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The Pimple Puzzle Solved: Understanding the Different Types of Pimples and How to Treat Them

The Pimple Puzzle Solved: Understanding the Different Types of Pimples and How to Treat Them

Have you ever been frustrated by the mystery of your pimples? You may find yourself wondering what type of pimple you have and how to best treat it. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Pimples are a common affliction, and they come in all shapes and sizes. What's more, they can be hard to identify and treat. In this article, we'll explore together the different types of pimples, what causes them, and how to treat them.
First, let's start with the basics. Pimples are caused by a clogging of the skin's pores, which can be due to a build-up of oil, dirt, and other debris. To start, let’s look at the different types of pimples, each with their own unique characteristics and causes. Here’s a full guide on the most common types of pimples:
  1. Whiteheads
  2. Blackheads
  3. Papules
  4. Pustules
  5. Cysts
  6. Nodules
  7. Acne conglobate

Whiteheads

These are small, round pimples that have a white or yellowish head. They occur when a pore becomes clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, and the top of the pimple remains closed.

White pimple

White pimples are, as the name suggests, white or yellowish bumps that appear on the skin. They're like blackheads in that they're caused by dirt clogging pores and trapping oil inside them. But unlike blackheads, whiteheads are inflamed and can be painful if they burst and they're also more likely to leave a scar behind when they heal.

Whiteheads often occur as part of a larger problem: acne vulgaris (the technical term for all forms of acne). If you notice that you have a lot of whiteheads along with other types of pimples (like blackheads or papules), then chances are good that this is what's going on with your skin!

The best way to treat whiteheads is by using hydrocolloid acne patches. These patches work by absorbing the excess oil and fluids from the whitehead, promoting healing and preventing further bacterial growth. The hydrocolloid material used in these patches also creates a physical barrier over the whitehead, protecting it from further picking or irritation. They are easy to use, simply apply the patch to clean, dry skin and leave it on for several hours or overnight. These patches can also be used in conjunction with other acne treatments for optimal results.

 

Invisible hydrocolloid blemish patch Your go-to solution kit for clearing late-stage whiteheads overnight, 72pcs
Invisible hydrocolloid blemish patch
Your go-to solution kit for clearing late-stage whiteheads overnight, 72pcs

Milia pimple

Milia are small, white, raised bumps that typically appear on the skin around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead. They are caused by the build-up of keratin, a protein found in the skin, in the upper layer of the skin. They are not harmful, but some people may want to remove them because of their appearance.

Milia can be treated by a dermatologist through a process called "curettage" where the dermatologist scrapes off the keratin build-up with a small, sharp instrument. Or, a chemical peel can be done to remove the top layer of skin and the milia. It is also possible to use retinoids which can help prevent future milia from forming. It's not recommended to try to pop or extract milia at home, as it can lead to further irritation or infection. It's best to consult a professional.

 hydrocolloid pimple patches

Blackheads

These are similar to whiteheads, but the top of the pimple is open, allowing the trapped oil and bacteria to oxidize and turn black.

Black pimple

Blackheads are open comedones. They can be caused by excess oil, dead skin cells and bacteria that clog the pores of your skin. Blackheads are usually found on the nose, chin and forehead.

Blackheads can be removed using a comedone extractor or by applying pressure with a warm cloth to loosen them up before extracting them manually.

Pimple with no head

If you have a pimple with no head, it's called a closed comedone. These are blackheads that have been covered by skin and can be removed with a comedone extractor.

Infected blackhead

When a blackhead becomes infected, it's called a "follicular pustule." This happens when bacteria gets into your pores and starts to grow. You'll know you have an infected blackhead because it will be red, swollen and painful--and likely to leave you with scarring if it isn't treated quickly.

To treat this kind of pimple, wash your face gently with warm water and soap every morning and night before bedtime. Use acne-fighting products like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or sulfur. These ingredients help prevent future breakouts by drying out excess oils that clog pores so they can't become inflamed in the first place! But don't overdo it, if these ingredients irritate your skin too much then stop using them immediately!

Inflamed blackhead

Inflamed blackheads are a type of acne that develops when the pores become clogged with excess oil and dead skin cells. The body's immune system responds by sending white blood cells to fight off bacteria in the pore, which causes inflammation and redness.

