Acne and It's Different Types

Acne, or a big pimple, can be an annoying and persistent problem that affects individuals of all ages. Did you know that learning how to manage it can prevent severe breakouts or scarring in the future? In this series of articles, we will discuss everything about acne, including its causes, types, treatments, and more. So, stay tuned to learn how to take care of acne as soon as it appears.

Before delving into the details, it is crucial to understand how acne begins to form.

Image from Wikipedia

Our skin is composed of multiple layers of cells called Keratinocytes, with the topmost layer sloughing off as they die. The layer below it becomes the topmost layer, and a new layer of Keratinocytes starts to form as the bottommost layer of our skin. Our hair grows from the follicle and travels through a pore that is connected to a sebaceous gland that produces oil. This oil is created to naturally hydrate and nourish the skin.

Sometimes, the keratinocytes can fill up the pores and plug them, preventing keratinocyte shedding. The accumulation of sebum and skin cells inside the pore, coupled with the drop in oxygen levels, can lead to the growth of Propionibacterium acnes (P.acnes), anaerobic bacteria that thrive in oxygen-deprived environments. This mixture of dead cells, bacteria, and oil can cause inflammation, characterized by swelling, heat, and pain.

Today, acne treatments aim to clear out the pores to oxygenate them, offer gentle exfoliation, and regulate sebum production to prevent the growth of P. acnes. In future articles, I will discuss different types of treatments and provide my recommendations.                                  

There are two categories for Acne:

1. Inflammatory Acne
1. Papules- Small red bumps on the skin, and feel tender
2. Pustules- Are small but filled with white/yellow pus on top and appear red on the bottom
3. Nodeules- Larger, hard pus filled lesions that go deep into the skin that can be painful if touched
4. Large cysts- Even more extensive, painful, pus-filled cysts that are so deep they can form scars upon healing.

Popping these types of acne due to pressure on the walls of the skin or popping them can cause the fluid to spread through other pores and trigger an immune reaction that results in further inflammation and the spread of bacteria. Our kind advice is to avoid popping them.

      2.  Noninflammatory Acne

1. White heads- They’re called closed comedones. Often, the trapped pus mixture remains underneath the unbroken layer of skin.
2. Black heads- They’re called open comedones. The top part of the pus is exposed to the air, and like an exposed potato or apple, it oxidizes and becomes black.

In conclusion, acne can be an annoying problem, but with proper management, you can prevent severe breakouts or scarring in the future. In the upcoming weeks, we will dive deeper into their causes and care management. So, stay tuned!

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Sources:

Wikipedia “Sebaceous gland”

John Hopkins Medicine: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/acne

Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22765-inflammatory-acne

National Institutes of Health: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/acne

American Academy of Dermatology: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/diy/types-breakouts