Acne is not only common among teenagers, but it also affects adults. Acne vulgaris or acne makes you look horrible and ugly and you try to stay away from any kind of social gathering. Some people even start hating themselves and go into depression. But, once the cause and type of acne are known, it can be treated with the right treatment. There are different treatment methods for different types of acne.

Acne Types

There are mainly four types of acne

Mild acne

Normally, you may notice this type of acne in adolescents in the form of whiteheads or blackheads on the nose or forehead, but without any swelling. If mild acne is not treated in its early phase, it can progress to moderate acne.

Moderate acne

You can categorize this type of acne by the presence of a large number of red and swollen pimples on the chest, face, and back. Moderate acne can be seen in grown-up women and teenagers. In women, you can find this type of acne on their chin, jaw line areas, and cheeks. In young boys, you can notice it on the forehead and nose, which can also affect the shoulders, chest, and back areas. Do not rub or press these pimples, otherwise you might end up having ugly scars. This type of acne must be treated as soon as possible to prevent them from spreading.

Severe acne

If you have a large number of inflamed and red pimples all over your neck, face, shoulders, chest and back, you certainly need the help of a dermatologist because you are affected with severe acne. Severe acne cannot be treated with over-the-counter medications; only a dermatologist can help you at this stage. You should never compress the nodules, as it will spread the infection and result in stubborn blemishes.

Cystic acne

Cystic acne is the most dangerous type of acne. If you are suffering from it, your skin will show pustules, nodules, and papules on the chest, neck, upper arms, shoulders, face, and back, besides cysts. Cysts develop beneath the surface of the skin and lead to unbearable pain. This acne type is extremely painful and must be treated by a dermatologist.

If you are suffering from any of the above acne types, visit a good dermatologist immediately for treatment. After getting the right treatment, your skin may show up scars that can be treated with home remedies, accompanied with a regular skin care regime. Make it a habit to cleanse, tone, and moisturize your skin regularly. This will make your skin look clean and healthy naturally. Do not use strong chemicals on your skin, which might cause an allergy and harm your skin. Always bank on herbal or natural products to avoid the recurrence of acne.

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!