When most people spot a pimple on the face, their first reaction is to panic and wonder how they'll stop it in its tracks. But the truth is, acne is a lot more complex than that. There are many types of pimples caused by various factors, but more often than not, most of them are written off as basic ol' acne.
To best understand why you've got these pimples, it's important to know exactly what type they are of, to begin with, and what category they fall into. Depending on that, you can then treat your acne under the guidance of a dermatologist.
1. Blackheads
At some point or another, you've definitely found yourself with a blackhead, which is characterised by a black covering on top of the pimple. Blackheads are known as open comedones as, apart from the seed, the pimple is open. They fall under the non-inflammatory type of acne as they usually don't swell much.
2. Whiteheads
In white heads, the white seed blocks the top of the pimple and hence, they are also known as closed comedones. As they are sealed off from the rest of the skin, whiteheads are tougher to treat than other forms of acne.
3. Papules
You can identify papules as miniscule bumps which appear in patches like a rash. They are caused when the pore walls break down, leaving them tough to touch and generally red and inflamed around the affected area.
4. Nodules
Unlike most acne strains, nodules occur deep below the surface of the skin and appear as large, swollen bumps. Nodules don't usually contain pus, and feel hard when touched. Being deeply rooted in the skin can make treating nodules tough and may require oral medication prescribed by a dermatologist.
5. Pustules
These are types of acne lesions characterised by a pus-filled centre that's yellowish to white in colour. Although it can be tempting to pop pustules and get rid of the gunk once and for all, stop yourself -- this could lead to bacteria and scarring.
6. Cysts
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One of the most severe forms of acne, cysts form deep below the skin and usually appear inflamed and filled with pus. Cysts can be extremely painful as the skin becomes tender when retaining pus. Depending on the depth of the cysts, they are treated by a skin specialist through lancing, medication or pus removal.
