Acne can form several types of skin blemish, each with a distinct appearance and symptoms.
The following are common types of blemish associated with acne:
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whiteheads
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blackheads
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pustules, which are commonly called pimples
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papules
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cysts
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nodules
Each type of acne lesion requires a different treatment. Receiving prompt, correct treatment can reduce the risk of long-term skin complications, such as dark spots and scarring.
Whiteheads
The medical term for whiteheads is closed comedones. These are small, whitish or flesh-colored spots or bumps. They usually have a white, circular center surrounded by a red halo.
A hair will sometimes emerge from the center of a whitehead, or it may appear to be trapped within the blemish.
The skin around a whitehead may appear to be tight or wrinkled, especially when the whitehead is large or especially raised.
Whiteheads typically do not cause scarring.
Blackheads
Blackheads are also called open comedones. They are small, black or dark-colored spots that may appear as slightly raised bumps.
The skin around a blackhead usually appears normal, while the center of the blackhead is darker than the surrounding area.
The coloration is not a result of trapped dirt. Blackheads are simply whiteheads that have opened and widened. When the contents of a whitehead are exposed to air, they darken.
Papules
Papules are bumps under the skin's surface. They are solid, tender, pink, and raised, and the skin around a papule is usually slightly swollen and red.
Unlike whiteheads, papules have no visible center. Unlike blackheads, the pores of a papule do not appear to be widened.
Papules develop when whiteheads or blackheads cause so much irritation that they damage some of the surrounding skin. The damage leads to inflammation.
Pustules (pimples)
Pustules are larger, tender bumps with a defined circular center. The center is filled with whitish or yellowish pus, and the bump has a pink or red base. Immune cells and bacterial cells collect to form this pus.
Pustules typically look like much larger and more inflamed whiteheads
Nodules
Nodules are hard, painful, inflamed lumps located deep within the skin. They look like larger, deeper papules and have no visible center or head.
This type of acne lesion develops when clogged pores damage tissues and cells deep beneath the skin's surface.
Nodules are a severe form of acne blemish, and they can cause skin complications such as dark spots or scarring.
Cysts
Cysts are very large, soft, painful, red or white lumps situated deep in the skin. They are filled with pus.
Cysts form deeper within the skin than nodules, and they are the most severe type of acne blemish. Cysts can also cause skin complications, such as scarring.
What causes acne?
Normally, dead cells collect in the skin's pores, then slowly rise to the surface of the openings and eventually fall away from the skin.
A natural body oil called sebum helps to prevent skin cells from drying out. The glands that produce this oil are attached to the pores.
When excess sebum builds up, it can cause dead cells to stick together, forming a mixture that becomes trapped in the pores.
Acne occurs when a pore becomes clogged with dead skin cells, natural body oils, and a type of bacteria.
These bacteria live on the skin and are called Propionibacterium acnes. If they enter and infect clogged pores, this causes acne blemishes to form.
What is an acne facial?
If you are struggling with acne, your typical acne facial cleanser might not be cutting it. The acne facial is an alternative treatment designed to treat the root cause of acne with minimal side effects.
Acne facials focus primarily on extractions for blocked pores. The extraction process releases any excess build-up of oil and cleans out dirt that might be clogging up your pores. This can reduce the look and feel of acne and calm inflammation in your skin.
What are the benefits of acne facials?
The main benefit of this type of facial, of course, is the reduction of facial acne. The treatment should help reduce redness and inflammation, and help the skin rebalance. With regular treatments, future acne breakouts may be minimized.
How many visits will I need to see results?
You should start to see results after your first acne facial. However, you may need to make multiple visits to achieve your desired results depending on the severity of the breakout. It’s also important to take good care of your skin at home in between facial visits, and a good esthetician will be able to recommend an effective follow-up routine.