Inflamed blackheads can be treated with antibiotics like tetracycline or doxycycline, but they usually go away on their own after a few weeks without treatment.

Pimple with black dot

The black color comes from melanin inside your pore, which can be removed by squeezing or using a pore strip. If you're interested in removing blackheads on your own, use an exfoliator once or twice per week to remove dead skin cells before they clog your pores. This will prevent blackheads from forming in the first place!

pimples on chin

Papules

These are small, red, and tender pimples that form when the hair follicles become inflamed. They do not have a visible head. They're caused by the same bacteria that cause blackheads and whiteheads. Papules are not infected and they don't hurt--in fact they are not even considered acne by most dermatologists (though some may disagree).

Ingrown pimple

An ingrown pimple is a pimple that has become trapped in the skin. This can happen because of shaving, waxing or plucking your hair. The trapped pore becomes red and swollen, causing pain and inflammation to the area around it.

Ingrown hairs form when you shave or wax your skin without first exfoliating (removing dead skin cells), which allows for smoother hair growth by removing blockages within your follicles.

Pustules

These are similar to papules, but they have a visible white or yellow head that is filled with pus.

Pus-filled bump

A pus-filled bump is a pimple that has been infected with bacteria. It's common for acne sufferers to get these types of blemishes, especially if they have oily skin or live in warm climates.

Pus-filled bumps are caused by acne bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) that infects the hair follicle and causes inflammation within it. This can lead to swelling, redness and irritation around your pore opening as well as pain when you touch it or squeeze it too hard, which makes sense because there's an infection under there!

Because pus-filled bumps are basically just inflamed pores with bacterial infection inside them, most treatments will focus on treating both conditions simultaneously rather than just one or another--and this means using a combination product like benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid instead of solely relying on things like antibiotics alone which won't necessarily penetrate deep enough into your skin layers without some additional help from topical agents like BP/SA combos (in addition).

Pus-filled pimples

Pus-filled pimples are the most painful, and they can also be the most damaging to your skin. Pus is a mixture of dead cells, pus-causing bacteria (usually staph), and other fluids that have built up inside the pimple.

This type of acne is usually caused by bacteria called staphylococcus aureus (staph). Staph can spread easily from person to person through contact with unwashed hands or surfaces such as towels or clothing that has been used by someone else who has this kind of infection on their skin.

The best treatment for pus-filled pimples is antibiotics--but there are other things you can do too!

  • You should always wash your face twice a day with gentle soap and warm water
  • Keep it free from dirt and makeup by removing these every night before bedtime
  • Use an over-the-counter topical cream containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid once daily in addition to washing twice daily
  • Avoid touching your face too much so as not spread germs around (especially after touching public surfaces like door handles)
  • Avoid sharing towels/makeup brushes etcetera with anyone else who may have active breakouts right now because doing so could lead directly back into contracting them yourself again later down line.

 

pimple patches

Green pus pimple

Green pus pimples are a type of pimple that is caused by bacteria. It's not a serious condition, but you should consult your doctor if you have green pus pimples as it may be an indication of another health problem.

Green pus pimple can be treated at home with antibiotics or over-the-counter creams, but if they don't work or keep coming back then you should see your GP as soon as possible because it might mean there's something else going on under the skin.

White pus pimple

White pimples are white because they are filled with pus. They're often caused by acne vulgaris, which is the most common form of acne and can be found on the face, back and chest.

White pimples happen when dead skin cells, bacteria and sebum get trapped inside a pore that's too small to let them out. The trapped material causes an infection in your skin called a comedone (or 'blackhead'). This leads to inflammation - redness, swelling and pain - around your zit as it tries to fight off this foreign substance (your own oil).

Cysts

These are large, painful, and deep pimples that can cause scarring. They form when the hair follicles become clogged and infected, leading to a build-up of pus.

Swollen pimple

A swollen pimple is a pimple that has become red and swollen. The swelling is caused by the accumulation of fluid under the skin. This can be painful, especially if you've already popped the pimple or it's irritated by rubbing against clothing or other objects.

The swelling is usually caused by an infection in your hair follicles (also called pores), which are tiny openings on your skin that lead to oil glands deep underneath your epidermis (or outer layer). When bacteria enter these pores, they cause inflammation and pus build-up within them--which leads to a swollen pimple!

