Name That Spot

Ah, acne! Sounds like something straight out of a horror movie, doesn’t it? And, when you are a teenager, it honestly feels like that too. Plus, the strangest part is that there are multiple different types of acne. So, you have to read up on all of them and then look after your skin. When you read up on the different types of acne, you will come to see that there are certain types of acne that trouble you most. These will likely be the ones your skin is most prone or sensitive to. Once you understand that, you can then dive deep into the solutions. As always, we’re going to make it easier for you.

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Acne Vulgaris, commonly known as acne, affects a majority of people in their teenage years. There are, of course, some outliers, but acne is most prominent among teenagers. And there is a reason for that. It is because different types of acne occur due to excessive sebum supply, clogged pores, and hormones. And, let us just say teenagers experience a desert storm of hormones across those years. But all is not lost. There are simple methods you can use to keep off acne vulgaris. But you need to understand the different types of acne first.

What is Acne Vulgaris? Why does it sound so weird?

"Acne vulgaris is the formation of comedones, papules, pustules, nodules, and/or cysts as a result of obstruction and inflammation of pilosebaceous units (hair follicles and their accompanying sebaceous gland)". Simply put, acne is a commonly used term to describe the different conditions that occur as the result of a breakout.

How does it occur?

Your skin is full of pores that effectively help your skin breathe. However, due to several different reasons, they may get clogged at times. These clogged pores are the primary cause of several types of acne on face. That is because your skin does not get a chance to breathe. Because of that, it cannot fight off the pimple-causing germs. The best way to deal with that would be to invest in a gentle, foaming face wash. The CLEAN & CLEAR® Foaming Face Wash, for example, goes directly to the source of pimple-causing germs and gives you happier skin in just one wash. Owing to its mild and safe formula, it gently removes excess oil and helps prevent common skin conditions. So, you have Selfie Ready Skin Every Day.

What are the different types?

Acne types are further divided based on its focus area, severity, and appearance. The primary point of distinction is on the degree of inflammation. Blackheads and whiteheads are non-inflammatory, whereas the others are all inflammatory. The different types of acne are, therefore, blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules, cysts. Let us understand each of these in detail.

Comedones

Comedones are perhaps the most commonly found acne type. Here, the hair follicle becomes clogged with oil and dead skin cells. When these clogs are open, you experience blackheads. When they are closed, they are whiteheads. Blackheads and whiteheads are mild and non-inflammatory. So, they are comparatively easy to treat. But, there is a third type of comedone that is inflamed - papules. It is more severe than the other two. Let us take a look at them all.

Blackheads

Blackheads are comedones that remain open at the surface. Like other comedones, they have excessive oil and dead skin cells filled in. Because of that, they have a firm and sharp appearance that stands out. Blackheads can be annoying to deal with, but they are comparatively easy to treat. That is because they are one of the most common acne type. That is why over-the-counter products are useful. The CLEAN & CLEAR® Blackhead Clearing Daily Scrub, for example, works wonders and helps in removing blackheads.

Whiteheads

Whiteheads are comedones that remain closed at the surface of the skin. That primarily happens when oil and dead skin cells prevent the clogged hair follicle from opening. There is a slight difference between blackheads and whiteheads. And that is why a lot of their treatment methods tend to overlap. The CLEAN & CLEAR® Blackhead Clearing Daily Scrub is a popular choice used by many.

Papules

Papules are a type of comedones that become inflamed. Here, there are small red or pink bumps that form on the skin. As you may imagine, this acne type is sensitive to the touch. And so, you have to handle it very carefully. You should avoid picking at it as it may worsen the inflammation. That, in turn, can lead to different types of acne scars. And, there is no point going down that rabbit hole.

Pustules

Another acne type that experiences inflammation are pustules. Pustules have the appearance of a whitehead with a red rim around the bump. This bump is the primary cause of concern. That is because it is full of white or yellow pus and bursting it can be harmful. So, it is best to avoid touching or squeezing pustules. Instead, it is best to use a gentle face wash, such as the CLEAN & CLEAR® Foaming Face Wash, to clean them up.

Nodules

Nodules are large inflamed bumps that develop deep within the skin. They are quite painful and are perhaps the first sign of severe acne. It is best to consult a dermatologist for treatment. That is because over-the-counter medications may not be powerful enough. And, if you do not treat nodules the right way, it might worsen the inflammation and cause severe types of acne scars. So, yeah, scary territory.

Cysts

Similar to nodules, cysts are a form of severe acne. They are large, pus-filled lesions that look similar to boils. You must get the right treatment for cysts as well as nodules. Otherwise, it may worsen the condition and can even lead to different types of acne scars. So, it is best to visit a dermatologist and get their expert opinion.

How can you treat them?

For most acne types, an effective over-the-counter products will do the trick. The CLEAN & CLEAR® Pimple Clearing Face Wash is a dermatologically tested* face wash . Made with Salicyclic Acid & Neem, it is highly effective against pimples.