Acne can be a painful and traumatic skin condition, but it can respond really well to targeted treatment. The experts at Koha Skin Clinic in Berkhamsted can give you the best advice on acne treatments. Here is a basic overview of the different types of acne and how you can treat each type:
What is Acne?
Acne is linked with the pilosebaceous gland, which is the oil gland that appears at the skin’s opening. When this gland is overactive, or one type of bacteria is more prevalent, it can cause inflammation and pore blockages, leading to redness, spots, and swelling.
What Causes It?
Several factors cause acne, so it’s difficult to pinpoint one cause. Hormones play a significant role in some types of acne, as certain hormones can cause the sebaceous glands to become overactive. There are a few lifestyle factors that may play a part in the severity of acne:
Acne & Diet – There are some links between dairy products and the worsening of acne. It encourages growth hormones, which in turn stimulate the sebaceous gland. Reducing your dairy intake by swapping to plant-based milk and cutting out cheese may reduce symptoms.
There is also a link between poor diet and gut inflammation, which can cause a build-up of toxins. These toxins can make some types of acne worse. It’s always worth eating as many portions of fruit and vegetables as you can and focusing on fibre-rich foods.
Omega-3 rich foods are also essential. This helps the gut, as well as the skin.
Acne & Hormones – Hormones can trigger the grease gland, which leads to clogging. Hormonal acne can produce whiteheads and blackheads, and women may notice an increase in these types of spots in the days before their period begins.
Using a cleanser with Salicylic Acid (BHA) can help to clear those blocked pores.
Overactive Sebaceous Gland
Unfortunately, some people have an overactive grease gland, and there may be no lifestyle reason for this. It’s important in this case to ensure that certain types of bacteria are prevented from building up. Skincare targeting oily skin and keeping on top of a healthy diet can help.
Do Bad Habits Cause Acne?
Picking spots, although sometimes habitual, can make things worse. As a general rule, the more we touch our skin, the more bacteria we will introduce to our skin. It can also lead to permanent scarring.
What Are the Symptoms of Acne?
Acne can present itself in a few different ways.
- Blackheads – small black or yellow bumps can develop on the skin.
- Whiteheads – these are similar to blackheads but can be firmer.
- Papules and Pustules – these are small red bumps. They can be sore to the touch and can sometimes have a white tip in the centre.
- Nodules – these are large, hard lumps under the surface of the skin.
- Cysts – the most severe spot, these are large, pus-filled lumps, and can cause permanent scarring.
- Acne can appear on the face, back, and chest.
How Severe Can It Be?
It can range from mild to severe. Mild acne will include smaller amounts of blackheads and whiteheads, with some papules or pustules, and will be concentrated on smaller areas. Moderate acne will have the same symptoms but covering a wider area of the skin. Severe acne can be more painful, with larger cysts and pustules, and these symptoms will cover more of the skin.
The skin experts at Koha Skin Clinic in Berkhamsted are experts in skincare, and they can give you the advice and treatment you need for clearer skin forever.