Archive for September 3, 2010

Stop, if you are in a habit of buying a new face wash, cream, scrub, soap, or any other cosmetic or antibiotic every time it claims to clear your skin by removing acne. Before choosing any solution, it’s really important to know the acne type. There is nothing that suits all!

Acne treatment depends on many factors like skin type, acne type, and its severity. Although acne is one of the most common skin problems, still you need to know the type you are suffering from to choose the best and effective course of treatment.

Here is a list of some common acne types that range from mild to severe:

• Acne Vulgaris: The most common acne type includes blackheads, whiteheads, boils, and lumps that are mild and develop when pores on the skin are partially or fully blocked, trapping the dead skin cells, oil, dirt, and bacteria. Acne vulgaris also includes large red spots and pus-filled sores that are quite painful and may last for 20-30 days if not treated properly. Untreated sores can cause severe infection as they can flare up repeatedly.

• Acne Conglobata: It is a big pus-filled breakout with a lump under the skin, which results from pustules or boils that get deteriorated with time. This is generally found in young men.

• Acne Rosascea: It appears mostly in men in the form of red rash on the forehead, cheeks, chin, and nose, and can turn into bumps and pimples if left untreated.

• Perioral Dermatitis: These are tiny pus-filled yellow pimples around the cheeks and chin, which commonly appear in women due to the use of bad quality facial creams, bleaches, or strong irritants that cause intense itching.

• Acne Fulminanas: It is an ulcerating breakout that occurs in men, accompanied with fever, and causes ache in joints. It occurs when a severe acne or cyst is left untreated.

• Nodulocystic Acne: It is the most severe, painful, and inflammatory breakout. It can affect the chest, shoulders, arms, and the entire back. Timely medical treatment is required as it is really difficult to control the infection caused by the acne.

Most breakouts like blackheads, whiteheads, and boils that erupt every now and then do not generally progress beyond a certain stage before being eaten up by the body’s defense mechanism.

Mild and moderate acne can be treated at home, but you should immediately consult a dermatologist in the case of a severe or ulcerating breakout. Severe breakouts and cysts are rare, but they need to be treated at once as they may cause infection of the skin tissues and leave scars.

Almost everyone has some or other type of acne. You should not select a general course of treatment. Understanding your acne - what it is and acne type helps you choose the best and most effective treatment. Moreover, it helps you in selecting cosmetics that suit your skin. Remember, your skin is too sensitive for experimentation!