Acne is a common skin disorder that starts developing around puberty/teenage years, but some individuals continue to have acne far into adulthood. It usually occurs on the neck, back, chest, buttocks, shoulders, and face (mainly on the cheeks and forehead).
Acne develops when hair follicles become blocked with oil and dead skin cells, resulting in scars, patchy spots, and irritating and itchy skin in some conditions.
If you’re suffering from acne, you should know that Novomed centers offer effective treatment options to help you heal your skin to reduce blemishes from recurring. Keep reading to understand the most common types of acne and how to treat them permanently!
Acne Types and Treatments
Whiteheads
Whiteheads are tiny flesh-coloured blemishes that develop beneath the skin surface when hair follicles get clogged. They’re usually referred to as “Closed Comedones” because a thin layer of skin cells covers all of the gunk inside the pore, giving them a yellowish-white look.
Whiteheads Treatment: Our certified dermatologists at Novomed will examine your skin before providing the appropriate acne therapy. Your doctor might recommend using over-the-counter acne treatments like Serums and creams containing Benzoyl peroxide, Adapalene, or Salicylic acid to target the P. acne bacteria that causes breakouts.
Blackheads
Blackheads are called open comedones because they’re are not covered by skin. Instead, the trapped oil inside the pore breaks through the skin surface and is exposed to the open air, which eventually turns black or darker in colour. Blackheads are caused by oily skin, an inflamed hair follicle, hormonal changes, and some skin-care products.
Blackheads Treatment: The best treatment for blackheads is to cleanse your skin using a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) such as salicylic acid, which effectively enters the pores to exfoliate them. Our skin specialists at Novomed also recommend retinol, a type of vitamin A that breaks up clogged skin cells and prevents them from locking oil in the future.
Pustules
Pustules are big white spots covered by red, irritated skin that contain fluid or pus, which is made up of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Pustules usually happen as an inflammatory response to blocked follicles, and they are painful to touch.
Pustules Treatment: Small pustules may heal on their own, but larger pustules can be treated with topical benzoyl peroxide or sulphur-based face cleansers. Both of these treatments can help reduce irritation and prevent infections in the follicle and skin
Papules
This type of acne appears as swollen, reddish lumps, which are commonly referred to as pimples, and they usually group on the forehead, cheeks, or chin, and they appear. The pimples aren’t filled with pus, but they occur when extra oil, clogged pores, and bacteria get locked further into the skin, causing inflammation.
Papules Treatment: You can use the same over-the-counter medications that help with comedones. However, if your pimples are severely sensitive, alpha-hydroxy acids like glycolic or lactic acids or azelaic acid (commonly used to treat rosacea) will help treat inflamed p
Nodules
Nodules are a severe type of acne that occurs when skin pore walls break down, releasing bacteria and oil into other pores to become clogged. Nodules are painful and can leave scars that last a lifetime if they continue to grow larger and develop into a nodular cyst.
Nodules Treatment: Since nodular acne is a severe condition, it’s best to get professional help at Novomed. Your dermatologist may prescribe a mixture of topical treatments and oral medications, including hormonal pills or edible retinol. If your nodular acne leaves a scar, your doctor will discuss several cosmetic options such as chemical peels, micro-needling, or laser treatment.
Cysts
Similar to nodules, cystic acne occurs when the pore underneath the skin breaks, allowing oil, dead skin cells, or bacteria to spread across the surrounding tissue. They are filled with fluid or pus and can sometimes develop a white head. Cysts are often irritated and painful, and both can result in acne scars or discoloration as they heal.
Cysts Treatment: In addition to the medication used to treat nodular acne, your doctor may consider cortisone injections to relieve inflammation, photodynamic therapy to kill bacteria, or surgical draining and extraction to remove large cysts.
Treating Acne Scars with Laser Therapy
Acne scarring is a common side effect that can severely influence a patient’s skin and appearance. You’ll find the best cosmetic and non-invasive methods to treat acne scars at Novomed centers, including microdermabrasion dermal fillers and laser therapy.
Our advanced laser treatment removes the surface layers of your skin to break up scar tissue and stimulate collagen production to encourage skin cells renewal and reduce discoloration.
Do you want to find out more about acne and acne treatments? Book your consultation with the best dermatologists and skin experts at Novomed to receive the best medical and laser acne treatment services in the UAE!
