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updated November 07, 2009

Types of Acne

Unless you are a dermatologist or family member of one, you probably don't understand acne and all its technical elements. Chances are, you think all acne is ultimately the same, except for that fact that many people have different skin types requiring different treatments. But if you know a little bit more about acne, you realize that there are several different types of acne, and the best acne treatment will take a multi step approach to properly address all of them or at least most.

The first type of acne is the type we all think about when we think about acne. It's known as acne vulgaris, and about 90% of acne sufferers happen to suffer from acne vulgaris. Depending on the severity, there are multiple available treatments. However, I have found that the best treatment option is tea tree oil, which is powerful and yet comes without major side effects. Acne vulgaris is generally characterized by red bumps, inflammation, irritation, sometimes pain, etc.

But within acne vulgaris, there are several different categories. First of all, you might think about blackheads. Blackheads are those ugly and dark spots that often cover your face. Essentially speaking, a blackhead occurs when oils harden, trapping bacteria inside the pores. When the oil is exposed to oxygen, it then turns black, which is why they are called blackheads. There are blackhead extractors available through most major outlets, and there are also pore strips that supposedly remove blackheads. You should never try to squeeze them out, and frankly the best approach is a comprehensive one including exfoliators, antibacterials, antiseptics, etc. However, most acne treatments do not address all of these needs.

Whiteheads are a completely different class of acne vulgaris. Whiteheads are generally coupled with blackheads. However, they tend to cause white dots on the surface of the skin. Again, they block the pores, combining sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells. So the treatment for whiteheads is actually exactly the same as it would be for blackheads.

On the other hand, papules are one we cannot easily ignore. The good thing is papules are much easier to target and eliminate, and most acne treatments only target things like papules. They are characterized by an inflamed, red, and tender appearance and feel, and they have no head. You should never squeeze a papule as it may cause skin damage and scarring.

Moving on, there are several other types of acne in general. These fall completely outside acne vulgaris classifications, and it is especially important not to try to pop these. Nodules are much larger than papules you would see with acne vulgaris. They are also said to be extremely painful, and scarring is extremely common. Even among those that do not squeeze, nodular acne can cause severe and even irregularly shaped scarring.

Likewise cystic acne is extremely painful. Most of the time with cystic acne, you can successfully treat it should you start early. You should not expect overnight elimination, and you should never squeeze these painful participants. If you do not treat it early, it will only become more painful, more inflamed, and in general terms worse. Some patients are actually required to visit their dermatologist to drain said cysts or even get an antibiotic shot.

The most severe recognized form of skin acne however would be acne conglobata. Acne conglobata is unlike anything else, and the only currently recognized method of treatment is Accutane. Essentially speaking, you should start treatment as early as possible to avoid permanent disfigurement. It is characterized by burrowing and interconnected zits and scarring, and it generally strikes around the age of 30. Some speculate about the possible causes. However, there are no established causes.

Likewise, acne fulimans generally manifests in those who have been unsuccessful in treating acne conglobata or did not start treatment at an expedient rate. The only recognized and successful treatment thus far has been Accutane. But some also suggest that it may be caused by irregularly high levels of testosterone within the body. With this particular form of acne, you will also experience inflamed joints, enflamed lymph nodes, swelling and water filled lungs, and many require hospitalization. Either way, most believe that acne conglobata and acne fulimans are hereditary.

Finally, though not normally recognized as a form of acne, acne rosacea is extremely common in adults, generally manifesting at the age of 30. It is recognized to be hereditary, and it results in red, irritated, sensitive skin, sometimes suffering from small bumps that may look like acne vulgaris. This being said, it is generally associated with bacterial infections, and as such there are only a few treatments. Some use antibiotic gels such as Metrogel, and others use chemical peels. Either way, many of the treatments ironically cause the same symptoms.