Acne Demystified: Understanding the Types, Causes, Symptoms and Solutions
A skin condition that is so prevalent amongst teenagers and adults, acne impacts the self-confidence of individuals severely. By knowing what is acne, its causes, impacts, symptoms, solutions, and medical treatments, one can easily fight acne. In this blog post, we will be talking about acne in detail. Let’s get started!
Index
● Introduction
● What is Acne?
● Types of Acne
● What Causes Acne
● Symptoms and Diagnosis
● Solutions for Acne
● Seeking Professional Help
● The Role of Dermatologists
● Treatment Plans by Dermatologists
● Conclusion
● Products Mentioned in the Blog
● FAQs
What is Acne?
Acne is a common skin condition that is caused when hair follicles under the skin get clogged. These pore blockages produce blackheads, whiteheads and other types of pimples. Acne can be found almost anywhere on your body, but you’ll most commonly notice breakouts on your face, neck, back, shoulders and chest. If you have acne, you might notice a mix of pimple types. It can give your skin a rough, uneven texture. Whiteheads and blackheads, both also referred to as comedones, are the most common acne lesions.
If it’s severe, we recommend you consult a dermatologist
Acne usually affects everyone at some point in their lifetime. It’s most common among teenagers and young adults undergoing hormonal changes. There’s no denying that acne can contribute to emotional distress. Acne and acne scars on your face and other visible body locations can affect self-esteem and self-confidence, and they can even contribute to feelings of anxiety or depression
Types of acne
There are several types of acne including -
1. Whiteheads
Clogged hair follicles that stay beneath the skin and produce a white bump.
2.Blackheads
Clogged follicles that reach the surface of the skin and open up. They look black on the skin surface because the air discolors the sebum.
3.Papules
Inflamed lesions that usually appear as small, pink bumps on the skin.
4.Pustules
White or yellow pus-filled pimples that may be red at the base.
5.Nodules
Large, painful solid lesions that are lodged deep within the skin.
What causes acne?
Clogged hair follicles or pores cause acne. Your hair follicles are small tubes that hold a strand of your hair. There are several glands that empty into your hair follicles. When too much sebum - an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands of your skin, is inside your hair follicle, a clog occurs. Your pores can clog due to:
● Excess sebum production
● Bacteria buildup in your pores
● Dead skin cells accumulate in your pores
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The various symptoms of acneinclude the formation of cysts, crusting of skin bumps, inflammatory small red bumps containing white or yellow pus, redness around the skin eruptions, scarring of skin, whiteheads and blackheads.
If you suspect you have acne, a good next step involves getting a diagnosis from a board-certified dermatologist. These healthcare professionals diagnose acnethrough physical examination and may use classification systems, such as acne grading scales, to assess its severity. They can develop a treatment plan that works best for you.
Solutions for Acne
With so many questions including how to get rid of acne, what causes acne etc. surfacing on the internet, we have come up with some skincare tips and tricks to help you fight acne.
1. Keep your skin clean
Gently wash your face up to twice daily. Choose a gentle, non-abrasive acne face wash like the Sebamed Clear Face Cleansing Bar. Formulated by dermatologists, helps to tackle skin impurities and combats oily skin, blackheads and whiteheads. A pH of 5.5 helps to promote healthy skin balance and maintains the skin’s softness and smoothness.
Its care complex formula with amino acids helps to prevent dryness
2. Moisturize your skin with a hydrating gel
After cleansing your skin using an acne face wash, use a gentle hydrating face care gel to lock the nourishment of your skin. The Sebamed Clear Face Care Gel is specially curated to counteract the problems of impure, oily and acne-prone skin. It hydrates, restores the barrier function of acne prone and helps to combat blackheads and pimples.
The best gift to oily and acne-prone skin
3. Stick to your treatment
Trying new acne treatments too often can irritate your skin and cause breakouts. Give your treatment time to work. It may take several weeks to a few months before you see a difference.
4.Keep your hands off
Touching your face throughout the day can cause acne to flare. While it can be tempting to pick, pop, or squeeze your acne, doing so will make the acnetake longer to clear and increase your risk for scarring.
5.Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen
Along with increasing your risk for skin cancer, the harmful UVA/UVB rays damage your skin and can worsen acne. Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen like the Sebamed Multi Protect Sun Lotion SPF 50 Plus offers triple protection against UVA/UVB rays and vitamin E safeguards against sun damage and aging.
It provides intense hydration and is water-resistant
Seeking Professional Help
It is crucial to consult a dermatologist for persistent or severe acne that does not respond to OTC treatments. Warning signs that indicate the need for professional help include intense pain, rapid acne progression, scarring, and emotional distress.
The Role of Dermatologists
Dermatologists are specialized medical professionals with expertise in diagnosing and treating various skin conditions like acne. They tailor treatment plans based on individual needs, considering factors like acne type, severity, and underlying causes.
Treatment Plans by Dermatologists
Treatment for acnegenerally depends on its severity.
1. Mild acne
In this case, the dermatologist may suggest your over-the-counter (OTC) medicated creams, cleansers, and spot treatments to help address pimples as they pop up. Common ingredients you’ll find in acne creams and gels include benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.
2. Moderate acne
In this case, a dermatologist may recommend prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics like erythromycin or clindamycin and retinoid such as retinol.
3. Severe acne
In this case, a dermatologist may recommend treatment that combines one or more of the following:
· Oral Antibiotics
· Benzoyl Peroxide
· Topical Antibiotics
· Topical Retinoids
Conclusion
Understanding acne and how to get rid of acne empowers you to take control of your skin health. By seeking professional guidance when necessary and making informed decisions about treatment, you can effectively manage your acne. It can be tough, but plenty of effective treatments can help ease breakouts and heal your skin. Always remember that self-confidence and self-care are the key components for your overall well-being.
Products Mentioned in the Blog
● Sebamed Clear Face Cleansing Bar
● Sebamed Multi Protect Sun Lotion SPF 50 Plus
FAQs
● Are there any specific factors that can worsen acne?
There are various factors that can worsen your acne. These include hormonal fluctuations, strong medications, stress, unhealthy diet and using comedogenic skincare or makeup products.
● How can I prevent acne breakouts?
Preventing acnebreakouts involves adopting a consistent skincare routine, maintaining a balanced diet, managing stress levels and avoiding habits that irritates the skin (such as picking or squeezing pimples)
● When should I see a dermatologist for acne?
You should consider seeing a dermatologist for acne if it is severe or painful. A dermatologist can provide personalized advice and treatment options tailored to your specific needs.