Acne

Overview
Understanding acne can help you choose the right acne treatment; the first step is to figure out why pimples are showing up.

How Acne Forms
Follicles, also known as pores, get blocked when dead skin cells and sebum (oil from the sebaceous glands) mix. When this happens, a very sticky substance is formed, and it clogs the pore so nothing can get out. Bacteria get trapped in the pore, and they begin to multiply because the closed environment provides a favorable environment for bacterial growth. This growth in bacteria is the reason why the skin is painful and red.

Two Types of Acne
Non-inflamed Acne - Blackheads and Whiteheads make up the bulk of this category.

Whiteheads occur when trapped sebum and bacteria remain below the skin surface. They are small and often difficult to see.

Blackheads occur when the sebum is exposed to the air and it oxidizes and turns a black color. These pimples take a while to disappear.

It is important to leave these non-inflamed acne untouched, because disturbing them can cause immediate inflammation. Therefore, unless you have a good action plan, squeezing out blackheads and whiteheads is not the best solution.

Inflamed Acne
These pimples you must be cautious about, because they have potential to scar the skin. These pimples occur when there is a break in the follicular wall, and the pore becomes inflamed. After a few days, white blood cells move to the surface of the skin, which is why sometimes your pimple has a white tip. There are varying degrees of inflamed acne, from mild to cystic acne. If you have severe acne, you need to consult your Dermatologist on your plan of action to treat your pimples.