4-Grades of Acne, Understanding Acne

Acne itself can be very complex and everyone's acne is different. That's because there are different types and stages of acne. Acne will even be different at different life periods. But knowing about your acne type, stage, and severity will help you determine the best, most customized treatment for your skin.

Grade I:

This mildest grade of acne consists primarily of blackheads and whiteheads that suffer no inflammation or reddening and are most often seen in adolescents in the nose and forehead.

Grade II:

Moderate acne. Blackheads and whitehead can break out in greater numbers. They can come in larger papules with some appearing as large pustules with slight inflammation getting obvious. The outbreaks now appear on the cheeks, chin, and jaw in addition to the nose and foreheads.

Grade III:

Considered severe and is often Grade II left untreated and made to worsen by squeezing the pimples and maintaining the oily dirty face that attracted those bacteria at the onset. The main difference now is the level of inflammation with the skin suffering Grade III acne exhibiting more profuse reddening and a greater number of inflamed papules and pustules. This is the grade when an infection spreads and becomes deeper and the risk of scarring gets highest.

Grade IV:

The most serious and is Grade III left untreated. The condition is medically referred to as nodulocystic or cystic acne where the skin displays numerous pustules, papules, pustules, with large cysts. There is severe inflammation and pain as cystic acne is very painful. Often the infection spreads beyond the face and into the Neck, shoulders and upper arms. The deep infection makes scarring inevitable and may even require cosmetic surgery after to restore a decent looking skin.

Causes of Acne

Genetics/Adolescent
Grade I-IV

This type of Acne at any grade is not curable, ONLY controllable if and only the patient follows the recommended treatments and routine regime at home or when patients adolescent “changes” stop.

Cosmetic/SelfInduced/Picking/Sports
Grade I-III

This type of acne is curable and controllable, if and only the patient discontinues use of what is causing the acne or stops physically manipulating the skin.

Hormonal/Stress/Birth-Control/ Climate Changes
Grade II-IV

This type of Acne at any grade is not curable, ONLY controllable if and only the patient follows the recommended treatments and routine regime at home. With the correct hormonal changes, acne can also be controllable.

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