Acne Irritations

Classification of Acne Irritations

Whiteheads:
Are formed when a pore is fully clogged by trapping sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells, resulting in a white blemish on the surface. Whiteheads usually have a shorter life cycle than blackheads.

Blackheads: Are created if a pore is only partially blocked, letting the trapped sebum (oil), bacteria and dead skin cells gradually drain to the surface. The black tint is not due to dirt; it is a consequence of the skin's own pigment, melanin, which darkens with the oxygen in the air. A blackhead is likely to be a stable structure, and can often take a long time to open.

Papules: Papules are small, red, fragile bumps with no head. Do not pinch a papule, it may worsen scarring.

Pustules: A pustule is similar to a whitehead, however, it is inflamed, and looks like a red circle with a white or yellow center. Pustules are your garden variety "zit".

Classification of Acne:
We will focus on two critical types of acne: moderate acne and those needing special care because they cause psychological stress to those who suffer from it.

Moderate Acne: Moderate acne usually does not result in scars. However, squeezing pimples or trying to drain them increases possible infection and deepens the lesion to the skin, making scarring more likely.

Severe Acne: Cystic acne is not common, but can be deforming, and just like all types of acne, it can produce psychological consequences. The nodules and abscesses of cystic acne usually break open, leaving scars after healing. Scars can be minimal, deep holes (ice pick scars); have wider pits of varying depth; or large, abnormal cavities. Acne scars last a lifetime, and for some people, are cosmetically important and a cause of psychological stress.

Classification of Severe Acne

Acne Conglobata: This is the most severe kind of acne vulgaris and is more common in males. It is defined by the appearance of multiple large blemishes. These are sometimes interconnected in conjunction with widespread blackheads. Acne conglobata usually appears when the person is between 18 and 30 years old. The condition can continue active for many years, and although acne conglobata is frequently resistant to treatment, over time it can often be regulated through aggressive treatment.

Acne Fulminans: This is an accelerated onset of acne conglobata which usually afflicts young men. Signs of severe nodulocystic, often ulcerating acne are present. As in the case of acne conglobata, intense, deforming scars are common. Acne fulminans is unique in that it also presents a fever and aching joints. Acne fulminans does not respond well to antibiotics.

Gram-Negative Folliculitis: This problem is a microbial contamination characterized by pustules and cysts, more than likely occurring as a complication resulting from a continual antibiotic therapy of acne vulgaris. This is a rare condition and it is unknown if it is more common in men or women.

Pyoderma Faciale: This type of severe facial acne affects strictly females, usually between the ages of 20 to 40 years old. It is characterized by the presence of painful large nodules, pustules and sores which can leave scarring. It begins abruptly and may occur on the skin of a woman that has never had acne before. It is an aggressive condition that is confined to the face and does not usually last more than a year.

Free radical lesions: another effect of acne inflammation.
The skin produces hydrogen peroxide, a harmful free radical, to fight off each acne infection. This strategy can go on for weeks until the infection is resolved, but in the meantime the skin is being exposed to a free radical and will soon reap unwanted side effects such as premature aging. As time passes the volume of hydrogen peroxide acts just like prolonged sun exposure, damaging skin elements such as collagen and causing the skin to sag and wrinkle.

Additionally, the healing process of acne infections involves thousands and thousands of chemical reactions. These chemical reactions produce more free radicals and add to the volume of free radical harm (aging).

The skin has a supply of antioxidants that help reduce the volume of free radicals and their damage; nevertheless, it is thought that moderate to severe acne drain the skin of antioxidants, leaving it nearly defenseless against free radicals.

Acne control is not only important to the skin’s appearance, it is also a valuable strategy needed to avoid early aging of the skin. If skin damage has already become a problem, you should quickly get acne under control and keep treating your skin with BIOSKINCARE to efficiently rejuvenate your skin.

When benzoyl peroxide is applied to attack acne bacteria it inflicts a similar type of damage to your skin. People who have treated chronic acne with benzoyl peroxide are usually disappointed after learning that they have severely worn out their skin well beyond its chronological age and may have increased their possibility of skin cancer.