How Do You Get Acne?

There are six types of acne, each of which has different characteristics. These include:

• Papules: small, red, tender bumps 
• Pustules: papules with pus at the tip 
• Whiteheads: closed plugged pores
• Blackheads: open plugged pores
• Nodules: large, painful, solid lumps under the skin 
• Cystic lesions: pus-filled, painful lumps under the skin 

Mild or moderate acne can often be treated at home. Home treatments to prevent or treat acne include: 

• Wash twice daily and after sweating and rinse with lukewarm water
• Use gentle, non-abrasive cleanser and apply with fingertips
  • Don’t scrub the skin and avoid washcloths or sponges that can irritate the skin
• Use gentle products on the skin
  • Use alcohol-free products
  • Use products that don’t cause acne — look for the following words on product labels: 
    • Non-comedogenic
    • Oil-free
    • Won't clog pores
    • Non-acnegenic
  • Avoid products that can irritate the skin because they can aggravate acne
• Don’t use too many products at once, because this can worsen acne
  • The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the use of single acne treatment for at least 4 to 6 weeks to allow it time to work
  • If there is not a noticeable improvement after that time, add a second product to your treatment regimen. 
• Shampoo oily hair daily
• Don’t pick, squeeze, or pop pimples
  • Picking at acne can make it take longer to go away and may increase the risk of scarring
• Avoid touching the face because bacteria on the fingers can enter pores and cause acne
• Avoid the sun and tanning beds
  • Ultraviolet (UV) light damages the skin
  • Some acne medications can cause the skin to be more sensitive to UV light
• Regularly wash all items that touch acne-prone skin, such as pillowcases and hats
  • Change sheets at least every week and pillowcases two to three times each week

Acne medications and treatments depend on the type of breakout you have. 

• Whiteheads, blackheads, or both
  • Usually requires topical (on the skin) medications 
  • Retinoids
  • Benzoyl peroxide
  • Azelaic acid
  • Salicylic acid
  • Topical antibiotics
  • Combination of the above
• Pimples
  • Usually requires topical (on the skin) medications 
  • Benzoyl peroxide
  • Retinoids
  • Azelaic acid 
  • Benzoyl peroxide plus a retinoid or a topical antibiotic 
  • Women may need a birth control pill or patch approved to treat acne
• Acne nodules and cysts
  • Prescription topical medication plus an oral antibiotic
  • Topical retinoids
  • Oral retinoids
  • Azelaic acid
  • Salicylic acid
  • Hormonal therapies
  • Benzoyl peroxide
  • Topical and oral antibiotics
  • Women may need a birth control pill or patch approved to treat acne

Treatments for more severe cases of acne include: 

• Laser or light therapy
  • Works best combined with other acne treatments
• Corticosteroid injections
  • Used for large, painful, deep acne breakouts
  • Relieves pain and inflammation quickly
  • Only used to treat a few severe acne breakouts due to possible side effects 

Other treatments for acne include: 

• Laser or light therapy
  • May help clear acne
  • Works best combined with other acne treatments
• Corticosteroid injections
  • Used for large, painful, deep acne breakouts
  • Relieves pain and inflammation quickly
  • Usually reserved for treating a few severe acne breakouts due to possible side effects 

Complications can happen with untreated acne, which can include:

• Areas of darkened skin (hyperpigmentation)
• Scarring
• Negative psychosocial effects 
  • Low self-esteem
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

If your acne is causing you any of the above complications, you can schedule an appointment with a dermatologist to see what treatments may work best for your condition.

Acne is diagnosed with a skin examination by a dermatologist, who can prescribe the proper medications or treatments for your acne.

There are other skin conditions that can look like acne, but they are not, and different treatment is needed. This is why it is important to get a diagnosis of acne from a dermatologist or to rule out other conditions so you can receive the right treatment. 

Conditions that look like acne include: 

• Rosacea
• Hidradenitis suppurativa (also called acne inversa)
• Perioral dermatitis
• Keratosis pilaris
• Sebaceous hyperplasia
• Folliculitis 
• Ingrown hairs
• Basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer