How do you get rid of comedonal acne ?

 COMEDONAL ACNE :


The appearance of comedonal acne is different from that of inflammatory acne. Comedonal acne involves blackheads and whiteheads rather than pimples.

While this form can develop in anyone, it is most common  in young adolescents. The papules, called comedones, usually occur on the forehead and chin and can prevent the skin from appearing smooth and even. There are several types of acne. Comedonal acne is characterized by many small, flesh-colored papules that make the skin appear bumpy.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF COMEDONAL ACNE ?


Comedonal acne causes many small bumps to form close to the surface of the skin. Types of these bumps include :

  • Whiteheads: Also known as closed comedones, these form because a hair follicle is completely blocked.
  • Blackheads: Also called open comedones, these are the result of surface pigments collecting in the pores, forming dark dots on the skin. Some people mistake these dots for dirt.
  • Giant comedones: These are a type of cyst. A giant comedone is a large lesion with a blackhead-like opening.
  • Macrocomedones: These closed comedones are larger than 2–3 millimeters across.
  • Microcomedones: These extremely small comedones are usually not visible.
  • Solar comedones: These typically result from sun damage and usually form in older adults, primarily on the cheeks.

Comedonal acne is noninflammatory. The lesions do not usually contain pus or the bacteria that can cause acne. They are also typically neither red nor tender to the touch.

A person with comedonal acne may have more than one type of comedone at a time. Meanwhile, people with inflammatory acne can also have comedones, in addition to larger red and tender blemishes.

Comedonal acne also differs from other types because its lesions tend to be small. Nodular and nodulocystic forms of acne, for example, can cause larger, tender, fluid-filled lesions to form.

RISK FACTORS OF COMEDONAL  ACNE :

Comedones form when excess oil and dead skin cells block the oil-producing glands in the skin. This causes the affected pores to bulge outward, creating the bumps.

Several factors can contribute to the development of comedonal acne. They include:

  • skin irritation from contact with oils, dyes, and similar products
  • excessive testosterone production, which can increase oil production
  • harsh contact with the skin, such as from squeezing pimples, having a chemical peel, or exfoliating roughly

People who smoke are more likely to experience comedonal acne. Also, for some people, dietary factors, such as eating too much milk or sugar, can lead to this issue.

Other risk factors for comedonal acne include:

  • high dairy consumption
  • diet that consists of a lot of fats and sugars
  • overhydrated skin, usually from using the wrong moisturizer
  • high humidity
  • laser therapy or chemical peels
  • follicle injury from “picking” skin or popping comedones

HOW TO TREAT COMEDONAL  ACNE ?


Treating comedonal acne involves adjusting skin care habits, using medicated creams or gels, and, sometimes, changing the diet.

Surgical treatments

Surgery may be needed if topicals and medications fail to clear up severe comedonal acne outbreaks. These types of treatments may also help with recurring comedones. Acne surgery, for example, uses needles and small blades to open and remove comedonal acne lesions.

Your healthcare provider may also recommend microdermabrasion. To do this, a machine will blow small crystals onto your skin or a diamond-tipped wand will be rubbed on your skin to remove the top surface layer. This helps open and remove comedones. It may also help remove any related scars.

Cryotherapy is another surgical option. During the procedure, your healthcare provider will apply liquid nitrogen to the comedones. This freezes them for removal.

A skin care routine designed to reduce comedones may involve:

  • washing the face twice daily with a mild soap and lukewarm water to avoid irritation
  • refraining from using skin or hair care products, including cosmetics, that contain oil
  • applying a prescription or over-the-counter topical medication daily

A person may need to use a medication for at least 8 weeks  before they can tell whether it has been effective.

Various medicated creams and gels can help reduce excess oil and promote skin cell turnover. An effective medication may contain:

  • adapalene
  • azelaic acid
  • benzoyl peroxide
  • glycolic acid
  • salicylic acid

If a comedonal acne does not respond to the above treatments after several months, the person may benefit from seeing a dermatologist, who may prescribe topical medications called retinoids.

These medicines promote skin cell turnover. However, they require a prescription because they can be more abrasive to the skin. Examples of retinoids include tretinoin and isotretinoin.

Unlike inflammatory acne, comedonal acne does not usually respond well to antibiotics, isotretinoin pills, or hormonal medicines that can control breakouts, such as birth control pills.

Rarely, comedonal acne does not respond to topical treatments. In this case, a doctor may recommend an in-office treatment to close off comedones in an effort to keep them from coming back. These treatments include:

NATURAL REMEDIES :

There is some evidence that natural remedies can help resolve acne due to their anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, or antioxidant effects.

