Acne can appear in different forms, and some of the most common types are listed here.

Blackheads

Blackheads are caused when a follicle becomes clogged by dead skin cells and sebum, and the follicle remains open. With the follicle open, the contents are exposed to air, allowing them to react with oxygen in the air. This causes the contents to turn black in a process known as oxidation.

Whiteheads

Whiteheads are often mistaken for pustules, but there is actually no pus or swelling. Whiteheads develop when there are blocked follicles beneath the skin's surface and the opening of the hair follicle is forced to close around the blockage.

Papules

Papules are small bumps on the skin that usually turn red and have no pus visible beneath the skin. With a papule, the contents of the plugged follicle have put enough pressure on the walls of the follicle to cause them to break. The contents then spill out into the surrounding area, causing irritation and tenderness to the surrounding tissues.

Pustules

A papule will often turn into a pustule within a few days. The main difference between a pustule and a papule is that a pustule will contain pus that's visible on the surface. Much like a papule, a pustule will typically have a red or pink base, although the centre of the bump will be white or yellow in colour.

Nodules

Nodules occur when clogged pores grow larger and become more irritated. One of the key differences between nodules and the acne types already mentioned is that nodules are deeper under the skin. They can be hard and painful.

Cysts

Cysts are often the most severe form of spot caused by acne. They can sometimes be confused for boils, as they look very similar. Cysts are the most likely to cause permanent scarring. Find out more about acne scars and treatments.

Acne is caused by the hair follicles becoming blocked. The glands attached to the hair follicles, called the sebaceous glands, produce an oil called sebum to keep the skin and hair hydrated. If you have acne the glands begin to produce too much sebum, causing the follicles to get blocked.

Sebum will sometimes not make it to the surface of the skin, becoming clogged in the follicle instead, potentially causing the follicle to become inflamed and swollen. Dead skin can also gather in the follicle, along with bacteria, and where bacteria collect you are also likely to find pus. The result is the spots and pimples that acne causes.

There are a variety of situations that can trigger the condition and can make acne worse. Wearing lots of makeup, heavy sweating or a humid environment can block pores. Touching your skin with your hands, picking or squeezing spots can spread germs across your face as well as increase inflammation.

Other causes of acne is due to some of the following reasons:

Testosterone

It is thought that acne in teenagers is caused by increasing levels of testosterone during puberty. Sebaceous glands seem to produce more sebum when there are increased levels of testosterone in the body, so this is likely to cause this blockage of the pores. Hormonal changes

Women are more susceptible to adult acne than men and this is likely to be caused by the changes in hormone levels due to periods, pregnancy or conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome.

Genetics

It has been found that if your parents have acne, you are likely to have acne as well. Studies have shown that acne in your teenage years is more likely if both your parents had acne. The same goes for adult acne - if one of your parents have or had this, you also have a higher chance of developing adult acne.

Stress

While stress doesn't necessarily cause acne, if you are acne prone, stress may worsen the condition.

Diet

It is often thought that greasy foods and chocolate can trigger acne, but this is not the case. Some studies have shown that eating foods high in carbohydrates is a potential trigger for acne. Foods that are high in carbohydrates include pasta, bread, beans, soft drinks, and pastries. However, while this is not proven, a healthy diet will always benefit your skin.

Medication

Some medicines can also trigger acne. Such medicines include, but are not limited to, some contraceptives, oral corticosteroids, and less commonly some B vitamins.

There are a wide range of options available for treating the condition, from topical creams and lotions to specific antibiotics for acne and combined treatments. It is also worth trying to avoid any triggers that exacerbate your acne, giving your skin the time to breathe and respond to acne treatment.

At Pharmacinta, we can prescribe the use of a topical treatment such as Adapalen, Epiduo or Duac. We are also able to provide Lymecycline oral antibiotc for those who have moderate to severe acne. Lymecycline is an antibacterial medication that works by killing the bacteria responsible for acne. Epiduo contains benzoyl peroxide and adapalene. Benzoyl peroxide helps to kill bacteria causing acne, while adapalene is a retinoid. This means it exfoliates the skin to remove dead skin cells, dirt and oil, and also helps to accelerate the turnover of skin cells. Differin also contains the retinoid adapalene. It acts on the skin processes that cause acne, with anti-inflammatory properties that help with discomfort and irritation.

Which acne treatment is right for you will depend on various factors, including the type of acne you have. For mild acne one topical cream is usually sufficient but in moderate to severe cases a combination of topical cream and daily antibiotic usually is preferred. While there are a range of acne prescription treatments available, it is the case that different combinations may work for different people.

Hormonal Treatments

Hormonal treatment may work well for women with acne, especially if it flares up around the time of their period. Some combined contraceptive pills will reduce the levels of certain hormones known as androgens in the body. A reduction in androgens will, in turn, help to reduce how much sebum is produced, helping to control acne.

It's important that combined contraceptive pills are used because they need to contain both oestrogen and progestogen to be effective. The mini pill, which contains only progestogen, may actually make acne worse.

Retinoid Treatment

Retinoids are a group of drugs that are made from vitamin A. Vitamin A is important for healthy skin because it encourages the production of elastin and collagen, and retinoids encourage the production of new skin cells. New skin cell growth will cause dead skin cells to be removed (exfoliation), helping to clear pores of dead skin cells and excess oil. Retinoids also help to reduce inflammation, reducing pain and irritation and helping to improve the appearance of the skin.

Over the Counter Treatments

One of the most common ingredients in acne washes and creams is benzoyl peroxide (BP), which is an antibacterial agent. Such treatments will usually be in the form of face washes or creams that are applied directly to the affected area and help to keep follicles clean of oil and debris, as well as helping to kill bacteria.

Healthy Diet

Greasy and spicy food is thought to promote breakouts. Food allergies, however mild they may be, are also potential triggers. Dairy products, nuts, chocolate and soda are some of the common allergenic foods. So are alcohol and certain additives in fast foods. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables will ensure healthy skin.

Hydration

Drinking plenty of fluids is thought to reduce acne risk considerably. Besides flushing out toxins from the body, water can keep the skin moisturised from the inside.

Frequently Asked Questions