Types of Acne

Acne is one of the most common skin problems, affecting 80% of individuals aged between 11 and 30 years old. Acne can manifest in various forms and types, and understanding them helps in making informed decisions about treatment and care steps. So, dear reader, keep reading the article to learn about the types of acne in detail.

Types of Acne in Detail

Acne is primarily classified into two types based on whether it causes inflammation of the surrounding skin or not: inflammatory acne and noninflammatory acne. Within these two main categories, there are other subtypes of acne.

Identifying the types of acne is crucial because determining the type you are dealing with is key to the proper treatment. Each type requires a different treatment approach to reduce the risk of long-term skin complications, such as scarring and pitting.

Generally, mild cases respond well to over-the-counter medications along with home care, while severe cases require a visit to the doctor. In the following paragraphs, we will delve into more details about these types.

Noninflammatory Acne

Noninflammatory acne is considered the least severe type of acne, as it does not cause troublesome complications. Here are its types:

1. Whiteheads

Whiteheads, medically known as closed comedones, appear when pores become completely blocked, resulting in small, white, or flesh-colored bumps on the skin. They typically have a white center surrounded by a red halo in fair-skinned individuals and a dark or purplish halo in darker skin tones. This type usually does not cause scarring.

2. Blackheads

Blackheads, known as open comedones, occur when pores become clogged with a mixture of sebum and dead skin cells, but the top remains open, exposing it to air and causing the appearance of black coloration. They typically appear as small dark spots and can sometimes protrude as raised bumps.

Inflammatory Acne

Inflammatory acne appears as inflamed bumps on the face, chest, or back. This type is more severe than noninflammatory acne, as it can cause a range of complications such as scarring and pitting. The main types of inflammatory acne include:

1. Papules

Papules are inflamed comedones that appear as small red or pink bumps that may be painful to the touch. Inflammation may worsen, leading to scarring if squeezed.

2. Pustules

Pustules are similar to papules but have a white or yellow pus-filled lesion with a red base. Squeezing them can result in scarring or dark spots on the skin.

3. Nodules

Nodules, or nodular acne, are large, hard, inflamed bumps that develop deep within the skin and are often painful. This type of acne requires medical attention as it can cause skin scarring.

4. Cysts

Cysts, or severe nodular acne, are large, painful, pus-filled bumps resembling boils. This type of acne is one of the most severe and requires medical intervention.

Tips

Acne is largely a hormonal condition, influenced by androgens (testosterone). Increased production of testosterone leads to increased sebum secretion from the sebaceous glands in the skin, resulting in clogged pores and acne formation.

Therefore, acne is commonly observed during adolescence and young adulthood. Additionally, it can appear around the time of the menstrual cycle due to hormonal activity.

Because identifying the type of acne and the precise cause behind its appearance is key to the correct treatment, your doctor may request a test for testosterone hormone or other analyses.

Blazma offers a total testosterone test to measure the level of testosterone bound or unbound to proteins. They also provide a variety of tests that your doctor may request, including the Roaccutane package. Your doctor may prescribe Roaccutane medication to treat acne, and in fact, using this medication requires undergoing tests to ensure the readiness of the body, especially liver and kidney functions. The Roaccutane package provides you with these important tests.