Popular home remedies for acne involve:

  • tea tree oil
  • aloe vera gel
  • honey
  • garlic
Before using any new skin treatment or remedy, consult a general practitioner or dermatologist. Also, always do a patch test on a small area of skin to be sure that the product or remedy does not cause irritation.

Natural treatments are increasingly being investigated for all types of acne, including comedones. However, these aren’t a replacement for your healthcare provider-approved treatment plan.

Talk with your healthcare provider or dermatologist about your options for natural treatment and how to incorporate these remedies as a complementary therapy.

Tea tree oil

In alternative medicine, tea tree oil is used for a variety of skin ailments. It’s touted for helping with inflammation, as well as infections. Tea tree oil may help comedonal acne by reducing sebum and calming the skin. You’ll likely be able to find moisturizers and spot treatments containing the oil at your local drugstore.

Witch hazel

Witch hazal acts as a natural astringent to help balance your skin’s moisture. It has the added benefit of opening closed comedones. This can help remove trapped dirt and other debris.

You can use witch hazel in place of your usual astringent up to twice a day.

Charcoal or clay masks

With comedonal acne, charcoal and clay masks work better than other formulations because they help dry out trapped sebum in your pores. They can even help get rid of trapped dirt and skin cells, making blackhead removal easier.


HOW TO PREVENT COMEDONAL ACNE ?

A person’s skin may respond best to an over-the-counter adapalene gel sold as Differin, the article’s authors conclude, after reviewing tolerance to various retinoids.

Consistently following a skin care routine that involves washing the face and using gentle, oil-free products can also help prevent future comedone breakouts. Treating comedonal acne may also help prevent it from returning. Using topical retinoids, for example, can prevent the formation of further comedones.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What are signs of cancer on the lips ?

Image
 LIP CANCER : Lip cancer develops from abnormal cells that grow out of control and form lesions or tumors on the lips. Lip cancer is a type of oral cancer. It develops in thin, flat cells — called squamous cells — that line the: lips mouth tongue cheeks sinuses throat hard and soft palates Lip cancer and other kinds of oral cancer are types of head and neck cancers. Certain lifestyle choices can increase your risk of developing lip cancer. These include: smoking cigarettes heavy alcohol use excessive sun exposure tanning Dentists are typically the first to notice signs of lip cancer, often during a routine dental exam. Lip cancer is highly curable when diagnosed early. WHAT ARE THE CAUSE OF LIP CANCER ? Lip cancer is a type of oral cancer that  begins Trusted Source  in the mucosa of the mouth. This is the tissue that lines the mouth. Lip cancer is the  most common  cancer of the mouth. More than 90%  of oral mucosa cancers, including lip cancers, begin in the squamous cells of the epi
Read more

What is the main cause of lipoma ?

Image
 LIPOMA : Lipomas are  benign soft tissue tumors . They grow slowly and are not cancerous. Most lipomas don’t need treatment. If a lipoma is bothering you, your healthcare provider can remove it with an outpatient procedure. A lipoma is a round or oval-shaped lump of tissue that grows just beneath the skin. It’s made of fat, moves easily when you touch it and doesn’t usually cause pain. Lipomas can appear anywhere on the body, but they’re most common on the back, trunk (torso), arms, shoulders and neck.   A lipoma is a lump of fatty tissue that grows just under the skin. Lipomas move easily when you touch them and feel rubbery, not hard. Most lipomas aren’t painful and don't cause health problems so they rarely need treatment. If a lipoma is bothering you, your provider can remove it. WHAT THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF LIPOMA ? Lipomas aren’t usually painful, but they can be uncomfortable if they press against a nerve or develop near a joint. Many people who have a lipoma don’t notice
Read more

What is Canker Sore and how to treat them ?

Image
  CANKER SORES  Canker sores are a tyoe of mouth sore . They can be irritating and painful but not contagious . Canker sore causes included stress , acidic foods amd minor injuries  to the inside of your mouth. Treatments include over the counter or prescription gels , ointments and rinses . Even without treatment , canker sores usually go away within two weeks .  Canker sores - or aphthous ulcers - are small , shallow ulcers that occur in the lining of your mouth . A canker  sore starts as a white or yellowish  mouth sore with a red border .  They're  usually very small but may grow to 1/2 inch in diameter . Get canker sore on your tongue , gums , roof of your mouth, inside  of your tongue . They can be  painful and often make  eating and talking uncomcomfortable .  There are two types of canker sores : 1. SIMPLE CANKER SORES : These may appear three or four times a year  and  last up to a week .  2. COMPLEX CANKER SORES : These are less common and occur more often  in the peopl
Read more