Acne: Types, Causes, Prevention, Treatment, and More

If you’re struggling with acne, you’re not alone. In fact, acne is one of the most common skin conditions, affecting about 50 to 80 percent of all teenagers and young adults in the United States. Fortunately, there are many different treatment options available to help improve your skin and reduce the severity of your breakouts, including both natural and medical approaches. In this guide on acne, we’ll cover everything from acne types to acne prevention, treatment options, and more.

What Is Acne?

Acne is an extremely common skin disorder. It usually affects adolescents but can persist into adulthood in about 25% of cases. Acne is not just a cosmetic problem; it can have psychological effects on people of all ages. 

In most cases, acne means pimples or blackheads. But acne can also refer to other conditions that are more severe such as cysts or even nodules (benign tumors). Although men get acne too, many dermatologists believe that women tend to suffer from it more because they have higher levels of testosterone.

Although it can be difficult to manage acne, there are many treatment options available. You should start with over-the-counter treatments that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid (or both). If those don’t work, you can try antibiotics (like erythromycin) or prescription medications like Spironolactone or Accutane. 

Antibiotics have been used for years to treat acne; however, they have some potentially serious side effects. The newer medication called isotretinoin is taken in pill form only. It is highly effective but also comes with a set of serious risks. Severe acne sufferers who fail to respond to other treatments may benefit from Isotretinoin therapy.

The Difference Between Blackheads and Whiteheads

A blackhead is a pore that has become clogged with oil and dirt. A whitehead is similar but it’s also covered by a thin layer of skin; whiteheads are more difficult to treat than blackheads because they stay clogged for longer periods of time. 

To prevent these pores from becoming blocked in the first place, follow a cleansing routine every day that includes both an acne treatment product like Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser and an exfoliant like Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream. When you get out of bed in the morning, rinse your face with warm water then apply your daily cleanser.

Papules, Pustules, Nodules and Cysts

Knowing what your acne looks like will help you better understand how to treat it. For example, papules are small red bumps that are less than 2 millimeters in diameter; pustules tend to have a white or yellow center; nodules are hard red bumps or swellings that range from 5 to 20 millimeters in diameter; cysts are large painful bumps with visible hills and valleys. 

While each type of pimple requires its own treatment plan, there is one common mistake that people make when trying to clear up their skin: they think all acne is caused by bacteria. This may be true for papules, pustules and cysts but not for nodular acne.

 If you have cystic acne, you may be asking yourself is my acne caused by bacteria? The answer is no. Cystic acne occurs when hair follicles become clogged with sebum oil or dead skin cells that have been shed from your skin. When these oil glands become blocked, they get inflamed and large whiteheads form on top of each pore. These bumps are not a result of bacterial infection.

The Many Different Kinds of Acne Breakouts Acne breakouts have many names, but you can think of them all as pimples. Papules are pimples that appear as small red bumps. Pustules are similar to papules, but with white heads that contain pus at their center. 

Pimples called nodules form when oil deep within a pore becomes impacted. Cysts develop when bacteria infects a pore opening up larger pockets of pus under your skin. Each type of acne breakout requires its own acne treatment because different factors cause each one.

When an acne breakout appears, you might be tempted to squeeze it or pick at it. Don’t do either of these things. Squeezing pimples can lead to ruptured capillaries, causing your skin to look red and sore long after your initial blemish heals. 

Picking at your acne can cause scars that may last a lifetime. When you spot an acne breakout in its early stages, apply ice to constrict your pores as much as possible without aggravating your skin more than necessary. Once a pimple forms however there is nothing you can do but let it heal on its own.

Who Gets Acne?

Acne is common among teens, but it's not just a teen problem. It can strike people of all ages—including kids as young as 3. It can be a tough condition to manage because there's no one-size-fits-all acne treatment that works for everyone. However, you don't have to live with acne—there are lots of ways to treat it effectively. First you'll need to figure out what type of acne you have so that you can find the right treatment options for your skin type.

There are three main types of acne—comedonal acne, inflammatory acne, and nodular or cystic acne. Comedonal acne is usually characterized by non-inflamed whiteheads or blackheads (which form when dirt gets trapped in pores). This type of acne isn't usually serious but can cause scarring. 

Inflammatory acne is often red bumps that might be tender to touch. This type can lead to large pustules that may need treatment with antibiotics or in rare cases, surgery. The third type is nodular or cystic acne which tends to appear suddenly on your skin as large reddish lumps that come to a head before breaking open and scabbing over.

What are the risk factors for developing acne?

A risk factor is anything that increases your chances of getting a disease such as acne. People who have oily skin are more likely to develop acne than people with dry skin. If you often touch your face, you may have more acne than someone who doesn't touch his or her face. 

Acne also tends to run in families; if one of your parents had acne while growing up, there's a good chance you'll get it too. This type of acne is thought to be caused by genetic factors — when it runs in families — rather than external factors such as stress or other issues.

 Other risk factors for acne include overproduction of certain hormones such as testosterone (which stimulate sebum production), rapid growth spurts during puberty, pregnancy and menstruation, birth control pills and other medications. 

Acne also is more common in warm weather when sweating increases because moisture from sweat can clog pores. And stress also may trigger outbreaks in some people. While anyone can develop acne at any age, it's most common among young adults between the ages of 15 to 24 years old. This is called acne vulgaris or common acne because it's not caused by another disease such as cystic acne that affects deeper layers of skin.

Getting a diagnosis

The first step toward dealing with acne is getting a diagnosis from your dermatologist. She can do a physical exam, take a medical history and make sure you don’t have any other health problems that could be contributing to your acne. It’s also important to get a diagnosis because it will help you determine what type of treatment may work best for you. 

