The Different Types of Acne and What They Say about Your Health
How Acne Starts
Different Types of Acne
- Blackheads occur when a clogged pore of a pimple fills with excess dead skin cells, bacteria, and oil, yet but does not close, and a black spot becomes visible.
- A whitehead is a clogged pore with excess dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria on which a tiny white or flesh-colored bump develops.
- Papules occur when the bacteria, dead skin cells, and oil push deep beneath the surface of the skin, causing inflammation and swelling in the form of small, hard red bumps.
- Pustules can resemble an oversized whitehead because the bump that has formed contains pus, which appears as a yellowish-white center on top of a red, swollen blemish.
- Cysts/Nodules penetrate deep below the skin and result in more swollen pustules or papules.
What Your Acne Says about Your Health
- Forehead acne could signify poor digestive health, stress or, even simple skin irritation from hats and hair on the skin, which can clog pores.
- Cheek acne could be the result of air pollution, as the skin on the cheek is affected by the respiratory system. Acne here could also be due to cell phones, dirty hands, makeup brushes, clothing, and pillowcases.
- T-zone acne consisting of your forehead, nose, and chin is believed to result from food allergies or an imbalance of the GI tract
- Nose acne is thought to correspond to the heart and blood pressure problems. A diet lacking in essential fatty acids found in foods like wild-caught salmon, avocados, flaxseed and olive oil may be a reason for this type of underlying health ailment.
- Chin acne is commonly associated with a hormone imbalance.
- Acne on the back, arms, and thighs could develop due to friction from genetics and hormone fluctuations.