Finding an effective acne treatment depends on knowing the exact type of acne you have. In fact, this is how your dermatologist determines what type of treatment or medication to prescribe. They will first examine the severity of your acne, and then decide from there what kind of treatment to recommend to you.
While there are over the counter remedies for acne, it’s still best that you have a basic understanding of the different types of acne before anything else. This ensures that you do not overdo your treatment, or even know when to leave your acne alone.
There are different ways dermatologists determine the type of acne you have. One of the easiest to understand is the classification of acne based on how they look. That’s the classification we’ll be using in this article.
Comedones. They are typical and unobtrusive type of acne. There are two types of comedones, the closed comedone or whiteheads, and the open comedone or blackhead. In general, you don’t have to do anything about comedones, although you could use strips to remove them if you want.
Papules. They are the more visible type of acne, the one with reddish bumps. Home treatment for this type of acne includes applying toothpaste to the bump, which will help deflate it after a few applications.
Pustules. Pustules are quite similar to papules. The only difference lies in the size of the inflammation and the presence of pus in the bump in the case of pustules. Be careful when handling pustules as the eruption of these pustules could result in deep scarring and infection.
Nodules. Unlike other types of acne that occur on the skin’s surface, nodules develop underneath the skin. They are quite painful even with the slightest pressure applied on them. Squeezing nodules is not advised, and you should seek professional treatment if the nodules do not disappear after several months and continue to be painful.
Cystic Acne. This type of acne is somewhat a combination of nodules and pustules. Cystic acne is easily identified by the presence of large, painful, and pus-filled bumps. Some lesions in cystic acne can be as large as 2 inches. This type of acne can be difficult to treat, and thus you should consult your dermatologist if you believe you have cystic acne.
Acne Conglobata. This one’s a combination of nodules and cystic acne that may appear on the chest and buttocks. Acne conglobata is also difficult to treat and can be very painful, so a trip to a dermatologist would be recommended.
Acne comes in different forms, from the painless and relatively unobtrusive comedones, to the painful acne conglobata. Now that you know what the different types of acne are, it’s important also to learn when to try and treat the condition yourself or when to let your dermatologist work on it.
However, if you’re in doubt, it’s always best to seek your dermatologist’s help so you can be properly guided on the most effective acne treatment for you. This prevents the chances of scarring your face with unsuccessful and unsafe ways to get rid of your acne.
