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Acne or pimples are one of the most common skin problems among both men and women. There can be various reasons why some have more breakouts of acne than others. To treat acne spots, we first need to know what acne is, its causes, and its types. Acne spot treatment1 is difficult, and time is required to recover fully from the acne scars.
Acne is a skin condition in which the hair follicles are filled with excess oil and dead skin cells. These cause acne breakouts; they are commonly seen among teenagers and adolescents, but there is also adult acne and bacteria acne that the acne-causing bacteria2. Each skin type has different acne treatments for them. The best acne spot treatments for any skin type could be knowing exactly what caused the acne’s active breakouts.
Acne spot treatments allow control of the breakouts now and in the future breakouts. There is no overnight treatment for the acne spots that can have them gone, but they can be concealed. But, a lot of concealment of acne spots through chemicals in the cream can lead to more acne spot breakouts.
Acne is common in skin conditions and can range from mild to severe cases depending on the skin type. Acne spot treatment allows one to immediately reduce the acne spot and notice clearer skin. Acne spot treatments are done on clogged pores, and every skin type treats acne spots differently.
Causes and Types of Acne
Causes of Acne
1. Hormones Imbalance
The reason for acne breakouts is the hormonal imbalance3 that is present during the teenage years of one’s life. Many face hormonal acne it is not easy to get rid of hormonal acne as the acne spot can last for a long time. You need to control the hormones to reduce acne breakouts.
2. More Oil in the Pores
The level of oil in the skin determines acne. If the pores are open and there is excess oil on the skin, then there is a high chance that you will get acne due to it. The best acne spot treatment would be to control the level of oil absorbed by the skin. Try to wash your face frequently to have oil-free skin.
3. Dead Skin Cells
The skin cells help to repair and renew the skin texture and health. It is good to have them, but if the skin cells are dead, then you need to remove them, or else they will result in acne breakouts for skin types in the future.
Types of Acne
1. Papules
Papules4 are the more common type of acne that one experiences. In papules, the pores are clogged with oil and dead skin cells, and to control its spread, our immune system responds to inflamed pimples so they appear red and swollen.
2. Nodules
Nodules are a type of papules acne but on the deeper layer of the skin, making it impossible to pop or treat acne. Nodule acne spots appear on the side of the face in the form of patches.
3. Blackheads
Blackheads are the pores clogged with oil and skin cells that have come in contact with the oxygen and turned black. There is no swelling, inflammation, or infection of the blackheads, and they can be removed by exfoliating the skin.
4. Whiteheads
Whiteheads are one of the trickiest types of acne to identify as they are white or skin-coloured, so it is difficult to differentiate them. The whiteheads are non-inflamed acne, so there is no swelling or redness with these pimple patches.
5. Pustules
This is the acne type that is filled with pus in it. If you pop these types of pimples, it will lead to another violent breakout over the skin and acne scars, which are very difficult to get rid of if you pop the pimple.
6. Cysts
Cystic acne5 is the acne type in which the acne is filled with pus which is inflammatory and deep in the skin. Due to cystic acne, the bacteria get into the skin and cause inflammation and swelling. It is said to be a severe type of acne and results in acne spots.
Acne Spot Treatments
1. Salicylic Acid Treatment
Salicylic acid6 is the best for acne spot treatment as it exfoliates the skin and keeps the pores clean. Salicylic acid is present in various acne spot treatment products as it is an acne-fighting ingredient that helps to unclog the pores. Salicylic acid is used to treat mild acne, like blackheads and whiteheads.
Salicylic acid treatment helps to control future breakouts. The acne treatment uses salicylic acid to control acne and acne scars, melasma, and age spots. Salicylic acid treatment involves unclogging pores and removing the dead skin cells and the excess oil you have acne. It usually takes 2 months to see the results of the salicylic acid treatment. There should not be more than two per cent salicylic acid in the product.
