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Yourface, chest, shoulders, andbackare the most common areas where acne vulgaris appears.
Treating the different types of acne can take some patience.
Ahead, SELF asked skin experts to explain whats what when it comes to acne.
Types of acne|Whiteheads and blackheads|Papules|Pustules|Acne mechanica|Nodules and cysts|Acne conglobata
What are the different types of acne?
Dermatologists often categorize breakouts as non-inflammatory acne and inflammatory acne, Dr. Garshick says.
Blemishes are ranked by severity to determine the best course of action.
), such as your nose and chin.
What they look and feel like:Whiteheads are generally small, flesh-colored bumps, Dr. Garshick says.
The trapped contents are exposed to air, causing them to oxidize and appear black, Dr. Garshick adds.
If youre still struggling, Dr. Garshick recommends adding atopical retinoidto your nighttime skin-care routine.
Just note that youll need to start slowly.
Theyre often firm and tender and can even feel sore.
In-office blue light therapy, which helps to killP.
acnesbacteria and minimize inflammation, is also a successful option for some people, Dr. Garshick says.
Pustules typically appear as a bump that may have a central pus bump, says Dr. Garshick.
Youll notice the breakout wherever the suspected culprit has been rubbing against the skin.
have a go at avoid wearing heavy makeup underneath, which can lead to clogged pores.
Fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone also play a role here.
However, a cyst happens when a pore is clogged with oil, dead skin cells, or bacteria.
The pore ruptures under the skin, causing the inflammation to spill out into the surrounding tissue.
The difference here is that the body forms a cyst around it to stop the inflammation from spreading.
Some researchers theorize that the body suddenly becomes really sensitive to theP.
acnesbacteria and has an intense immune system response that leads to very severe inflammation and breakouts.
What it looks like:These lesions may look like papules to start but contain pus underneath the skin.
Over time, the pus runs into the surrounding skin and eventually appears on the surface of the skin.
These can be dome-shaped and be about two to three centimeters in diameter.
Understandably, acne conglobata can be really painful since these breakouts are very deep and inflamed.
Acne conglobata may also respond to local steroid injections for certain scarring and nodules.
