Types of acne

Acne is acne right? Wrong. Even though you couldn't care less about what type of acne you have and all you want is a new face or a really long fringe to hide your zits, you should be able to classify your own type of acne so that you are aware of all the different treatment options available.
There are nine main types of acne:

Acne vulgaris

Sounds pretty vulgar, but "vulgaris" actually means that this type of acne is the most common type and is found on the faces and bodies of the majority of adolescent acne sufferers. This type of acne may persist in adulthood and could even get worse. Most patients with acne vulgaris have oily skin.

Acne vulgaris is usually a mixture of three different kinds of acne spots, namely non-inflammatory lesions (blackheads and whiteheads and uninflamed nodules), inflammatory lesions (small red bumps, white or yellow "squeezable" spots and large red bumps) and secondary lesions (picked or scratched spots, red marks from recently healed skin, scars and dark marks from old spots).

Comedonal acne

These are the uninflamed blackheads and whiteheads that dwell on your face. Comedonal acne usually occurs on the forehead and chin.

Blackheads and whiteheads form because plugs of sebum and old skin cells block the pores in your skin.

This type of acne may be aggravated by hormones, humid weather and any oily facial products.

Infantile acne

Newborn babies may be born with mild acne on their cheeks, forehead or chin. It is more common in baby boys and normally abates after a few months.

It is caused by exposure to foetal hormones in the mother's womb.

Acne conglobata

This is a severe form of nodulocystic acne vulgaris that is found on the face, chest and back. This type of acne is more common in males and is characterised by multiple inflamed and uninflamed nodules and scars.

Acne fulminans

This rare type of acne is a very severe form of acne conglobata and not only ruins your social life, but causes fever and joint ache too. Other characteristics include an abrupt onset, severe acne scarring, inflammatory and ulcerated nodular acne on chest and back, loss of appetite and weight, raised white blood cell count and a general feeling of illness. It mostly affects males.

Acne medicamentosa

This is acne caused by or aggravated by certain medicines. Hormone medications such as oral steroids and anabolic steroids can cause severe acne. In women, oral contraceptives can aggravate acne.