Many products have salicylic acid in them, but while choosing which product to use, we just need to know if it is suitable for our skin type as every skin type has a different reaction when they are in contact with the skin. Be careful when you choose any salicylic acid product, as you need to know its side effects on your skin.
2. Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide7 is another best acne spot treatments.
Benzoyl peroxide can easily get rid of dead skin cells and acne-causing bacteria. Benzoyl peroxide helps unclog pores and has acne-fighting ingredients that eliminate skin cells, bacteria, and excess oil. When you first apply benzoyl peroxide, you should be careful as you may face some side effects for sensitive skin they may experience irritation or rashes.
Benzoyl peroxide is useful for killing acne-causing bacteria.
Benzoyl peroxide is said to work more for papules and nodules rather than whiteheads and blackheads. Benzoyl peroxide helps to treat pimple patches and inflamed skin and treat breakouts. Benzoyl peroxide is also used to treat acne scars, as they might result in a moderate acne breakout. Some people also experience an allergic reaction when they apply benzoyl peroxide; if they do, they should immediately consult an expert.
Benzoyl peroxide is used in many acne spot treatment products like acne lotions, soaps, creams, body washes, and foams. The one acne-fighting active ingredient is acne-fighting benzoyl peroxide. The per cent benzoyl peroxide that should be present in the product should not be more than 4 per cent for applying on the face as it is sensitive skin.
3. Zinc Supplement
Zinc is primarily an ingredient that helps to improve the immune system and in the healing of the wound, but it is also an acne-fighting ingredient that is an anti-inflammatory that helps to reduce inflamed pimple patches that are the redness and irritation caused by acne. It is used for treating acne spots that are classified as moderate acne to severe acne spots.
Zinc helps to reduce the worsened acne spots, and it is the best acne spot treatment for nodules and pustules. It is a one-stop acne solution for severe cases of acne. Zinc can be used on all skin types. Many medical and cosmetic dermatology experts suggest including it in our diet and skincare routine as they help fight various illnesses.
Zinc is used in acne products which helps to reduce unsightly blemishes and acne treatment. Everyone consumes zinc, but it differs for the age that consumes it. So, try to maintain the proportion consumed so that you don’t need to take supplements and can improve your immune system.
4. Laser Treatment For Acne Spot Treatment
Laser acne spot treatment helps to reduce acne scars. It is the best overnight treatment for acne spots. The laser treatment helps in only making the acne spots less visible but not removing them fully. The acne treatment with lasers is unsuitable for all skin types as the treatment only focuses on acne scars and preventing future breakouts.
Along with laser treatment, there is also light treatment wherein red light reduces inflammation, and blue light reduces the acne-causing bacteria. For performing these acne treatments, you first need to fulfil some conditions; then, only you will be able to do the laser or light treatment as required.
Though you do the laser or light treatment, you have to follow other things not to cause more breakouts resulting in more acne spots than before. Also, there are other side effects of laser or light treatment, like redness, swelling, stings, or burn marks from exposure to the light or laser. So, you should consider carefully before taking any decision.
5. Aloe Vera
The aloe vera gel helps acne-fighting as they have salicylic acid and sulfur. The gel is proven to be the acne-fighting ingredient that enables the reduction of acne spots and improves skin texture. It can be taken from the plant directly and applied to the skin irritation or acne spot treatments for immediate effects. Aloe vera gel can be used for treating acne spots of all kinds.
The acne spot treatment with aloe vera gel is effective and efficient as it controls inflammation of the pimple, accelerates healing of pimples ASAP, and prevents infection that could worsen acne spots. It is used not only as an acne-fighting gel but also to reduce wrinkles, dry skin, and dark spots. The gel could be used on all skin types.
The gel is used to reduce pimples fast and zits overnight as it has a cooling ingredient to help soothe the pain caused by the zits and acne spots. You can apply the gel in a thin layer and keep it overnight or wash it after some time. Regular use of the gel ensures clearer skin and keeps skin healthy, so it can be considered the best acne spot treatment.
6. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil8 is the best acne spot treatment, a well-known traditional medicine for centuries. Tea tree oil unclogs pores and removes bacteria, oily skin, and smaller pores from all skin types. Tea tree oil is as effective as benzoyl peroxide and helps with irritated skin, redness, and unsightly blemishes.
Tea tree oil is mostly used to treat black and whiteheads and cystic acne. Tea tree oil is anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic, which helps in acne spot treatment. The oil is mostly harmless, but if you experience swelling or irritated skin after applying it, you should stop using it.
Tea tree oil can be applied independently or by mixing other essential oils. You need to dilute the oil, take a cotton swab, and put the oil on the skin with just a dab, as it would soothe the pain caused by the pimples. You can also purchase acne products with tea tree oil as an active ingredient, but use them wisely.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a remedy for many things, from appetite control to acne spot treatments. It helps to fight infection, bacteria, and inflammation caused by pimples. It helps improve hyperpigmentation, remove white and blackheads, and exfoliate the skin. Apple cider vinegar can be used at most 4 times a week and not more than that.
The acne spot treatment with vinegar is beneficial as there are many benefits of the vinegar. Still, you need to be careful not to apply the vinegar directly on the skin mix it with the water, and the ratio should be in such a way that there is more water and less vinegar in the acne solutions, as more vinegar can damage the skin.
While applying the apple cider vinegar, you should be careful as it may not suit all skin types. The acne spot treatment is necessary, but you should not overdo the times you apply the vinegar as it burns your skin and causes skin irritation.
8. Honey, Cinnamon, And Turmeric
We know that honey, cinnamon, and turmeric have many benefits, but it is also the best acne spot treatments that are proven to benefit many as used. All three are known as antiseptics and help to soothe the pain. You can use the three ingredients separately or individually, but they will give you results nonetheless.
You can apply the three active ingredients by making a mask of honey and cinnamon mask or turmeric and honey. The mask should be used in a thin layer and left for a maximum of 20 minutes. After that, you can rinse your face with water. As honey removes dirt and oil from clogged pores, turmeric and cinnamon help to repair the skin.
9. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is one of the best acne spot treatments as it has antiseptic qualities, which help to remove excess oil from the skin, and is anti-inflammatory which helps to soothe the skin. Witch hazel, if used in more proportion, can cause dry skin and skin irritation. It also helps in controlling further breakouts.
Witch hazel is not only used for acne spot treatment but also for insect bites, sunburns, or burn marks. Witch hazel should be applied only on the infected area and not elsewhere, as all skin types could have a different reaction. If after applying witch hazel you notice spot treatments tend to be dry and irritate your skin, do not use it further.
Key Takeaway
Through this, we learned what acne is, its types, its causes, and nine acne spot treatments that would help reduce acne spots. The acne treatment does not give overnight clearer skin but can considerably reduce acne spots. The various acne spot treatments suggested help to get the frequent breakouts in control.
The sensitive skin types suffer the most from the various acne products as they mostly have reactions. Salicylic acid products are said to be good for acne treatment and other acids. Some other acids besides salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxides, like glycolic acid and azelaic acid, help treat acne spots.
But, even after trying the treatment, you should consult a dermatologist immediately if you do not see many results and stubborn breakouts. They may give you the proper reason why there were no results even after trying and suggest some medication and acne spot treatment products.
FAQs
1. Do acne spots fade off?
Ans. Generally, acne spots fade off but it takes a long period of time like a year or two.
2. How do I get clear skin?
Ans. Follow the tips to get clearer skin:
- Do not pop or touch your pimples.
- Moisturize your face with a moisturizer suitable according to your skin type.
- Do not keep touching your face, this will create pimples from the germs in your hand.
- Do not wash your face with hot water.
- Wash your face with mild facewash twice a day.
3. What type of food can trigger acne?
Ans. Soda, cake, and white rice are some of the foods that can trigger acne.
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Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology