What Is Acne Pimples (Acne Vulgaris)?

Acne vulgaris, or acne, is a common skin condition that affects people of all ages, but it is most common in adolescents and young adults. Acne develops when excess oil (sebum), dead skin cells, and bacteria block the pores on the skin,  leading to skin lesions commonly known as pimples or zits. Acne outbreaks can develop on the face, back, shoulders, and chest.

Difference Between Acne and Pimples

Acne is a skin condition that causes pimples to develop, most commonly on the face, chest, shoulders and upper back. pimples are a visible manifestation of the underlying skin condition known as acne. Acne causes pimples to form, but pimples alone do not constitute acne – they are a key symptom of the disease.

Acne is the underlying skin condition or disease process that leads to the development of pimples while Pimples are the visible, physical manifestations or symptoms that appear on the skin as a result of the acne disease.

What Causes Acne Vulgaris? 

Acne develops when hair follicles (pores) on the skin become clogged with excess sebum. Sebum is a natural oil produced by sebaceous glands in the skin. When these glands become overactive, they make more sebum than the skin needs, leading to clogged pores. The pores can also become clogged with dead skin cells and, in some cases, bacteria. This, too, can lead to acne.

There are several reasons why you may develop acne, such as

* Certain hair and skin care products: Products that are not noncomedogenic—meaning they have ingredients that block your pores—increase the risk of pimples.

* Changes in hormones: Hormonal changes due to the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause may cause more acne than usual. You may have fluctuating hormones if you have recently started or stopped taking certain types of birth control, which may cause acne.

* Diet: Greasy, sugary foods may cause acne.

* Genetics: You may have a high risk of acne if your close family members also have the skin condition.

* Health conditions: Sometimes, acne results from an undiagnosed health condition. For example, acne is a common sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which causes excess androgens.

* Hygiene practices: Not regularly washing your face or hair may cause excess oil on your scalp and skin.

* Irritation to the skin: Not removing your makeup before bed, sweating, touching your face, or wearing tight clothing may irritate your skin and cause blemishes.

* Medications: Research has found that acne may be a side effect of drugs like anabolic steroids, anticancer medicines, corticosteroids, and lithium.

* Stress: Your body secretes more androgens than usual if you are stressed. Androgens stimulate your sebaceous glands, which increases oil production and causes acne.

Types of Acne Blemishes

Acne can manifest in a variety of blemishes, including:

* Blackheads: They are dark-colored open bumps on the skin that is filled with excess oil and dead skin. 

* Whiteheads: These are bumps that remain clogged due to oil and dead skin however they are not dark in color. 

* Papules: These are red or pink-colored inflamed bumps.

* Pustules: These are pus-filled bumps surrounded by red rings. They look like whiteheads and leave a scar if picked or scratched.

* Nodules: They are hard and deep pimples which are large and painful.

* Cysts: These are again pus-filled pimples that can leave scars.

* Fungal Acne: This happens because of an excess of yeast development in the hair follicles and can become itchy and inflamed.

The severity and types of acne blemishes can vary from person to person, and proper treatment is essential for managing this common skin condition.

The different types of acne can be broadly categorized into two main groups:

Acne can be inflammatory or non-inflammatory. It can occur in different forms in these two categories or combination of the two.

Inflammatory Acne

Inflammatory acne involves the presence of red, swollen, and painful lesions. This includes:

* Papules

* Pustules

* Nodules

* Cysts

Non-Inflammatory Acne

Non-inflammatory acne does not involve inflammation and includes:

* Blackheads

* Whiteheads

Acne Face Mapping: How To Determine the Cause of Your Breakouts

Different parts of your face—your cheeks, chin or jaw, forehead, and T-zone—may tell you more about what’s causing your acne.

The location of your acne can provide a clue to what’s happening inside your body. For example, chin breakouts may mean that your hormones are fluctuating, such as before your period. This technique of linking your breakout hotspots to specific parts of your body is known as face mapping.

You might notice that acne often shows up in the same places over and over, such as your cheeks, chin or jaw, forehead, and T-zone. This guide can help you identify the possible causes of acne on different parts of your face and effective treatments.

Face mapping can be a helpful starting point for pinpointing the cause of your acne, but it’s not foolproof. Generally, not touching your face and regularly cleansing your face and hair helps prevent and treat acne. Cleansers with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid help eliminate bacteria and oil that cause acne.

Treatments and Prevention Options

Acne treatments include visiting the spa for a monthly facial, following the routines plan curated by your esthetician, natural remedies, and prescription medications. Monthly facials help deep cleanse pores, exfoliate, increase circulation, and relax the skin and mind. Consult a healthcare provider (dermatologist) if your acne does not clear up after a few weeks of your facial treatment with an aesthetician in a spa. Healthcare providers may advise trying an oral or topical prescription medicine, such as antibiotics, isotretinoin, or retinoids. Those treatments take time to work, so be patient and consistent with your facials and skincare routine. Consult a dermatologist if you do not notice any improvements to your skin

Cleansing

Proper cleansing at home is the first simple, preventive measure that can be done anywhere – at home, work, or on-the-go – to help control acne breakouts.

