Acne: its various forms and effective treatment


 Life throws various challenges just as one steps into teenage. Just as career concerns and relationship issues are hard to grapple with, so are the physiological changes during puberty. Out of the issues, one that comes as a constant trouble is acne. Acne, medically known as Acne Vulgaris is so common that it is considered a normal part of growing into an adult. This primarily occurs when the sebaceous glands secrete excess oil and clog the pore or microscopic hair follicles, which in combination with sweat, dirt and dust allows bacteria and germs to boom.



There are various types of acne which are sometimes classified into grades. The broad categories under which acne can be classified are non-inflammatory acne and inflammatory acne.

Non-inflammatory acne

Whitehead: When the excess sebum or bacteria stay below the surface of the skin, a whitehead is formed which might be visible as tiny white spots.

Blackhead: Blackheads are formed when the pore gets exposed to the surface and the sebum,which contains the melanin, oxidizes and turns a brown or black in color.

Inflammatory acne

When the acne appears on the skin as swollen red patches, they are known as inflammatory acne. When the white blood cells clog the pore and becomes inflamed, it is called papule, whereas when the white blood cells rush to the surface of the skin it is known as pustule. Severe inflammatory reactions resulting in pus filled wounds are known as cysts or nodule.

Course of treatment

Excessive scrubbing, squeezing or popping the pimples is not recommended as it aggravates the problem and results in dark scars. Resorting to effective medication is the key to address the issue. While, various over the counter creams, gels and ointments are available, the ones containing mandelic and salicylic acid as the main ingredients are most recommended. Salicylic acid is a strong acne-fighting ingredient. It causes exfoliation of the skin and peeling, which can help the lesions to shrink. Meanwhile, Mandelic Acid, a form of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) absorbs the oils on the face and is particularly
effective in curbing repeated outbreaks of the acne.