The 7 types of pimples on the face (and how to treat them)

The skin is the largest organ of the human being, as it has an area of ​​two square meters in size and weighs about 1.5 kilos. It is the fundamental primary biological barrier, since it protects us from the entry of pathogens, mechanical forces and various inclement weather.

Thus, the skin has a clear functional role in all living beings that present it. Even so, the human being no longer usually fixes on the physiological values ​​and properties of the organs that compose it, but we have made the skin, hair, distribution of body fat and many other biological parameters an aesthetic value.

The skin is the clear reflection of our lifestyle and, therefore, a busy routine and poor diet can lead to breakouts on our epidermal surface. If you want to know the 7 types of pimples on the face and how to tackle them, read on.

The world of grains

Pimples occur when tiny holes in the skin become clogged, that is, the pores. Each pore is an opening to a follicle, which contains a hair and an oil gland. The oily substances secreted by these glands help the skin to eliminate dead epidermal cells and create a protective layer against dehydration and possible pathogens.

Events such as bacterial infections, anxiety, a poor diet and many other factors can cause excessive oil production by the sebaceous glands, which causes a clogging of the pores. This is how plugs are produced which, due to their content of bacteria, fat and impurities, give rise to pimples or generic pimples.

Acne, an inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit, occurs in 80% of adolescents between 13 and 18 years and accounts for more than 25% of dermatologist visits. With these data we want to show that, indeed, concern about pimples on the face is widespread and justified in the population.

The different types of pimples on the face and their treatment

Once we have described how a grain is formed, without further delay we will show you the existing typology. Go for it.

1. Pimples, comedones or pimples

These three terms are used to define the grain of all life: the pimple. It is the primary efflorescence in acne episodes and, as we have already said, it is produced by the obstruction of the hair follicle, in this case by hyperkeratosis (an excessive production of keratin).

Comedones tend to appear on the face (especially in the T zone, which includes the forehead, nose and chin), but they also appear in many cases on the back. Pimples arise from a small bacterial infection inside the plug, a fact that responds to the presence of pus. These can be treated with oils such as tea tree and other natural antiseptics, being able to resort to topical antibiotics when the pain becomes evident or the condition does not improve. You should never pop this type of pimple, because, in addition to damaging the skin, it encourages bacteria to enter even deeper layers of it.

Acne is a pathology characterized by the excessive appearance of pimples. As we have said, it is very common in certain age groups and is due to various causes:

• Increased sebaceous secretion.
• Ductal hyperkeratosis with subsequent obstruction of the sebaceous follicle.
• Colonization by P. acnes bacteria.
• Secondary inflammation.

Thus, factors such as certain hormonal releases that promote sebaceous secretion, a poor diet, stress, anxiety and infectious processes can promote the appearance of facial acne in the patient.

2. Milia

Milia or milium are a type of pimples, considered small benign cysts in the superficial dermis due to the accumulation of keratin in a skin gland, which usually do not exceed 4 millimeters in diameter.

Miliums differ from normal pimples in that the latter are reddened and vary in size depending on the treatment. On the other hand, miliums do not vary in appearance: they are always round and yellowish.

Genetic predisposition, acne, sunburn or wound healing, in addition to smoking and inadequate facial hygiene, are considered as causes of these epithelial upwellings.

The best way to tackle this type of pimple is through prevention, that is, having an effective facial cleansing routine. The only way to make them disappear is with the help of a dermatologist, since special devices are needed to drain the excess keratin that characterizes miliums.

3. Cysts

Facial cysts are types of pimples that appear on the face due to the presence of accumulated fat inside the skin. Unlike pimples, have a more internal aspect and are perceived as epidermal bulges. They can be approached through treatment with topical antibiotics.

4. Lipomas

A more specific type of fatty body that can arise on the face or any other part of the body are lipomas, a series of subcutaneous nodules that are soft and mobile to the touch that correspond to adipocytes (fat cells) of abnormal size. They are almost never malignant, but some people can mistake them for tumors and they can be aesthetically uncomfortable.

To stop this facial bulge, the only possible remedy is a surgical intervention by a professional, as it is necessary to extract the excess of localized fatty tissue.

5. Black spots

These pimples, very common in the nose and surroundings, are also due to the obstruction of the pores by sebaceous material. Due to the oxidation of substances by contact with the environment and the accumulation of dirt, the fatty material turns black, thus making the structure live up to its name.

The use of specific masks is recommended for the extraction of blackheads in localized areas. Even so, as prevention, exfoliating creams, face washing with warm water and proper facial hygiene will be the best allies to avoid these annoying unsightly structures.

6. Boils

A boil is a painful, pus-filled lump located under the skin, which occurs when one or more hair follicles become infected and inflamed. They are generally painful, lumpy, and when broken they cause a characteristic discharge.

In general, these infections are caused by intracutaneous infiltration of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, either by injury or other methods of entry. Boils can be treated at home by applying warm compresses, in order to relieve pain and promote natural pus drainage. Unfortunately, some more severe cases may require a surgical incision, drainage, and antibiotic treatment.

7. Melanomas

We enter a much more dangerous terrain, then melanomas are the most serious type of skin cancer. In this case, the carcinogenic process occurs in melanocytes, cells responsible for the production of melanin. Although the underlying mechanisms that predispose to this pathology are still not fully understood, excessive exposure to sunlight is clearly linked to it.

Facial melanomas can be mistaken for spontaneously arising “pimples” or moles, but if these are asymmetrical, variable in color (usually black), irregular edges and continuous growth, it is time to sound the alarm bells. Here there is no home treatment that is worth it: it is time to visit the emergency doctor.

Resume

As we have seen in these lines, there are different types of facial pimples, according to their etiology and physiology. In general, most of them are caused by the clogging of the pores and a subsequent accumulation of fat, which can cause infectious processes, the appearance of blackheads or purulent suppuration.

As in most cases, prevention is the key. Carrying out a correct face wash several times a day with warm water and a neutral pH gel, applying moisturizers regularly and not exposing the skin to the sun and other types of inclement weather will always be the best recommendations so that undesirable pimples do not appear in face.