Cleanse your skin at least twice daily using a gentle, non-irritating cleanser. For example, wash your face in the morning, then again at night. Cleanse your face after exercising or sweating heavily to wash away bacteria, oil, and impurities that can clog pores and lead to acne.

Here’s how to properly cleanse your skin:

1. Using clean fingertips, gently cleanse your skin. Avoid scrubbing or using a washcloth or sponge, which may aggravate acne.
2. Rinse your face with lukewarm water, then gently pat your skin to dry.
3. Moisturize your skin to avoid dryness. Be careful applying moisturizer to the skin near your eyes, which is more delicate than other parts of your face.

Try using cleansers made with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to treat acne. Benzoyl peroxide gets rid of bacteria on your skin and reduces oil production. Salicylic acid targets blackheads and whiteheads.

In addition to those treatments, here are some tips that help prevent and reduce acne:

* Avoid trying too many treatments: Instead, you may need to allow a few weeks before noticing improvements to your skin.

* Do not touch your face: Picking at your skin and popping your pimples worsens acne. You may notice hyperpigmentation, or dark spots, after a popped pimple heals.

* Practice sun safety: Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and tanning beds may aggravate acne. Remember to apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 before you go outdoors.

* Shampoo your hair regularly, especially if it’s oily: Make sure to keep your hair out of your face when it’s oily.

Acne: Myths and Facts

Acne being one of the most common conditions is also prone to myths. Some widespread myths and facts about acne are: 

Myth: Acne is caused due to poor diet.

Fact: though a healthy and balanced diet would only help there is no scientific evidence showing any correlation between diet and acne. 

Myth: Acne happens due to a lack of skin hygiene.

Fact: Acne is caused due to reactions that happen underneath the skin rather than on its surface. Washing your face too many times, on the contrary, can aggravate the problem.

Myth: Acne is contagious. 

Fact: Acne is not passed from one person to another.

Myth: Only teenagers get acne.

Fact: Though it is more common in that age group, it can also appear for the first time between the ages of 20 and 30.

Myth: Acne will go away even without any treatment.

Fact: Acne doesn’t go away on its own and can progress or worsen if left untreated.

What Facials Can and Cannot Do for Your Skin

Having a facial done at the salon/spa is relaxing and in some cases may help with breakouts, acne facials aren’t a necessity to get acne under control. In fact, facials aren’t even the best way to get acne under control.

If you consistently break out, especially if your pimples are deep, widespread, and/or inflamed, prescription acne medications might be the best options for treating acne. You’ll get far better results with these than with facials alone.

However, acne treatment facials can be helpful in removing blackheads and leaving your face feeling smoother and softer. Use them as an add-on to your daily acne treatment medication.

Considerations

Not all cases of acne can (or should) be treated in the salon/spa setting. Acne is more than an aesthetic problem; it’s a dermatologic condition. Treating acne often requires medical intervention that looks beyond the skin to the underlying cause.

As a rule, you should see a dermatologist if you have moderate to severe acne. This is defined as anything from:

* 20 to more than 100 comedones                            

* 15 to more than 50 inflamed bumps

* 30 to more than 125 total lesions

For cases like these, prescription medications may be needed. You should also see a dermatologist if you feel acne is having a negative impact on your quality of life, even if you don’t meet the above definitions.

This isn’t to say that that you can’t enjoy or benefit from regular facials. An esthetician can offer treatments complementary to a healthcare provider’s care. Some dermatologists even employ estheticians to perform facials in their offices.

How well facials work for you will depend on variables like the severity of your acne, your home skincare routine, and how often you get the treatment.

It is important to know that you won’t clear your skin with just one treatment. As with any acne treatment medications and procedures, it takes time to get results and you will typically need a series of acne facials.

Frequency and Limitations of Acne Facials

Facials may be scheduled once a week to once every two weeks for mild to moderate acne breakouts to help remove whiteheads and blackheads, then once every four to six weeks when it is under control. But you can’t rely on facials alone to get your skin clear. To keep the benefits going, you’ll need to be consistent with your acne treatment and skincare routine at home during your “off days.

However, once acne becomes severe and inflammatory, with painful pimples and cysts, facials are no longer the best treatment option. At that point, a dermatologist may recommend other treatments like prescription topical medications, oral antibiotics, or procedures like cortisone injections.

The key is to get facials early on for acne prevention and management, but transition to more intensive medical treatments if the acne becomes severe. Facials alone are not enough to treat severe, inflammatory acne.