Acne

Types of acne

• Blackheads — small, black spots with black or dark centers, most commonly form when you have large pores.
• Whiteheads — small, light-colored bumps on the skin, form from small openings in the pores.
• Pimples — tender, swollen inflammations on the skin; both blackheads and whiteheads can develop into pimples.
• Nodules — firm swellings that form below the surface of the skin and occur when the clogged pores become inflamed and/or infected.

Causes of acne

Although the exact cause of acne is unknown, factors that contribute to the condition include:

• Family history of acne
• Certain medications such as oral corticosteroids, testosterone, oral contraceptives, halogens, antiepileptics, antituberculous medications, antidepressants, ciclosporin, B vitamins.
• Changing hormone levels
• Wearing makeup

Risk factors for acne

There are several factors that contribute to acne including:

• Age — teenagers are most likely to develop acne.
• Heredity — if your parents had acne during their teenage years, you are more likely to develop it as well.
• High stress environment — stress can make acne breakouts more severe.
• Use of oily skin care products — if you use oily makeup or skin care products, it can make you more likely to develop acne.
• Changing hormones — as people go through puberty, hormones can change rapidly, which can make you more likely to develop acne.

Diagnosis of acne

Acne can be diagnosed by a primary care doctor or dermatologist in a physical exam.

Treatment for acne

The main goals for acne treatment are to eliminate current acne, stop new pimples from forming, prevent scarring and limit side effects. Treatment options include:

• Over-the-counter medications — oral or topical over-the-counter medications may be effective in treating mild cases of acne.
• Prescription medications — more serious cases of acne may need prescription medications, such as benzoyl peroxide, antiandrogens and oral retinoids.
• In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a combination of medications to maximize results.

If medications alone are not effective in clearing up your acne, your doctor may recommend other therapies such as:

Photodynamic (laser) therapy
During photodynamic therapy, your doctor will apply a topical prescription to your acne and then use a laser to activate the medication, killing the bacteria and reducing the size of oil glands.

Steroid injection 
A steroid injection can be used to treat stubborn nodules. This therapy is only used to treat localized acne and is not a permanent cure due to the side effects, which may include skin thinning, lighter skin tone and blood vessels appearing on the affected area.