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Pimples 101: Everything You
Want To Know, But Are Too
Grossed Out To Ask
LISA FOGARTY
MAY 26, 2015
We’re forever cursing them and trying to banish them from existence, but how much do most of
us really know about pimples? Maybe you’re thinking: yuck, how much does anyone need to
know except that they ruined my prom, wedding, and every driver’s license photo I’ve ever taken?
But remember, knowing your enemy is the first step to defeating it. And to that end, we spoke
with skin experts to find out everything there is to know about pimples from where they come
from to how we can effectively destroy and crush their souls forever (too extreme?).
What, exactly, is acne?
Once and for all, here’s the definition you need to determine whether you’re one of 40 to 50
million Americans who suffer from acne. “Acne is a common, inflammatory skin condition that
is characterized by plugged pores, blackheads, pimples, and deep bumps,” says Dr. Jill Waibel,
a dermatologist with Miami Dermatology & Laser Institute. “Acne can be irritating, annoying
and even a little embarrassing, and for those with acne prone skin, it can be especially
frustrating to manage. Luckily, there are several kinds of treatment available that can assist in
treating all different kinds of acne.”
Are there different types of pimples?
You betcha. Dr. Chynna Steele of Steele Dermatology says, when it comes to acne she typically
sees three different kinds of bumps: whiteheads and blackheads, small red bumps and
“pustules,” and deep cysts. Let’s get to know these fellas a little more intimately, shall we?
- Whiteheads and blackheads. Steele describes this type of acne as congested pores. These
aren’t necessarily the result of improper face-washing, but could just come about because some
of us have skin cells that can be a little “too sticky” and create a plug in the pores. “Besides just
being prone to them, using heavy oils or pore-clogging moisturizers may make these come
about,” Steele says. Skin and beauty expert Katrina Fadda of Bona Fide Skin Care describes
blackheads as an entirely different beast. “These little plugs can form even if the rest of your
skin is completely clear,” she explains. “Because they are a ‘plug’ that doesn’t close over, the
body doesn’t have to get rid of them (no inflammation) so they can stay indefinitely. They are
extremely common anywhere that pores may be larger due to more oil production, such as the ‘T
Zone.’”
- Red bumps and pustules. Pustules are what people generally think of when they hear the word
“zit,” Steele says. “It’s the cartoon version of a zit on commercials and in ads; you know, that red
bump with a little white blister on top with pus.” Both papules and pistules (don’t they sound
like the names of evil twins from a horror movie?) are raised, red spots that are often a result of
infected hair follicles, Waibel says. “Papules and pustules are tender to the touch, but the main
difference is that pustules contain a yellowish, liquid pus center while papules can be hard,”
Waibel explains.
- Cysts. These painful and tender red bumps, which feel like they are beneath the skin, are the
ones most associated with genetics and hormones. “Cysts are caused by hormones called
androgens, and during teenage years, these androgens are at a high,” Waibel says. “Hormonal
changes in women can result from menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause, causing cysts.
Truthfully, eating a lot of chocolate or never washing your face won’t result in bad acne; it is 100
percent caused by hormones.”
Why do some pimples form pus?
Next time you notice a pimple filled with pus, thank your body instead of cussing it because this
sticky yellowish-white goo is a sign that our systems are working well enough to send white
blood cells (which are called dead leukocytes) to an infection to help get rid of it. “The ‘pus filled’
pimples are inflamed, the pus is the body’s reaction to an infection,” Fadda says. “The smaller
pimples that don’t seem to form a head are usually just a blocked pore that isn’t a threat.”
Is it bad to pop pimples?
In a nutshell: it depends on the pimple and its stage of life. “I encourage patients not to ‘pop’
anything that is red (i.e. cysts and pustules) because that redness is a sign of inflammation, so
most of the time you’re not going to get anything out and you’re only going to make the bump
more inflamed by messing with it,” Steele says. “While it won’t hurt to just remove the pus filled
top of a pustule (the ‘head’), you won’t get rid of the underlying red bump by doing so and you
run the risk of making it more inflamed and/or infected. My biggest advice is to be gentle!
Pushing harder and using tools to dig deeper just a bad idea. Whiteheads and blackheads can
be extracted, but again, be gentle. If they aren’t easily coming out then don’t push the issue.”
How can we prevent acne?
Once you get acne, there’s no quick fix, Waibel says. The best thing you can do is get yourself on
a skin care regimen that prevents pimples and keeps skin clear. “All over skin treatments to keep
your skin clear include topical creams and solutions and oral medications,” Steele says. “Also,
there are some cleansers that I sell in office that are great for acne. I tend to stay away from
strictly salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide cleansers that you often find in the drug store, which
can be drying and irritating; Instead I like multi acid cleansers with glycolic acid.”
Examples of topicals that might be prescribed to you include AcZone, Tazorac, Acanya, and
benzoyl peroxide, Waibel says. “These can help rid the skin of oil and dead skin cells. Oral
antibiotics can also be offered to help control bacteria and lower inflammation. I always
recommend doxycycline,” she says. Hormonal therapy is another choice for acne treatment, as
oral contraceptive pills or Spirnalactone help control hormones and counter those that promote
acne development, Waibel adds.
What in-office treatments do you recommend to help acne?
If you’ve tried everything you can at home and nothing seems to work for you, it may be time to
give over your skin to professionals and consider an in-office treatment. “I’m a big fan of
chemical peels–salicylic acid in particular is great for acne,” Fadda says. “A course of peels
from a professional can greatly reduce acne, control oil, reduce scars and help balance skin
overall. If acne is very severe, antibiotics, prescription Vitamin A or Accutane may be
recommended by a dermatologist.”
What about lasers?
Laser therapies, like PDL laser and Blu-U, also help moderate acne, Waibel says, but as of now,
the only real cure for acne is Isotretinoin, also known as Accutane. Unfortunately, the side
effects of taking Accutane can be dramatic and can include depression, Crohn’s disease, and
even birth defects if taken while pregnant. But doctors are making strides every day in finding
other progressive solutions to treat and eliminate acne, so don’t be discouraged. “We are
currently conducting a clinical trial that aims to treat acne using tunable gold nanoparticles
that absorb laser light,” Waibel says. “When the gold nanoparticles are applied to the skin, they
transverse down the hair follicle and sebaceous gland and are activated by the laser to help
treat acne. We are one of 20 sites in the nation that was chosen to conduct this important study
and hope to see a new treatment on the market that will ease the frustrations and pains of
managing stubborn acne.”
For more beauty tips, check out everything you want to know about ingrown hairs and 8 places
you don’t think to put sunscreen, but should.
TAGS: ACNE, BEAUTY, PIMPLES, SKIN CARE,
SKINCARE
A MESSAGE FROM JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD
Happily Ever After In Jamaica
Tying the knot is a piece of cake on the island of All Right. Come to Jamaica to celebrate your
special day.
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Lenora Smith · Owner at Blues Babies
I look at that picture and I just wanna pop the hell out of that pimple! LOL
Like · Reply · Aug 11, 2015 2:04pm
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