Types of Acne - Almasi Skincare

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Types of “Acne”

There are many types of acne as well as conditions labeled as acne and these include:

Acne Detergens

It is triggered by excessive washing of the face since it can stimulate the sebaceous (oil) glands to produce more sebum or oil which can then clog the pores.

Body Building Acne

It is triggered by the use or rather abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids. These are usually used for body building purposes.

Chloracne

It is triggered by exposure to halogenated hydrocarbons like chlorinated dioxins and dibenzofuranes. This can be through direct contact at work, inhalation or ingestion of contaminated foods.

Cyclic Acne

It is triggered by the release of hormones after ovulation. It usually results in premenstrual flare-ups of acne or the development of pimples just before the monthly periods.

Cosmetic Acne

It is also known as acne cosmetica or pomade acne. It is triggered by the use of oil-rich skincare products that clog the skin pores.

Diet acne

It is triggered by eating foods like a high glycemic index likes cakes and drinking milk with hormones which is obtained from farmed animals.

Hair care acne

It is triggered by bad hair care habits like styling the hair with fringes which brings the hair oils to the face.

Hormonal Acne

It is triggered by changes in hormone levels in the body which occurs before the monthly menstrual periods, during pregnancy and menopause.

Iatrogenic Acne

Iatrogenic acne, which is also known as acne medicamentosa, is triggered by the use of prescription medications like phenytoin (used to treat seizures), lithium (used to treat mania) and isoniazid (used to treat tuberculosis).

Iatrogenic Acne is treated by asking the prescribing Doctor to change those medications. If that is not possible, it is treated with

Mechanical Acne

It is also known as acne mechanica or sports acne. It is caused by heat, friction, pressure and physical trauma which cause mechanical breakage of the sebaceous (oil) glands. It usually develops as a result of wearing bicycle helmets, baseball caps and exercise head bands.

Neonatal Acne

It is also known as acne neonatorum. It is triggered by the stimulation of the newborn baby’s sebaceous (oil) glands by the mother’s hormones.

Occupational Acne

It is triggered by machine oils, grease and coal tar derivatives in those who are exposed to them in their line of duty.

Skin Care Acne

It is triggered by poor skin care habits like touching your face when thinking, not cleaning your phone regularly and using skincare products with comedogenic ingredients.

Steroid Acne

It is triggered by the use of prescription steroids regardless of whether they are taken by mouth, applied on the skin or given intravenously or inhaled into the lungs. These prescription steroids are used to treat numerous conditions like lupus, eczema, multiple sclerosis and asthma to mention just a few.

Stress Acne

It is triggered by stress.

Teenage Acne

It is triggered by the increase in production of androgens or male sex hormones during puberty.

Bacne

It is also called back acne and it refers to acne which affects the back.

Acne Conglobata

It has been associated with chromosomal abnormalities like the XXY karyotype. It has also been associated with taking steroids and testosterone. It is characterized by a very severe type of acne with large, interconnected nodules and cysts as well as extensive scarring. It can affect the back, chest and arms.

Acne Excoriee

It mainly affects young women and is often associated with psychological problems like obsessive compulsive disorder. It is characterized by self inflicted wounds due to excessive picking and squeezing of blemishes.

Acne Fulminans

It is also known as acne maligna or acute febrile ulcerative acne. It is thought to be triggered by the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes which results in an immunological reaction. It results in large ulcers which may be associated with fever and arthralgia (joint pains).

Acne Aestivalis

It is also known as Mallorca acne. This condition is not a “type of acne vulgaris” but it has been included here because its name includes the word “acne”. It is triggered by exposure to sunlight since it is a type of polymorphous light eruption.

Acne Inversa

It is correctly known as hidradenitis suppurativa. This condition is not a “type of acne vulgaris” but it has been included here because its name includes the word “acne”. It is characterized by painful swellings in the armpits, groin and anal area. These lesions can be worsened by tight clothing, sweat, heat and emotional stress.

Acne Keloidalis Nuchae

This condition is not a “type of acne vulgaris” but it has been included here because its name includes the word “acne” though that is a misnomer. The specific trigger for this chronic folliculitis that develops keloid-like scars on the occipital scalp or the back of the head and neck is not known but inward growth of curved nape hairs are believed to contribute to its development.

Scalp Acne

It is also called acne miliaris necrotica or acne varioliformis. This condition is not a “type of acne vulgaris” but it has been included here because its name includes the word “acne”. It is characterized by inflammation of the scalp with burning and itchy sensations and hair loss. It commonly affects the frontal hairline.

Pyoderma Faciale

It is also known as rosacea fulminans. This condition is not a “type of acne vulgaris” but it has been included here because it is commonly confused with acne vulgaris or with rosacea acne. It only affects women and usually those aged between 20 to 40 years. It starts suddenly and can spread rapidly to involve the entire face within a week. It only involves the face and is characterized by large nodules and pus filled swellings which resemble those caused by severe acne vulgaris.

It differs from acne vulgaris because it does not have comedones (black heads and white heads). If differs from rosacea acne in that there is no flushing and it does not affect the eyes.

Rosacea Acne

This condition is not a “type of acne vulgaris” but it has been included here because its name includes the word “acne”. It is characterized by flushing in the central part of the face and small pimples but it does not have the comedones or black heads of acne vulgaris. It can be triggered by the Demodex folliculorum mites, weather extremes, hot baths, alcohol, hot and spicy foods as well as emotional stress.