The Many Forms Of Acne
As you may or may not know from your own experience acne is a pest for teenagers, and for some, continues to be a nuisance through adulthood. Whether you are beginning to treat your own acne, or currently struggling to treat your acne, it is important to understand the different types of acne to understand how to treat your own acne.
Acne vulgaris
Acne vulgaris is a skin condition that causes whiteheads, blackheads, papules, and pustules to form on the skin. It is caused by an excessive proliferation of P. acnes an otherwise beneficial bacteria for the skin. The best way to prevent Acne vulgaris is to keep your face clean. Wash your face often and with hot water, use an acne cleanser that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, change your pillowcase every few days, and avoid touching your face. If your acne does not respond, see a dermatologist get your skin clear, it's not worth dealing with acne when modern medicine safe treatment methods.
Whiteheads
Whiteheads are closed skin pores, clogged with sebum(skin oil), and dead cells. Regular cleaning, with light scrubbing, is the best way to prevent the buildup of oil and dead cells on the skin.
Blackheads
Blackheads are the exact thing as whiteheads, except the skin pore is open. The only reason blackheads are black, is because the material on the surface oxidizes and turns dark. Prevent blackheads that same way as whiteheads: regular cleaning.
Papules
A papule is a circular elevation of the skin, with no visible fluid. Papules are commonly thought to be the same as pimples, but the key difference is the lack of visible fluid. Avoid opening the skin on a papule, or it will get crusty and possibly bloody if you scratch enough. These typically go away by themselves after a week or so, but the process can be expedited through frequent cleaning.
Pustules (Pimples)
Pustules are probably the most famous symptom of acne, giving the least appealing appearance out of all the symptoms. Pustules are characterized by a small elevation of the skin, filled with white liquid, and closed with a very thin layer of skin. To prevent these, keep your skin clean, but not too dry. Avoid breaking the skin at all costs. Releasing the liquid inside will unleash a torrent of inflamed skin cells, and a very large amount of P. acnes, a recipe for more pustules.
Nodules
Nodules are very large pimples, characterized by a diameter of at least 5 mm, or a depth of 5 mm. As with pustules, take care to avoid popping, the nodule will heal by itself.
Body Acne
Body acne can be a serious concern for teenagers, but fortunately it's just as easy, or easier to treat. Body acne has all the same symptoms of Acne vulgaris, it's just not located on the face. Keep yourself clean from excess oil, and clean your body with a washcloth to strip off dead cells and excess oil. Change sheets more often than usual, and wear clothes to bed to keep the material touching your skin clean at all times.
