What are the causes and types of pimples on the face? Prevention and improvement methods that you can do yourself

July 07, 2023

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SUMMARY

What causes pimples on the face?
・Types of pimples on the face
・How to prevent and improve facial acne
・Review your lifestyle and take measures against pimples on your face

Even just one pimple on your face can make you feel depressed. Acne is called "acne" in medical terms, and it is a symptom that many people worry not only in adolescence but also in their 20s and beyond.

There are various causes of acne, so it is necessary to review your daily habits and adopt the correct care method. In this article, we will discuss what causes acne and how to prevent it. Take care of acne properly and get smooth skin.

What causes pimples on the face?

One of the causes of acne is the overgrowth of P. acnes bacteria. Acne bacteria are a kind of bacteria that normally live on the skin, and have the property of proliferating by feeding on sebum. Acne bacteria do not like to come into contact with oxygen, so they tend to proliferate deep in the pores where there is plenty of sebum and little oxygen. When acne bacteria proliferate, inflammation occurs, swelling and redness appear, and acne occurs.

If the inflammation progresses further, it will suppurate, and in some cases, acne scars may remain. If you feel that home care is difficult to deal with, it is important to visit a dermatologist and receive appropriate treatment before it worsens.

types of pimples on face

Acne is divided into 4 types according to the degree of progression. Here are the types of pimples that can appear on your face.

●White acne

A white pimple is what you see when you start getting pimples. Whiteheads are also called comedos or comedones. It tends to occur in places where a lot of sebum is secreted, such as the chin, nostrils, and under the nose. It is characterized by its white color and swelling, and is said to rarely cause inflammation or pain.

The main cause of whiteheads is clogged pores. It can be caused by old keratin, sebum, and dirt clogging the pores. If you take proper care at the time of white acne, it rarely becomes severe and leaves scars. The cardinal rule of acne care is to treat white acne when it is not inflamed.

●Black acne

When white acne progresses, it becomes "black acne". Old keratin and sebum accumulated in the pores become black when exposed to air and oxidized, making the skin stand out. It tends to occur on the forehead and the nose, which is commonly called the “T zone”.

Blackheads are less likely to cause inflammation or pain. Even if you are concerned about black spots, do not push them out with your fingers or rub them roughly. It can damage your skin and make your acne worse.

● Red acne

When black acne progresses and becomes inflamed, it is called “red acne”. With pain and itching, makeup may not be satisfactory.

In addition to the T-zone, which has a large amount of sebum, red acne often occurs in areas that are susceptible to external stimulation. Specifically, it is said that it tends to occur on the face line, around the mouth, and on the cheeks. Red acne can be caused by a decline in liver function, hormonal imbalance, dryness, etc.

●Yellow acne

The state of suppuration and pus is "yellow acne". As red acne worsens, inflammation progresses and pus accumulates. Yellow acne is sometimes said to be the final stage of acne, and is often accompanied by itching and pain. Sebum and old keratin leak out to the surroundings, and the inflammation reaches the deep layers of the skin, so it takes time to heal.

If you are concerned about pus from a pimple, do not pop it yourself. It can irritate your skin and leave acne scars. It is important to see a dermatologist as soon as possible to treat acne.

How to prevent and improve facial acne

It is important to review your lifestyle habits so that you can maintain beautiful skin, and if you have acne, it is important to take proper care so that it heals quickly. Here are some tips on how to prevent and treat acne.

●Review your eating habits

One of the causes of acne is excessive sebum production. Try not to eat too many foods that are high in fat and sugar. It is important to avoid fried foods and sweets as much as possible and eat a well-balanced diet.

Also, taking vitamins is recommended. Vitamins help keep your body in good shape. Foods rich in vitamins include:

Do proper skin care

If you don't take proper care of your skin, it can put a strain on your skin and actually make your acne worse. From here, we will introduce three points: face wash, moisturizing, and UV protection.

① Face wash

Clogged pores caused by makeup can cause pimples. It is important to remove makeup as soon as you get home rather than leaving it on for a long time.

Also, when removing makeup, take an appropriate amount of cleanser, mix it well with the makeup, and then wash it off with lukewarm water. The point is to gently remove it with your palm so as not to rub the skin too much. Rinse thoroughly so that no cleansing residue remains on the hairline or face line.

