What is Acne?

What is Acne?

Everyone wants smooth, spotless, radiant, and healthy skin, but most patients face skin problems that can create a struggle in achieving it. Acne vulgaris is one of the most common skin problems, resulting in severe and prolonged inflammation of the skin occurring as a result of clogged pores. Although the occurrence of acne is most common during adolescence, acne outbreak is common in many adults throughout their lives. The areas where acne commonly attacks involve chest, face, upper arms, and back. Whiteheads, blackheads, redness, pustules, abscesses, and cysts are some of the symptoms of acne.

What are The Different Types?

  • Whiteheads & Blackheads

As the pore becomes blocked with oil, dead skin cells, and debris, whiteheads and blackheads can occur, with whiteheads being closed and the blackheads being opened.

  • Papules & Pustules

After a whitehead, papules and can pustules occur, with papules being red and inflamed without pus, whereas pustules being highly painful and filled with pus.

  • Severe Acne – Cystic acne & Abscess

The more severe acne that causes damage and lasting scars if not treated can be characterized by deeper nodules that may or may not contain fluid and overall facial redness. Oral and topical prescription medications are required to get rid of cystic acne and abscess.

How is it treated?

There is not a single type of acne treatment that fits all because of the different skin types; rather it is more of a trial and error approach. Acne is sometimes controlled with treatment but, at times, it can reoccur, causing pitting or permanent scarring. In order to permanently treat acne and acne scars, lasers, microdermabrasion, and peels are employed. For more severe acne, a combination of topical products and oral medication is used with careful analysis of the effects of different active ingredients.

Schedule a Consultation

Patients who are facing trouble with severe acne should schedule a consultation with Dr. Diggs to learn about our unique CosmedicDerm product line containing effective ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, retinol, and glycolic acid, which are formulated to especially treat all kinds of acne. If you are not sure how to treat your acne properly, schedule a consultation with Dr. Diggs for a treatment plan for vibrant, healthy, and rejuvenated skin.