photo credit: JoeInSouthernCA

Acne has many forms and types. Not all types of acne look like each other. They appear differently, they can be blackheads and they can be as severe as pustules. For each type of acne, there is a corresponding acne blemish treatment. It is important that you know the other varieties of acne blemishes. These blemishes are not as severe and not as obvious as the other types of acne. Let us discuss each of them one by one.

Soft closed comedones. These are the little bumps you see on the surface of the skin. They not painful and they are not red unlike the severe types of acne. Soft closed comedones happen when dirt and oil get trapped in the pores mixed with layers of dead skin cells. In order to get rid of these comedones gentle pressure is exerted on them to bring the trapped oil to the surface. A gentle cleanser is necessary to keep pores clean.

Hard closed comedones. These are also called milia and they are more obvious the other kind. Milia are not painful or red and they are commonly found in the eye area. Milia are similar to a grain of sand stuck in your pores. You will most often see whiteheads which are a combination of sebum and dead skin cells. Milia are extracted by making a small incision and carefully removing the plug from the skin.

Open comedones. This is also called a blackhead. Blackheads are noticeable because of their dark brown to black appearance. This is an accumulation of dead skin cells and oil within the follicle. The top which is exposed to the air is not covered by a layer of skin. The surface is similar to cut apple which has been exposed to the air for quite some time.

Microcomedones. These are too small to be seen with the naked eye. This is the early stage of acne lesions caused by dead skin cells and oil getting mixed in the pores.

These signs of acne are easier to address than severe ones. Get to their source immediately and you would not have to worry about how to get rid of acne scars.

Almost every topical acne cream on the market will have harsh effects on your skin.  Over the course of many years your skin is going to take a lot of punishment in terms of the chemicals it is exposed to.  And don’t forget about the dirt and toxins that your skin will absorb naturally anyways.  In short, as the outer layer that bears the brunt of environmental effects, your skin has a big responsibility.  Keep this in mind and always be gentle when it comes to taking care of your skin.

You will probably notice a few side effects whenever you start with a new course of acne treatment.  Side effects can range from redness, to peeling, to dryness in the skin.  If any of these side effects become too alarming make sure to see your dermatologist right away.  You can counteract some of these side effects by using a moisturizer as well.  Try to stay away from products that will be harsh for your skin because they tend to aggravate the problem.  And whenever you do, try your best not to break the surface of your skin by picking or prodding your acne.

Remember that whether you are dealing with how to get rid of blackheads or cystic acne, most medications need some time to work.  A lot of people have the initial impulse to use brute force and copious amounts of acne cream to zap away the problem.  But treatments should be introduced gradually and you need to be patient enough for them to work.  Don’t start and stop courses of acne treatment just because you think you are getting the results you want.  Sometimes it may take several weeks to get outbreaks under control, and even more time after that to get completely clear skin.

So, is the effectiveness worth the cost for acne laser treatments? Many people think not, which is why it is not such a common method to treat acne. It is, however, used as last resort by some people, when all else fails.

People who have acne prone skin should wash the skin twice daily using warm water and soap. This removes the oil and dirt from the skin and prevents acne. Since diet plays a major role in the formation of acne, consumption of fatty foods like chocolate, cheese and other oily foods should be minimized. A well balanced diet is ideal to maintain the skin healthy. A diet rich in vitamin A and vitamin E also reduces the acne.

Tea tree oil is one of the popular home remedy for acne. It has anti-bacterial property, which when applied to the skin can kill the acne causing bacteria. Fresh Lemon juice is another great home remedy for acne. It can be applied using cotton balls and should be washed after 30 minutes. If this treatment is done regularly, it is very effective in treating acne. The other home remedies include application of fresh tomato paste, mint paste and aloe Vera. Mineral and vitamin supplements such as Zinc, vitamin A and Vitamin E enhance the effectiveness of natural remedies.

Benzoyl peroxide is offered over the counter in any number of different products with varying levels of concentration. Depending on your skin type you will want a higher or lower level of benzoyl peroxide to see best results.

Benzoyl peroxide is typically applied topically to the effected area over the course of several months. It is not uncommon for acne to look worse before it gets better with this type of treatment as the bacteria is forced to the surface.