What are the different kinds of acne?

Acne is often divided into different types but the pathology of all acne is very similar. There is overactivity of the grease glands and sensitivity to hormones and bacterial infection.

The types of acne are divided as follows:

Common acne, or acne vulgaris: this is the kind of acne that affects teenagers commonly giving rise to blackheads and pimples (white heads). It tends to persist for up to 2 1/2 years on average but is easily amenable to treatment.

Nodulocystic acne: normally deeper spot formation with larger lesions, swelling, discharge of pus, scarring. This can affect the face chest and back and will often leave scarring hence urgent treatment.

“Hormonal acne“:  most acne is sensitive to hormones and often when a female is due a menstrual cycle, the acne will flare up. Treatment is the same as for all other forms of acne but ruling out polycystic ovarian syndrome is often useful. Hormonal suppression can help this type of acne as can birth control tablets for women.

Acne rosacea: this is a fairly superficial type of acne occurring on the face and there are two components;

the ‘acne’ component - small pimples or red bumps which

and the ‘rosacea’ component - redness that arises from these bumps which can be acute due to inflammation or sometimes chronic due to dilated blood vessels. It usually affects the face and doesn’t normally scar very much.

Folliculitis: any inflammation or infection of a hair follicle can be called folliculitis but often in the scalp one gets thus type of acne which may just be superficial or maybe deep and scarring e.g. folliculitis de Calvans. It is important to get any form of scarring acne treated early.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa: this is a very deep cystic pustular inflammation occurring often in the armpits groins neck and scalp. It is extremely difficult to treat and often leaves scarring with permanent discharging sinuses. Usually a combination of strong medication plus or minus surgery to remove the abscesses is required.

With the exception of hidradenitis, acne generally responds extremely well to treatment and can be cleared completely. It does require a fairly long course of medication and the results are often be permanent, but sometimes the acne comes back again.

Whatever the acne type you are suffering with, if there is scarring, it is essential to treat as soon as possible to prevent further lifelong damage to the skin. If you have any concerns about acne, get in touch with one of our team and let us treat you today.