Swollen pimples generally aren't dangerous but they can last up to 10 days if left untreated; so don't forget about treating them with an antibacterial cream like benzoyl peroxide before going out in public again!

Hard pimple

A hard pimple is a type of acne that feels like it's underneath the skin. It may be red or white, and it can also be filled with pus, blood or dead skin cells. When you touch a hard pimple, it will feel firm to the touch and may even hurt when you poke at it. Hard pimples are usually painful because they're inflamed due to an infection in your skin caused by bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes (P-ac). P-ac naturally lives on human skin but tends to grow quickly when there's too much oil production from sebaceous glands under your pores' surface - this causes inflammation around each pore opening as well as inside them if there's enough build-up for bacteria growth inside as well!

Hard pimples aren't caused by dirt getting trapped under our pores like what happens with blackheads; instead, these types of blemishes form deep within our pores where only certain treatments can reach without causing more damage than good (like picking at them).

pimples on face

Nodules

These are large, hard pimples that form deep under the skin. They can be painful and can cause scarring.

Microcrystal acne patches are a type of spot treatment specifically designed to target underground pimples. These patches are made with a blend of microcrystals and exfoliating acids like salicylic acid, which work together to dissolve the build-up of oil and dead skin cells that can clog pores. When applied to an underground pimple, the microcrystals physically remove the dead skin cells, while the exfoliating acids dissolve the excess oil and bacteria that can cause inflammation.

 

Microcrystal blemish patch Your zit-free emergency kit for reducing early-stage painful & deep pimples, 18pcs
Microcrystal blemish patch
Your zit-free emergency kit for reducing early-stage painful & deep pimples, 18pcs

Underground pimple

An underground pimple is a whitehead that has been trapped under the skin. It can be caused by dirt and oil clogging up pores, which leads to infection.

Acne conglobate

 It's a severe form of acne that can cause deep, painful cysts and nodules, as well as blackheads and whiteheads.

Infected pimple

Infected pimples are red, swollen and tender to the touch. They may also be warm to the touch or feel hot to you. The pus in an infected pimple is a sign that bacteria have entered your skin and caused an infection.

If you have an infected pimple:

  • Wash your hands before touching your face or picking at your skin. This will help reduce the risk of spreading bacteria around your face if you do get it on yourself (which can happen when picking).
  • Keep away from harsh products like alcohol-based toners and scrubs--they'll only irritate your skin further! If possible, use a gentle cleanser instead of soap because soaps tend to dry out our skin more often than not; this makes us more prone to breakouts later on down the line if we're not careful about what kind of products we use on our faces daily basis.

Painful pimple

Painful pimples are caused by inflammation, which is the body's natural response to injury or infection. When you have a painful pimple, there's a good chance that bacteria have infected your skin and caused an inflammatory reaction.

Pimple with multiple heads

A multiple head pimple is a large, red bump that develops more than one head. The heads are small white or yellowish bumps that look like they're sticking out of the larger red bump.

Huge pimple

Huge pimples are a type of acne that's large and very noticeable. They can be painful, especially when they're popping or draining, and they often last for weeks at a time. Huge pimples are often caused by stress, so if you've recently been under a lot of pressure at work or school, your skin may react with an outbreak of these painful blemishes.

Itchy pimples

Itchy pimples are often caused by a reaction to an ingredient in your skincare products. If you're allergic to something in your skincare products, it can cause an allergic reaction and even lead to further irritation. If this happens, try switching out the product for something without that ingredient (and be sure to check the label!).

If you find yourself having this issue often or regularly, consider talking with a dermatologist about what might be causing it--they may recommend avoiding certain ingredients altogether and using different types of products on your skin accordingly.

 

There are a lot of different types of acne and they each require different treatments. It's important to treat the type you have properly. You should know what type of acne you have, as well as what treatment options are available for each. There are many different kinds of acne, and some can be more difficult to get rid of than others! It's worth noting that different types of pimples may require different treatments, so it's always a good idea to consult a dermatologist if you have any concerns or questions about your skin.

I hope this article has helped you understand the different types of pimples and how to treat them. Remember to keep your skin clean and avoid touching your face to help prevent pimples. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with a dermatologist.

Hugs! 

Adrienne | Co-founder of OMMA Cosmetics

Photo sources: OMMA, Canva

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