Most of us have mild acne at some point in our lives, whether we call them blemishes, pimples, or zits. Acne vulgaris, as it’s more commonly known medically, begins when pores become clogged by excess oil and dead skin cells.
Acne is the most common skin problem in the US, impacting up to 50 million people each year. Approximately 85 percent of people between the ages of 12 and 24 have some form of acne. According to a recent survey, 50% of those aged 20–29 had acne, 35% of those aged 30-39 had acne, 26% of those aged 40–49 had acne, and 15% of those over 50 had acne.
Those statistics may appear discouraging, but there is a silver lining: because acne is so common, there are more research studies on the various types of acne and treatment choices accessible than ever before.
Pimples are more than just a sign of puberty. Adult acne is also on the rise, and there are a wide range of ways acne can occur on your skin.
So, what exactly is acne? It’s a common skin ailment that happens when hair follicles become clogged by oil and dead skin cells. It affects up to 50 million Americans. Acne can develop for a variety of reasons, including inflammation, stress, food, drugs, germs on the skin, genetics, and hormonal changes.
Acne is classified into three categories: Here’s more information on each:
Acne Cystica
What it looks like: These are deep, below-the-surface lumps with no head that generally appear along the jawline and chin in women. When they heal, they might be red and painful and leave black blotches and scars.
Why it occurs: This type of acne occurs when you have oily skin and a combination of oil (sebum), debris, and dead skin becomes stuck within the pores. This happens frequently during the week before or after your menstruation, as estrogen can trigger an increase in sebum production.
Blackheads/Whiteheads
What it appears to be: Blackheads are black because they are open comedones (also known as bumps) on your skin, and contact with the air causes the contents of the pore to oxidize, or darken. Whiteheads are closed comedones, which means the impurities are beneath the skin and do not come into contact with the air, leaving the contents white-ish in color. These are both considered non-inflammatory lesions.
Why it happens: Both of these pimples are caused by “sebum plugs” in a pore or hair follicle. A blackhead is made up of sebum, germs, and dead skin cells that clog the pore’s opening. A whitehead occurs when a blocked pore closes. Both are more common in the T-zone since it is the area of the skin with the most sebaceous glands.
Blemishes on the body
What it looks like: Acne isn’t always restricted to your face; it can also appear from your neck down—think “back-ne”—and in areas where sports bras trap sweat.
Why it happens: Even if you have a clear complexion, you may still experience body breakouts caused by the same culprits as on the face (dirt, oil, sweat, and dead skin).
You have acne if you have any of the following symptoms:
On your face, chest, neck, shoulders, neck, or back, you may notice red areas or puffy skin that may be pus-filled.
Blackheads are dark-colored patches with an opening in the center.
Small whiteheads or white lumps that do not appear to have an opening.
Papules that are red, painful, and filled with pus
Pustules are pimples that have pus on the surface.
Lumps are huge, solid masses that might be tender or irritated.
Cystic lesions are painful, pus-filled tumors under the skin.
If you have acne, the most typical causes are clogged pores, an excess of oil, germs, and inflammation.
However, there are other factors that can contribute to breakouts. Stress, hormones, your menstrual cycle, the products you use on your face and skin, food, and drugs, such as steroids and lithium, can all cause acne.
Your skin’s health might also be an indicator of your overall health. To that end, you should consult a doctor if you are also suffering from hair loss, excessive hair growth, irregular periods, or weight changes, as these can be symptoms of an endocrine issue such as polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Make an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist if you’re suffering from acne. During this skin examination, your dermatologist will examine your skin closely, noting where your outbreaks are occurring, discussing the treatments you’ve tried, and determining what type of acne you have. Acne is classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on the number and form of skin lesions.
After your dermatologist examines your skin, you’ll leave with a customized treatment plan that’s right for you. The goal is to treat your lesions, avoid scarring and dark areas, and relieve any additional symptoms that are affecting you.
Your acne therapy is mostly determined by the type you have. Here are some common acne treatment methods:
Acne Cystica
To treat your skin, stick to a consistent skincare program. Wash your face twice a day with a cleanser that contains a chemical exfoliator, such as glycolic acid, and apply a retinoid at night. If that doesn’t work, a prescription may be necessary.
Rx route: The FDA has approved several birth control tablets containing estrogen and progestin for the treatment of acne. The use of these hormones can reduce the amount of acne-causing androgens like testosterone, which stimulate the sebaceous gland to generate more sebum. Although spironolactone, a blood pressure drug, is not FDA-approved for the treatment of acne, it may be prescribed off-label because it works similarly for women by suppressing androgens but without hormones. In more severe cases, the gold standard is isotretinoin (Accutane), which has the potential to put cystic acne into remission. (Women who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant should avoid isotretinoin since it might cause birth abnormalities.)
Blackheads and whiteheads
What to do: Use a salicylic acid-containing treatment to enter and unclog the pores. Consider scheduling a facial with a professional who can do the necessary extractions to keep your skin clear.
blemishes on the body
What to do: To get rid of blemish-causing germs, use an exfoliating benzoyl peroxide cleanser on your skin, especially after workouts.
Try the following five acne-prevention tips:
Change your diet. High-glycemic diets can raise insulin levels and modify the way estrogen is digested, messing with your hormones. Try eliminating these and see if your skin improves. If not, notify your dermatologist.
Reduce your stress. A rise in cortisol (a stress hormone) might cause the oil glands to overwork, so try to reduce stress in your life.
Go to bed. Poor sleep can aggravate skin disorders such as eczema and acne. Get the seven to nine hours of sleep suggested by the National Sleep Foundation.
Less is more in this case. Don’t try everything in your medication cupboard at once to get rid of the spots. A simplified routine is actually the most effective strategy to treat irritated skin.
Avoid using oil. Look for goods that are both oil-free and “noncomedogenic,” which indicates they will not clog your pores.
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