There are six types of acne:
Nodules
Located deep within the skin, nodules are inflamed, hard, and painful lumps with no visible center or head. Nodules are located deep within the skin and develop when clogged pores damage cells and tissues deep within the skin’s surface. If not treated on time, nodules can cause scarring or dark spots.
Cysts
Located deep within the skin, cysts are red or white, large, soft, and painful lumps filled with pus. Cysts are located even more rooted in the skin than nodules and often lead to skin scarring.
Papules
Located under the skin’s surface, papules are tender, pink, raised, and solid bumps with swollen and red skin around them. They have no visible center and do not appear to be widened, unlike whiteheads and blackheads.
Pustules (Pimples)
With a defined circular center filled with yellowish or white pus, pustules are large and tender bumps with a pink or red base. They are larger and more inflamed when compared to whiteheads.
Whiteheads
Also known as closed comedones, whiteheads are flesh or whitish colored, small bumps or spots with a white circular center surrounded by a red halo. Hair trapped or emerging from the center within the blemish is common in whiteheads.
Blackheads
Also known as open comedones, blackheads are black or dark-colored small spots that are slightly raised. The center of the blackhead is darker than the surrounding area, while the skin around is healthy.
Steps you can take to cure and prevent acne:
Various factors can cause acne. Your routine, what you eat, your stress levels, puberty, and genes all contribute to how your skin reacts. But as prevention is better than cure, here are 10 tips on how to take care if you have normal to acne-prone skin.
- 1. Wash face twice daily with a gentle cleanser. Do not skip washing your face before going to bed.
- 2. Use clean hands to apply the prescribed treatment, moisturizer, and sunscreen protection (SPF30).
- 3. Repeat sunscreen protection every two hours while out in the sun as it’ll protect the skin from hyperpigmentation and melasma.
- 4. Change your pillowcase once every three days or once a week.
- 5. Always be gentle and patient with your skin. Gently exfoliate with soft scrub beads. Do not use battery-powered facial scrubbers or brushes.
- 6. Do not squeeze a pimple, and let it dry out on its own.
- 7. Whiteheads and blackheads can be removed manually after steaming your face and gently pushing it out. Do not use force as it’ll puncture the tissue beneath, causing further irritation and pimples.
- 8. Drink water to wash out toxins and eat more citrus rich fruits and leafy greens with every meal to strengthen and protect skin cells.
- 9. Do not go overboard with multiple home remedies or prescribed medications. Be consistent with one treatment/regimen for a month. If it doesn’t work, leave your skin alone for a week before trying the next best thing.
- 10. Depending on the severity, get treatment at an early stage.
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Dr. Soma Sarkar is a renowned celebrity cosmetologist and dermatologist who has been practicing since 2007. She has a niche in training doctors on anti-aging procedures all across the globe. She is also featured in magazines like Femina, Vogue, Grazia, and a lot more for her work. Currently, Dr. Soma is working as a Medical Director at The Skin Inn, Bandra West. You are most welcome to drop your queries related to skin. Stop Covering & Start Solving!
Dr. Soma Sarkar
MBBS, MD - Dermatology
Aesthetic Dermatologist, 12 Years Experience Overall (12 years as a specialist)