Also, cleansers and facial cleansers that are too strong should be avoided. There is a risk that the ingredients necessary for the skin will be washed away and the barrier function will be lowered. To care for your skin, we recommend facial cleansers and cleansers that contain moisturizing ingredients such as ceramide.

In addition, it is basic to wash your face twice a day, in the morning and at night. Avoid washing your face more than once a day. Excessive cleansing can dry out your skin and cause it to produce more oil. Be careful as it can cause other skin problems such as spots as well as acne.

②Moisturizing

Even if your skin is prone to acne, moisturizing after washing your face is important. Dry skin promotes sebum secretion, making it easier for acne to form. After washing your face, it is important to use lotion or milky lotion to moisturize your skin.

Also, when choosing a moisturizer, it's a good idea to base it on the label of "non-comedogenic tested". Non-comedogenic tested products contain less oil and are made to prevent keratin from clogging pores. If you are prone to acne, you may want to try milky lotions or creams that are less oily.

③ UV protection

Exposure to UV rays thickens the stratum corneum of the skin, making it easier to clog pores. Stronger UV rays lower the barrier function of the skin, making it more susceptible to various irritations.

In order to prevent acne and not make it worse, let's thoroughly take measures against UV rays. If you are concerned about sunscreen irritation, we recommend products with labels such as "UV absorber-free," "non-chemical," and "for sensitive skin." You can take measures against UV rays while reducing the burden on your skin.

Relieves stress

When stress builds up, the sympathetic nervous system becomes dominant and secretes adrenaline and testosterone, which promote sebum secretion. This will increase the amount of sebum in your skin, making it easier to get pimples.

Abdominal breathing, massage, and light running/walking are effective for relieving stress. Do things that make you feel relaxed and help reduce stress.

Review your lifestyle habits and take measures against pimples on your face

In this article, we will focus on how to prevent and treat pimples on your face. Once you have acne, it can take a long time to heal, so it is important to thoroughly prevent it. Let's review lifestyle habits such as normal meals and skin care, and try not to make acne.

Also, if acne symptoms are progressing, it is important to visit a dermatologist instead of self-care. If you take the wrong care by self-judgment, it may remain as acne scars. See your doctor as soon as possible to get proper treatment.

Chairman of the Board of Medical Corporation Ryokokai W CLINIC General Director
Mayumi Adachi

Graduated from Wakayama Medical University in 2001 and entered the Department of Plastic Surgery at Osaka Medical University in the same year.
Graduated from Osaka Medical University Graduate School of Medicine and obtained Doctor of Medicine.
2003: Worked in plastic surgery at Daiichi Towakai Medical Corporation Towakai Hospital
He was involved in the establishment of the clinic's cosmetic dermatology and cosmetic surgery departments, and was the managing physician.
2010 Appointed director of a certain beauty clinic
2014: Launched "W CLINIC", a beauty clinic with an unprecedented new concept, in Shinsaibashi, Osaka.
2017 Appointed Chairman of the Medical Corporation Ryokokai
2019 Opening of Medical Corporation Ryokokai W CLINIC Umeda Clinic
2021 Medical Corporation Ryokokai W Femina clinic opens
2022 Medical Corporation Ryokokai W Clinic Homme opens

With extensive experience in aesthetic medicine, we go beyond the boundaries of aesthetic medicine and develop holistic medicine such as Oriental medicine and Ayurveda.
With the theme of "Beauty comes from a healthy body," this clinic is attracting attention in Osaka, offering the latest in beauty with a variety of approaches that you wouldn't expect from a beauty clinic.
In September 2019, we opened “W holistic retreat”, a members-only space consisting of three zones: dining x studio x farm, on the 10th floor of the same building. After that, it reopened in April 2023 as “W holistic cafe” ~Intestinal Cafe~. Based on the concept that "Beauty begins with a healthy body," we offer food and drinks that are free of animal products, white sugar, white rice, wheat, and food additives. In addition to medical treatment, we provide comprehensive health care by recommending things that are good for your body, and support women who stay strong, supple, and radiant despite their busy daily lives.

Utilizing his experience as a plastic surgeon, cosmetic dermatologist, and cosmetic surgeon, he established "W CLINIC" in Osaka with the theme of "Beauty begins with a healthy body."
We provide the latest beauty through a variety of approaches that incorporate holistic medicine, advocating not only medical treatment but also the body's original healthy and beautiful state.