mattifying Sunscreen with Niacinamide. The featherlight formula ensures an even skin while averting harmful UV rays.
2. Your diet: Opt for a balanced diet with low-glycemic foods, omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants, zinc, probiotics, and plenty of water.
3. Practice mindfulness: As we have seen earlier, stress and acne go hand-in-hand. Therefore, to avoid future breakouts, we recommend practicing mindfulness with meditation, exercise or yoga. Any kind of physical activity not only elevates skin health but also amps up your mental well-being.
When Should You See A Dermatologist For Your Acne?
You should see a dermatologist for your acne when -
1. Home remedies do not reduce your pimples.
2. You are struggling with severe acne, redness or inflammation.
3. If you have deep scars or depressions on your skin post-acne.
FAQs
1. Can diet really cause acne?
Yes, consuming high-glycemic food, trans fats, and excess sugar can cue the sebaceous glands into overdrive mode, resulting in acne.
2. Is acne curable or just manageable?
Acne is curable on most skin types. For people with innately acne-prone skin, certain topical treatments and medications help minimize breakouts for the most part.
3. Can acne scars be removed permanently?
Yes. If you have deep scarring, we recommend seeking professional treatments like microneedling, chemical peels, and laser therapy under your dermatologist’s recommendation.
4. What is the best stage to start acne treatment?
The best stage to start acne treatment is as soon as you notice a breakout. Treating the acne or inflammation early on reduces the risk of scarring.
Conclusion
Acne is one of the most prevalent skin concerns across the world. It occurs when dead cells and sebum clog the pores, leading to the formation of bumps. Furthermore, when harmful bacteria occupy these lesions, redness and inflammation appear on the skin. Acne is broadly classified into whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, papules, nodes, and cystic lumps.
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