Types of Acne

Although it may be tempting to pop your whiteheads to get rid of the bump, this is definitely not the best approach. For starters, you could be further irritating and clogging the area with the bacteria, dirt, and oil on your hands. Even worse, you could be causing scarring to the skin. As a result, you should focus on treating your whiteheads with topical over-the-counter products that contain anti-acne ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, gentle exfoliants, and retinoids.

Once again, it’s really tempting to squeeze or pick at your blackheads to remove that pesky black dot in the pore. However, blackheads are best treated with a hands-off approach similar to the one prescribed for whiteheads. Perhaps the best treatment for blackheads is regular exfoliation. Whether you choose chemical or physical exfoliation, make sure that the method is gentle enough to perform on a regular basis. For example, chemically exfoliating ingredients like alpha-hydroxy acids can remove blackheads from the surface of the skin. Clay or charcoal masks can also suck out the clogged materials in the pore and remove the blackhead.

Since papules are an inflammatory type of acne, it’s important to treat the skin with care to avoid further inflammation. As a result, avoid unnecessarily touching the area or using extra skincare products. To treat papules, look for anti-acne ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Retinoid creams may also help with these blemishes. Antibiotics may be recommended by your dermatologist to treat the bacteria causing the blemish.

Like papules, pustules should be treated with care and not irritated through unnecessary actions and products within your skincare routine. It could be very damaging to your skin to attempt to drain or pop the pus in the center of the pustule. In this case, patience is key through a consistent skincare routine that involves cleansing with a salicylic acid cleanser. Ingredients like sulfur or even prescription antibiotics may also be helpful for treating stubborn pustules.

Acne nodules go well beneath the surface of the skin and generally cannot be reached by over-the-counter topical treatments that just sit on the surface of the skin. As a result, you may need prescription acne medications from a dermatologist. For example, there are prescription-strength salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide products out there that are stronger than the over-the-counter varieties and can penetrate deep into the skin to reach your acne nodules. Other potential treatments include antibiotics and retinoids.

Cystic acne is the most severe form of acne that cannot be treated through over-the-counter topical products since it occurs deep within the skin. As a result, it’s recommended that you speak with a dermatologist about your acne concerns. They will likely prescribe a medication like isotretinoin, spironolactone, oral antibiotics, topical retinoids, or even oral contraceptives to treat your cystic acne.