When you’re preparing for a fight it helps to know who your enemy is.
If you’re struggling with acne you may have felt you’re fighting a losing battle.
Don’t give up.
You may simply be using the wrong counter measure.
Acne manifests as different types with certain causes. Why is your body reacting this way?
The answer to that question will determine what your best weapon or solution will be.
Inflammatory Vs Non-Inflammatory
Determine whether your acne is inflammatory or non-inflammatory.
What is Inflammatory Acne?
Your body tries to defend itself whenever it senses foreign particles.
It will send white blood cells to fight off the infection.
Bacteria can enter broken skin cells and cause infection.
Your body senses the danger for the pore’s skin cells and sends white blood cells.
While this is supposed to help it also makes the area more painful and it becomes red.
Following a diet which promotes healthy body cells can prevent outbreaks.
Medical assistance is sometimes necessary to find a solution, such as the correct supplement or medicinal products.
What is Non-inflammatory Acne?
Non-inflammatory acne forms because of clogged pores, not broken skin cells.
This can be because of excess oils or dirt.
Treatment includes facial products.
Because the problem is on the surface of the skin, exterior methods are usually effective.
Alternatively a change in diet may result in less oily skin.
Non-inflammatory acne is less problematic, but shouldn’t be neglected.
It can easily be exacerbated by the environment and result in broken skin cells which are more difficult to treat.
How Deep is the Problem?
One reason why only some pimples turn into inflammatory acne is because of the depth of the problem.
If there’s a lesion in your skin close to the surface, the effect will be minor and a superficial face wash may solve the problem.
If the pimple’s rupture is deeper in the pore the result will be worse.
This is when pimples turn into cysts. In these cases you need to fight the problem from the inside out.
Changing your diet can reduce the inflammation in your body.
Types and Treatments
Let’s make an accurate diagnosis of your type of acne.
This can empower you to find a dynamic solution.
Most acne types can be grouped under inflammatory or non-inflammatory acne.
When It's Non-Inflammatory Acne
Do one of these types appear on your skin?
Whiteheads
A whitehead forms when there’s too much bacteria and oil.
It clogs a pore which forms a small bump.
This is quite close to the surface which gives you a chance to clear it up with exfoliation methods.
Blackheads
Sebum is vital for your skin’s health but an excess of this substance results in problems.
Blackheads occur when sebum oxidizes in air after a pore is opened.
The sebum turns black. Exfoliates may not work since you don’t have dirt to remove.
Prevention is one of the best solutions. You can stop using certain creams or make up so pores don’t get clogged.
Types of Inflammatory Acne
It’s more challenging to treat inflammatory acne outbreaks.
The problem lies deeper within the skin so it’s more difficult to treat via external solutions such as skin products.
If you’re familiar with some of these, you’ll know how challenging they are to clear up:
Papules
Your body reacts by sending white blood cells when a hair follicle breaks.
Your body wants to protect broken skin. Keeping your skin cells healthy can prevent papules.
Pustules
A papule can become a pustule if not treated correctly.
It manifests as a pimple when white blood cells travel to the surface of the skin.
In this case it’s prudent to clean the skin properly to prevent further inflammation.
Nodules
These are small cysts below the surface of the skin.
It’s usually because of hormonal imbalances.
Exterior treatment methods rarely help apart from soothing the skin.
Cysts
These are similar to nodules but more aggravated.
The cysts fill with pus.
They are quite painful. Exterior treatments may soothe the pain but not prevent a breakout.
You probably see how your type of acne determines the treatment you must opt for.
The cause of inflammatory acne includes hormones and overall bodily health such as excess oils.
If you can control these levels through diets, medicine and supplements you may be able to counter your acne.
If you pick the wrong weapon you may already have lost the battle.
Knowing the origin of your acne can lead to a dynamic, tactical plan.
Help current breakouts heal and future break outs from happening.