Types of Acne You Did Not Know About

04 Jan 2022 / Posted by clinic skin essence

Do You Think You Know About All Types Of Acne?

Acne also referred to as pimples is a common skin condition, which is often associated with teenagers or puberty. It is caused due to the clogging of hair follicles with oil, dirt, and dead skin cells. It usually affects the face, forehead, chest, shoulders, and upper back. “Common factors that lead to acne inflammation are oily skin, hormonal imbalance, genetic influence, etc.”, says Dr. Anu Kapoor, an acne specialist in Delhi (Patel Nagar).

What many people may not know is that there are several different types of acne, such as:

1. COSMETIC ACNE
This type of acne is one of the least talked about but a frequently occurring type of acne.

Now you must be wondering, how can cosmetics cause acne? They are supposed to make you look beautiful!

Well, bursting this myth, cosmetics are responsible for acne.

Cosmetic acne is usually mild, however, it is the most persistent form of acne. Common body area that is affected with such acne is the face, neck, scalp, and hairline.

When we talk about cosmetic acne on the scalp and hairline, it is mainly due to chemical-based hair cream, harsh shampoos, and hair oils.

So, why does this happen?

Well, this condition is due to oil slugging. Individuals practice different kinds of hair care routines which they learn from non-reliable sources say, the internet. People usually opt for easily available products like petroleum jelly, coconut oil, etc., and apply it on their face and hair followed by leaving it overnight due to a myth that it benefits the skin.

But, what happens next is ACNE!

These products cause oil slugging in the pores and clog the pores causing unwanted breakouts.

Cosmetic acne on the face and neck is triggered due to the frequent application of cosmetic products such as heavy moisturizers, under eye concealers, and layers of foundation.

Some of these makeup products use ingredients that trigger new breakouts by clogging the pores and overproducing oil in the skin. Besides this, the products might also have components that are not suitable for your skin and cause breakouts.

Having said that, one must be aware of their skin type and avoid buying products that can harm their skin. Common ingredients or formulas that one must avoid while purchasing makeup are:

- Acrylics
Acrylics are usually formulated in various cosmetic products, but it is as similar as applying plastic to your skin which leads to clogged pores and acne breakouts.

- Silicones
Commonly found in products like concealers and foundation, silicone is highly responsible for clogged pores. In such a case, water-based foundations can be used to get silky smooth skin without worrying about acne breakouts.

- Fragrances and dyes
Fragrances and dyes contain strong chemicals to give the product its smell, however, they irritate the skin and lead to sensitivity.

Yes, we cannot stop the use of cosmetics completely, however, we can avoid the side effects by following certain tips like the following:

- Use cosmetics that are labeled non-comedogenic.
- Clean your makeup brushes and sponges frequently.
- Do not go to bed with makeup on.

2. HORMONAL ACNE or ADULT ACNE

As the name indicates, hormonal acne is due to the fluctuations of your hormone level. Such acne affects an individual mainly during puberty. This acne often appears in the T-zone area of your face which includes your forehead, nose, jawline, and chin.

Hormonal acne can appear in the form of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and cysts.

Moving ahead, ADULT ACNE is directly related to hormonal influence. When we talk about adult acne, the common cause of its occurrence is a medical condition like:

- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
- Menopause
- Pregnancy
- Increased androgen levels

These medical conditions directly affect the hormones and aggravate acne conditions by increasing oil production in the pores resulting in clogging of hair follicles, skin inflammation, and producing Propionibacterium (acne-causing bacteria).

Having said that, acne caused due to medical conditions can be termed as ADULT ACNE as it affects more than 50% of adults. So, acne is no more just a teenage problem. This type of acne requires proper diagnosis and treatment to balance the hormones as well as to stop the acne breakouts.

3. ACNEiFORM ERUPTIONS or MEDICAL ACNE

Medical acne is usually caused due to the intake of drugs that affect the hormonal levels for example Anti ATT drugs to treat tuberculosis, anti-epileptic, etc. Although these medicines are taken according to the prescription by a concerned doctor, acne eruption is very common among such patients.

Furthermore, in the same segment of medical acne, we have STEROID ACNE. Now you must be thinking, how steroids can cause acne?

Starting with the facts, steroids are commonly used by bodybuilders and individuals who take protein supplements containing steroids. These steroids increase the testosterone level and lead to acne breakouts. Steroid acne often shows up on your chest and the symptoms can include small red bumps, cysts like swelling and comedones. Having said that, such type of acne is likely to affect people under the age of 30 and the severity depends on the quantity and dose of steroid taken.

4. ACNE EXCORIEE, commonly known as Skin Picking Acne

Acne excoriee is a disorder in which patients have repetitive and uncontrollable desire to scratch, pick or rub acne inflammations. This practice often leads to further acne breakouts and prominent acne scars. Excoriated acne is usually minor acne, however, the scratching and squeezing make it severe and painful. This type of acne is common among individuals who are very concerned about their appearance and pick their acne at the earliest.

5. MASK ACNE or MASKNE

To safeguard ourselves from COVID-19, a protective mask has become a part of our daily routine. However, the continuous friction and dirt accumulation on our mask clogs the pores and causes acne breakouts.

So, here are a few tips to prevent mask acne:

• Wash your face before and after wearing the mask.
• Use a gentle cleanser.
• Change your mask every day.
• Cloth masks should be washed everyday after using.

6. FOLLICULITIS

This acne is commonly caused when the hair follicles are inflamed. This type of acne can occur after a hot tub bath, heated pool bath, waxing, and fungal infection. Symptoms of folliculitis include a cluster of small red bumps, puss-filled blisters, painful, itchy, and burning skin. Folliculitis acne can be severe and hence must be treated through antibiotic and antifungal medications under the guidance of a dermatologist.

Hope this blog was informative and helped you to understand different types of acne. If you have any questions regarding acne treatments in Delhi, please feel free to get in touch with us at +91 9716686756 or book an appointment here.

Thank You!