Acne Spots Happen This Is How You Handle Them

Acne is a very common condition and although it mostly occurs when we are in our teens, other age groups can be affected too.

Whatever our age, we can become quite distressed when we start to notice pimples and blemishes on our skin where there were none before.

Caused by various factors that lead to increased oil production, acne outbreaks can be as a result of stress or hormonal changes (it can be puberty, pregnancy or even the menopause).  

Unfortunately, our pores can become blocked with sebum with bacteria building up inside the clogged pores.  Our body responds by sending cells to deal with the infestation causing blemishes and pimples to appear.

What are the different types of acne?

Acne vulgaris

These  lesions are more commonly known as pimples, white heads, blackheads - or the slang term of “zits” - while more severe lesions are known as comedones or nodules. These lesions occur when there is a change in the skin cell units that contain sebaceous glands (a substance called sebum) and a hair follicle. When oil or dead skin cells build up and clog these units, a breakout or lesion can occur.

Hormone changes that cause an excess of oil in the skin are the leading cause of acne vulgaris and this is why the inflammatory skin condition is most likely in the teens when breakouts can be attributed to the levels of the hormone testosterone in varying degrees in males and females. 

Cystic acne

This gets its name from the cysts that appear during an outbreak. Unfortunately, cystic acne is the most severe and often the most painful type of acne that you can suffer from. Acne is a disorder of the sebaceous glands so that when these glands lubricate the skin and become blocked, bacteria overgrows and causes skin blemishes. However with cystic acne, breakouts can be deep and inflamed on or around the face or even other parts of the body.

Cystic acne is more likely to affect teenage boys and young male adults and are often passed down so genetics can play a role. Breakouts of cystic acne cause serious damage to the skin and destroy healthy skin tissue so should never be ignored and will need treatment. Always avoid picking at cysts as this can worsen the situation and even lead to scarring.

Hormonal acne

This type of of acne is caused by hormonal imbalances in the body particularly when hormones begin to overproduce and cause changes such as an increased secretion from the oil glands.  The hormones that are responsible are androgens which affect the sebaceous glands that are responsible for keeping the skin moisturized. The inner skin linings are also affected due to the influence of hormones. Hormonal acne is common in teens but also affects adults. In women, factors such as stress, pregnancy, menstruation, or even an endocrine imbalance have been known to lead to hormonal acne. All this is related to hormonal changes in the body.

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What are blackheads and whiteheads?

Whiteheads are pimples that are filled with pus and this is what gives them their name. They are formed when excess oil from the sebaceous glands clogs up the pores or hair follicles on the skin. This sebum gets trapped along with other debris and some bacteria which can be airborne or from the skin's surface so that when the trapped sebum and bacteria stay below the skin's surface, a whitehead is formed.

Whiteheads may show up as tiny white spots, or they may be so small that they are invisible to the naked eye. As whiteheads are closed off from the outside air, they remain white and are often to be found hidden away, such as on the forehead under long bangs.  However, if these whiteheads open up sufficiently to allow the outside air in, they then turn into blackheads.

Blackheads are often considered to the be first stage of acne. We all get blackheads from time to time but they are more likely in those with an oily skin rather than a dry skin.

Sometimes blackheads form, not from oil below, but from the use of topical oils above or the use of make up which is then not cleaned off correctly so that dead skin cells accumulate within the pores. These dead cells then clog the pore opening, leading to a further oil build up. Even using too much moisturizer, foundation or sun screen can lead to clogged pores. And clogged pores cause blackheads to form.

What is back acne?

Our backs have one of the highest concentration of sebaceous glands, making them more susceptible to acne outbreaks.

It is also difficult to reach round to our backs so giving the area a really good clean can be more of a challenge. Sweat clogs the pores so if you are having a good workout at the gym or exercising in the great outdoors, it is a good idea to shower straight afterwards.