Not all acne is the same.
While congested pores are to blame for all, there are many different types of acne. Knowing which type you have can help you understand your skin better and identify a solution.
Read on to learn about the different types of acne and what you can do about them.
Inflammatory vs Non-inflammatory Acne
The first thing you need to know is that ALL acne falls into 1 of 2 categories. You could have non-inflammatory acne or inflammatory acne. As the name suggests, inflammatory acne is where inflammation is present.
Inflammation is a natural response your body has when it's under threat from something like bacteria.
Non-inflammatory acne is less severe than inflammatory acne as no infection or inflammation is present. It probably doesn't hurt like inflammatory acne does, but that doesn't mean it won't bother you.
The severity of acne symptoms can be graded into 4 stages:
Comedonal Acne
Papulopustular Acne
Nodulocystic Acne
Acne Conglobate, Acne Fulminans
Let's look at each of the symptoms and which stage they fall under.
Blackheads (Comedonal Acne)
These little black spots are also sometimes called open comedones. While they may look like dirt lodged in a pore, it’s a combination of dead skin cells and excess oil that’s got trapped. When this mixture is exposed to oxygen, it looks black. Comedones won’t have any swelling or redness surrounding them, and they’re not painful to touch.
Whiteheads (Comedonal Acne)
When comedones are closed over they’re called whiteheads. This is because that same congestion hasn’t been exposed to oxygen so it remains white. They feel like tiny bumps on your skin. Whiteheads and blackheads are considered the mildest types of acne, but they can still be frustrating blemishes.
Whiteheads or Milia Cysts?
It's possible that the small white bumps on your face aren't whiteheads at all. Milia cysts also present similarly. But rather than being caused by clogged pores, they're caused by a build-up of keratin (skin protein) just below your skin’s surface.
Papules (Papulopustular Acne)
The next stage of acne is when Cutibacterium Acnes (C. Acnes) bacteria mixes with the oil and skin cells and causes inflammation. Papules are small, hard lumps in the skin. There's no pus in the centre of a papule—although that may come later if a papule turns into a pustule.
Pustules (Papulopustular Acne)
Also known as pimples, this type of acne is an inflamed red bump with a yellow pus-filled centre. Pus is a result of the body’s fight against infection. Pustules are bigger than whiteheads and often the surrounding skin will be inflamed.
Nodules (Nodulocystic Acne)
These hard lumps are like papules, only more severe and deeper within the skin. They can be painful. Nodules carry the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring.
Cysts (Nodulocystic Acne)
Cystic acne is one of the most severe forms of acne. Like nodules, they occur deep within the skin but they are filled with pus. Cystic acne can be incredibly painful and is the most like type of acne to leave scarring. That’s one of the reason why it’s important to seek help early with nodulocystic acne.
Acne Conglobate/Fulminans
This is a severe form of nodulocystic acne with interconnecting abscesses and channels under the skin. Acne Fulminans is the most severe form of acne conglobate.
Acne vs Rosacea
There's also the possibility that your acne isn't acne at all. It could be rosacea. Both inflammatory skin concerns cause red spots and pustules on your face.
One key difference is the redness of the skin surrounding the bumps. With acne, the redness will usually be confined to the area immediately around the bumps. With rosacea, the redness tends to be more widespread on the nose and cheeks and may spread to the forehead and chin. If your skin is particularly sensitive and you have visible blood vessels, this could also be signs of rosacea.
Whiteheads, blackheads and cysts are all acne-related.
It Starts with the Right Skincare
So now you might have an idea about what types of acne you have. What can you do about it? Your first step is to start using skincare designed specifically to target acne without stripping or compromising the integrity of the skin.
The ACNE SKIN SET contains three transformational products. Each formulation contains the right balance of actives to fight acne and restore balance to your skin. And they all complement each other, so you get the best out of your skincare.
Dermapen Treatments for Acne
Next, you can book a consultation with an Authorised Treatment Provider to see if a Dermapen Treatment™ is the right course of action for your skin.
The needles of the Dermapen 4™ create flawless microchannels in your skin which helps blast your acne in four ways.
Stimulates the presence of regulatory growth factors including KGF (keratinocyte growth factor) and EGF (epidermal growth factor) to promote normalised epidermal function
Accelerates cellular turnover to force out embedded congestion
Oxygenates bacterial proliferation to reduce infection
Enhances the activation and infusion of combination therapies
Dermapen Treatments for acne can be used with great success on acne stages 1-3.
As a bonus, Dermapen Treatments also help reduce the appearance of rosacea symptoms, milia, and acne scars.
Stop Guessing & Get Expert Help
Figuring out what type of acne you have is the first step on the road to glowing skin. But an Authorised Treatment Provider can help you get truly remarkable results. They’re skin professionals who have seen it all before and have performed a combined 3 million Dermapen Treatments worldwide.
How would it feel to finally clear your skin of acne? Find your nearest provider to book a consult today.
If you are a professional and wish to learn how to become a DermapenWorld Authorised Treatment Provider, click here.
