Acne vulgaris is the medical name for common acne, a skin condition that causes pimples to form on the skin. The most commonly affected areas are the face, chest, shoulders, and back. Although breakouts can appear on other parts of the body. Acne primarily affects adolescents and teenagers. 85% of people aged 18 to 25 in the United States suffer from acne. However, some people deal with acne in adulthood. A study reported that 26% of men and 12% of women in their 40s in the United States have acne.
Types
With reference to form, acne can appear as different types of pimples on the skin, including:
- Whiteheads: These are closed comedones(clogged hair follicles) containing oil and dead skin cells.
- Blackheads: Dark, open comedones that are filled with oil and dead skin cells. They take on a darker appearance due to an irregular reflection of light from the clogged follicles.
- Pustules: Inflamed, pus-filled pimples that resemble a whitehead with a red ring around it.
- Papules: Small, pink bumps on the skin that are formed by inflamed comedones.
- Nodules: Large, firm, painful bumps that go deep into the skin.
- Cysts: Large, pus-filled pimples, resembling a boil and just as painful as nodules.
Based on severity, acne is classified into four grades:
- Grade One: This is the least severe type of acne. A person can be diagnosed with grade one or mild acne when they have whiteheads and blackheads with very few papules and pustules.
- Grade Two: This type of acne is classified as moderate. A person with moderate or pustular acne presents with multiple pustules and papules. Pustular acne mostly presents on the face.
- Grade Three: Also called nodulocystic acne or moderately severe acne, this is identified by the presence of several pustules and papules, and some inflamed nodules. Grade three acne affects the face, as well as the back and chest.
- Grade Four: Severe nodulocystic acne. It is identified by several large, painful, and inflamed nodules and pustules.
Acne could be differentiated in other ways. For instance, fungal acne is a form of acne caused by the build-up of yeast in the hair follicles.
Causes
Acne is caused by skin pores being clogged by oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. In adults, acne could be triggered by fluctuations in hormone levels during pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause. Apart from cases of hormonal changes, adult acne is typically caused by the same factors causing teenage acne. Some people report that certain food products such as dairy worsen their acne, while probiotics and vegetarian diets improved it. There’s yet to be any conclusive evidence regarding the significant effects of diet in treating acne.
Remedies
Dermatologists have advised against popping pimples to reduce the chances of scarring. Instead, medicated cleansers and creams should be applied to clear up mild acne. Home remedies such as tea tree oil, aloe vera gel, and homemade face masks have been helpful for some people. Be cautious when trying home remedies for acne. Some remedies may have adverse effects on people with sensitive skin.
Keeping a good skincare routine also helps with preventing and managing acne.
- Wash your face every night
- Wipe your makeup off at the end of the day
- Change your pillowcase regularly
- Avoid touching your face
- Use oil-free products
For people with severe acne, over-the-counter medications, and home remedies might not be effective. Visit a dermatologist to find out what works best for you. If you’ve dealt with acne from adolescence into adulthood, you may find that some of the products that helped when you were younger are no longer helpful. Visit your dermatologist for a new prescription.
Light Therapy
In recent years, visible light therapy/phototherapy has been used to treat mild to moderate acne outbreaks. Acne-causing bacteria are sensitive to certain lights. During phototherapy, blue or red light is shone on the skin, effectively killing the bacteria. Phototherapy also shrinks the oil glands in the skin, reducing the production of oil. Blue light therapy is most commonly used to treat acne because the wavelength of blue light has an antimicrobial effect which red light lacks, making it more effective at killing bacteria.
Light therapy is generally safe, but there are mild side effects. People who are sensitive to light, pregnant, or epileptic should avoid light therapy. You will be asked to avoid the sun and stop using some skincare products for up to two weeks before the treatment commences. You may also be given photosensitizers to make your skin more sensitive to the light. One session of light therapy could last for 15 to 30 minutes, and most of the pimples are cleared up in 8 to 10 sessions. You may experience some pain when the light shines on your skin, and redness, swelling, dryness, or hyperpigmentation for some time after the procedure. You will also have to stay out of the sun for a while after the procedure.
Odékúnlé Adéolá 