Acne forms in areas of the body with the most sebaceous glands (hair follicles). Acne is one of the most common skin diseases.

Acne happens when the sebaceous glands (hair follicles) become entangled with oil and dead skin cells, causing clogged pores on parts of the body except for the palms and feet. There are various degrees of acne: mild, moderate and severe. 

Mild acne can be in the form of opened or closed comedo, where the pore is clogged close to the surface of the skin.

Blackheads are typically considered as opened comedo, which means that the surface of the pore is opened. These are called blackheads due to the fact that sebum (oil from our skin) is opened at the skin’s surface and once it meets with the surrounding hair the process of oxidation begins and becomes dark colored.

Whiteheads, on the other hand, are formed underneath the skin which qualifies them as closed comedo. The pores are clogged but not opened, so there is no oxidation reaction, leaving it lighter in color. 

Pimples occur once the blackhead or whitehead becomes infected by the common bacteria, Propionibacterium, which is naturally found on the skin. The bacteria is usually used to help make the skin waterproof. When infected with bacteria, it can cause the pimples to look red and swollen, and in some cases, they will eventually burst, leaving an acne lesion.

Moderate acne comes in the form of papules and pustules. Papules are closed, small, pink and tender bumps surrounded by skin inflammation. However, a Pustule is filled with pus on top and is red under the skin. It is highly recommended to not pop a pustule because of the chance of scarring.

Severe acne is cysts and nodules. Cysts are large bumps filled with fluid and they are very painful and can cause permanent scarring. Nodules are larger pimples and more severe than papules. They are not surface acne and they affect the deeper layers of the skin. 

Treatments

A good detox, both physically and nutritionally, will help reduce the chances of more serious acne flaring up. Scheduling a proper facial or deep cleaning helps cleanse parts of the skin that regular maintenance might miss. But proper cleanliness and maintenance of washing are still important as it reduces the chances of build-up and/or clogging of pores. Drinking plenty of water, and avoiding fried, spicy, gluten, and/or processed foods helps reduce oil and residue buildup in the skin. Using particular cosmetic products is also known to increase the chances of acne due to the ingredients themselves and the residue left after use. Proper removal and more limited use of makeup will help reduce flare-ups as well. Some people may be more susceptible or sensitive to certain foods and ingredients so if the acne is still persisting, a proper diagnosis with a specialist to highlight the individualiness of the skin is recommended. 

Other treatments may consist of oxygen treatments and chemical peels. Oxygen can be used to aid in the cleansing process, but also helps invigorate the skin, increasing the body’s healing process to effectively expel toxins and oils from the skin, or scaring left from removals and bursts. Chemical peels help breakdown harden or more solid buildup and the use of specialized modalities allows practitioners to better reach deeper in the skin’s layers and clean the pores fully.

Increasing intake of certain nutrients may help reduce acne, aloe vera, asparagus, cabbage, and spinach are great vegetables that contain lots of useful vitamins that help relieve acne problems. 

Seeking a specialist or practitioner is the best way to not only identify what is causing your particular acne, but also to figure out ways to prevent future flare-ups, and treat current acne successfully with certain products and care. Everyone’s skin is different and as such each person’s skin care should be tailored to them.

Information by: Quynh Chau Stone, Dermascope 2013