TL;DR:
- Acne: Chronic inflammatory disease of sebaceous glands, commonly appearing in the face's T-zone, back, shoulders, neck, and décolletage. Causes include hormonal/genetic factors, poor diet, smoking, and improper hygiene.
- Rosacea: Causes facial redness triggered by stress, sun exposure, vitamin B12/B6 intake, endocrine disorders, and certain medications.
- Infantile Acne: Affects babies 2-3 weeks old; usually harmless and resolves by 3 months.
- Adolescent Acne: Hormonal acne during puberty (ages 11-18); treat early to avoid scarring.
- Blackhead Acne: Caused by blocked sebaceous glands; appears as open (black) or closed (white) blackheads.
- Reverse Acne: Seen in men; linked to hair follicle inflammation, obesity, and smoking.
- Cystic Acne: Severe, painful, pus-filled cysts, often leaving scars; linked to hormones and genetics.
- Treatment: Includes topical creams, ointments, tablets, cosmetic treatments, dietary adjustments, and herbal remedies.
It is commonly believed that acne is an imperfection of youthful skin. However, the problem of appearing pimples on the face also affects mature women and men. As it is quite a bothersome and visible problem, treatment should be undertaken quickly. Without proper care and medication, acne will not disappear on its own, so it is worth going to a specialist who will select skin care treatments that will help fight problematic acne of various types.
What is acne?
Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands, which is quite characteristic. Numerous pimples, papules, pustules, and purulent cysts appear on the patient's face. Acne most often occurs in the sebaceous glands on the face, that is, in the chin area of the nose and forehead – in the so-called T-zone. In some people acne symptoms also appear on the back, shoulders, neck and décolletage. As a result of inflammation of the sebaceous glands, the skin on the patient's face is covered with excessive amounts of sebum, making it glow. The causes of acne can be many, for the reason that there are many different types of acne. The most common reason for acne is hormonal or genetic factors. On the other hand, poor diet, smoking and improper hygiene have a big impact on how adult acne runs and develops.
rosacea
Acne rosacea is characterized by the skin turning pink very quickly under the influence of various factors. In the early stages of the condition, pink discoloration of the skin and erythema usually appear on the central part of the face. Then pimples and papular acne may appear. laser treatment of rosacea Rosacea is associated with the presence of vasomotor neuropathy of the skin. This means that the blood vessels on the facial skin show increased activity without fixing the skin lesions. Sudden and severe redness of the skin occurs, among other things:
- as a result of stress,
- overexposure to the sun,
- in case of high doses of vitamin B12 and B6,
- when using chlorinated pools,
- in cases of endocrine disorders.
In addition, rosacea appears in patients who have herpes or who use cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Infantile acne
Not everyone is aware that children can also be affected by acne. In the case of the youngest, there is the so-called infant acne. Its symptoms are very similar to those of adult acne or youth acne. It usually appears in children who are 2 – 3 weeks old and can accompany them up to the age of 3 months. The causes of acne in infants are not clearly defined. One of them could be the mother's hormones, which enter the fetus through the placenta during pregnancy, or reactions to certain cosmetics used during grooming. Infantile acne generally does not require treatment, as it disappears on its own. However, if it persists on the baby's skin for several weeks, it is worth consulting a doctor for possible treatment.
Adolescent acne
Juvenile acne occurs during puberty and usually passes with the passage of time. It is a hormonal acne that occurs most often between the ages of 11 and 18. A teenager's skin develops pimples and blackheads, both open and closed, which can develop into inflammation. This results in the appearance of acne on the back, neck, and décolletage and arms. In the case of juvenile acne, it is worthwhile to consult a specialist and choose the right treatment to prevent scars that stay on the skin permanently and can cause complexes in adolescents.
Blackhead acne
Acne comes in different varieties, and its mild form is blackhead acne. It most often appears in the forehead and mid-face area. The cause of blackheads is excess sebum production and hormonal changes. As a result of excess sebum, the ducts of the sebaceous gland become blocked, causing bacteria to accumulate, leading to the formation of purulent pimples. Blackhead acne comes in two types – as open blackheads and closed blackheads. Open blackheads are characterized by their black color, while closed blackheads are white and resemble subcutaneous papules.
Reverse acne
Inverted acne most commonly affects men during puberty and is caused by dermatological conditions. This disease often begins with inflammation of the hair follicles. Numerous pimples, blackheads, and sometimes pus, ulcers and fistulas appear on the patient's skin. It is worth remembering that inverted acne can also occur in the genital area, and factors that cause its severity include obesity and excessive smoking.
cystic acne
Advanced and difficult to treat is cystic acne, the causes of which are attributed to hormonal balance and genetics. The skin develops unsightly cysts that are filled with pus. The lesions on the patient's skin appear as nodules, which are often painful. If left untreated, cystic acne can spread and leave permanent scars.
How to treat acne?
Acne treatment should be individually tailored to the type of acne and its severity. Therefore, each patient should be treated individually, and treatment should be preceded by an extensive history and examination of the patient. The treatment of acne is primarily topical. Patients are prescribed an acne ointment with an appropriate formulation to relieve acne symptoms. Also used are acne cream, peels or cosmetic treatments. Treatment also includes acne tablets, and if the cause of acne is inadequate nutrition then an acne diet, which will help alleviate acne, is recommended. In some cases, acne herbs with soothing, cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties can be helpful.
Conclusion
Acne is more than a teen problem—it affects all ages and comes in many forms. From hormonal triggers to poor hygiene, understanding the cause is key to finding the right treatment. Whether it’s rosacea, blackheads, or cystic acne, early care prevents scars and discomfort. Don’t ignore the symptoms; consult a specialist for a customized solution. Proper skin care and treatments like creams, peels, or medications can restore confidence. Your skin deserves attention—treat it right to achieve lasting results.
