What causes acne?

Acne develops when pores become clogged. What type of acne you get depends on what clogs your pores.
You can develop any combination of these breakouts on your skin

• Blackheads
• Whiteheads
• Pimples

If it is both it can be very deep and painful

• Nodules
• Cysts

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​Describes how each of these breakouts develops with pictures.

​Blackheads

​Dermatologists recommend to treat this type of acne with retinoid, by squeezing a blackhead can cause an infection or worse will get permanent scar.

This type of acne also develops when excess oil and dead skin cells build up inside the pore. As it accumulates, it widens the opening of the pore and you see blackheads.
Question most people ask are “why blackheads are black?” it is due to chemical reaction. When it build up inside the pore it reacts with oxygen in the air, the black colour appears. And it is not like many people mistakenly believe due to dirt.
 
Whiteheads

​​Many will pick at whiteheads and it lead to more whiteheads and acne scars. Dermatologists recommend treating whitehead with an acne treatment instead of picking.

Whiteheads form when excess oil and dead skin cells build up and opening of a pore. It will cause a blemish to raise white or flesh colour.
 
Pimple

​Cause by excess oil, dead skin cells and bacteria trapped inside the pore. The bacteria which are found on our skin can be multiple quicky in the excess oil. Pore fills with bacteria will be inflamed(swelling) and pimple appears.

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Acne nodules or cyst

​Extremely painful acne nodules or cyst
Pore fills with enough excess oil, dead skin cells and bacteria to cause inflammation/swelling that deep under the skin. Because these breakouts go so deep into the skin that you feel tender or painful. 

The main different between Acne nodules and cyst is that a cyst contains “PUS” and nodules don’t contain pus. They feel harder to the touch than cyst.

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​Need More Advice?
Visit Pure Element for your professional advice on what might be the cause of your breakout and how to achieve clear skin.
 
Our Address:
Pure Element- The Best Dermalogica Facial Singapore
Ang Mo Kio Blk 233 Ave 3 unit no. #01-1180 Singapore 560233