If your skin is showing signs of more than one type of acne—for example, blackheads in addition to pimples—you might need different treatments for each symptom.

 There are two main types of acne. The first is acne vulgaris. It’s generally a milder form of acne that can affect anyone with oily skin or hair. It most often appears on your face, but it can also develop on your back, chest and shoulders. The second type is called cystic acne. This kind of acne is deeper in your skin and more likely to cause scars if you don’t get treatment for it quickly. 

Cystic acne often starts in puberty but can continue into adulthood as well. Both types of acne can be treated with over-the-counter products or prescription medications. But when acne doesn’t respond to these treatments, it may be time to see a dermatologist who can prescribe stronger medication. 

She may also recommend light therapy, chemical peels or laser treatments. When those fail, she might recommend an oral medication such as isotretinoin (commonly known by its brand name Accutane).

Acne affects nearly 50 million Americans every year—and 90 percent of them are between 12 and 24 years old. Acne affects nearly 50 million Americans every year—and 90 percent of them are between 12 and 24 years old. If you have acne during your teen years, there's no need to panic!

How Do You Prevent Getting Acne?

There are different ways of preventing acne from happening. One is by making sure to keep your skin clean. Wash your face twice a day with soap and water. This helps wash away dead skin cells, excess oil, bacteria (which causes acne), and dirt that clogs up pores. 

It’s also important to avoid touching your face when possible—make sure to wash your hands before putting them on your face. Touching your face can spread dead skin cells around and make acne worse. Most people think of keeping their hands off their faces as common sense, but teens especially touch their faces a lot throughout the day!

 If you feel like your acne is not improving or you keep getting breakouts, it may be time to look for professional help. If your acne is severe enough that it’s making you depressed or uncomfortable in social situations, it’s worth consulting a dermatologist. 

A dermatologist can prescribe different types of medications depending on what type of acne you have. For example, there are pills called retinoids that are available by prescription that can reduce oil production and kill bacteria.

How to Treat Skin with Acne

Although acne is a skin condition that can be treated successfully without medication, there are cases where oral antibiotics or prescription topical medications are necessary. Ask your doctor for advice on which is best for you. 

In addition to treating acne outbreaks with prescription drugs or over-the-counter products that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, certain lifestyle changes will help you prevent pimples in their tracks. Let’s take a look at some of them here.

It is not a good idea to pop pimples as they can cause scarring. Applying an acne product containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to your skin may help prevent future breakouts by killing bacteria. If you take oral antibiotics, remember that it will take several weeks for them to work so don’t stop taking them right away if you still have pimples. 

Make sure to use your medication as directed by your doctor and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. And stay out of direct sunlight when using products with benzoyl peroxide as they may cause sun sensitivity and sunburns.

Natural Remedies for Skin Purification

Purification is a complex word that means to make clean. The word comes from a Latin term meaning cleanse or purge. Purifying your skin using natural ingredients not only helps to prevent acne, but also promotes healthy skin by removing oil buildup and clogged pores on your face.

A diet rich in whole grains; fruits; vegetables; lean meats; low-fat dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt; nuts such as almonds or cashews are recommended foods for overall health. It is best to choose plant-based remedies when possible because they tend to have fewer side effects than chemical-based ones.

 Always remember to test new skin care products on a small area before applying it all over your face. Although natural ingredients do not have harmful side effects in most cases, there are still some that may cause an allergic reaction to certain people. 

It is therefore recommended that you carry out a patch test on your skin by rubbing a small amount of product onto a specific area for 48 hours. During that time period check for any adverse reactions such as redness or itching. In case none develops, use it in full without worrying about irritation or side effects. 

Finally, always make sure to wash your hands after using any facial products because even natural ones may cause irritation if they are accidentally transferred from your face onto other parts of your body while you touch them with unwashed hands.

Over-the-Counter Pimple Creams vs Professional Treatments

A dermatologist can prescribe a topical medication that’s right for your acne. These include topical antibiotics like erythromycin or clindamycin, as well as retinoids (such as adapalene or tretinoin) and non-retinoid treatments such as azelaic acid. 

Topical treatments are effective but may take longer to work than over-the-counter products due to prescription medications often containing more concentrated doses of active ingredients than what is found in OTC products, explains New York City dermatologist Dendy Engelman. Dermatologists usually prescribe these types of medicated pimple creams when over-the-counter remedies haven’t worked.

 Acne treatments can be categorised into two broad groups. The first type are OTC (over-the-counter) treatments that you can purchase from a drugstore or supermarket. The second type of acne treatment is in fact prescribed by your dermatologist as it contains a higher concentration of acne-fighting ingredients than over-the-counter options do. 

Most prescription medications for acne contain ingredients such as antibiotics, retinoids (which decrease oil production in skin), hormonal agents like spironolactone, and other active ingredients proven to fight breakouts effectively.

Summary about Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that affects both males and females of all ages. However, acne is most often found in adolescents who are transitioning into adulthood. Many wonder what acne means or how it impacts their lives. 

There are various types of acne, but generally speaking it's caused by dead skin cells mixing with oil to form a plug in your pores. This can lead to bacterial growth if not cleaned out regularly. Other factors such as stress, certain foods (such as chocolate), some medications or contact with certain chemicals can also cause pimples to appear. 

Fortunately you don't have to deal with acne alone. With proper treatment from an experienced dermatologist or other medical professional you may find that your pimples disappear soon after starting treatment or may be able to prevent future breakouts altogether.