You will learn all about blemishes, the types, and the necessary information you will need to remove them from your face. There are lots of questions answered in this piece with the most important question being How to get rid of blemishes.
Blemishes are spots and marks that occur on your face and can sometimes be seen as discolorations. All these appear on the skin as flaws. These blemishes are usually emotional and can affect your self-confidence. A lot of them are merely life-threatening and would not affect you apart aesthetically.
However, even if they do not have any health-related effect, you can seek a home remedy or use any medical advice to eliminate any kind of blemish on your face.
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Table of Contents
TYPES OF BLEMISH
This is a term that is used to refer to any kind of skin marks or lesions. They are, of course, several kinds of skin blemishes.
1. Acne
Acne is quite common because it is caused by the oil of the skin known as sebum. Many times, acne can be seen as pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. Acne occurs when dirt blocks hair follicles. Sometimes, when acne leaves, they leave behind a dark spot and they also scar the skin.
Also, your hormones can affect the way acne is formed. This can be seen in the age of puberty when your hormones are trying to give expression. When you have stress, it can also lead to the proliferation of acne. This is because sebum production is affected by your stress level.
2. Papules are another kind of blemish
These are small skin lesions of different categories. The average size of a papule is about 1 centimeter in diameter. Their colors are quite varied, from pink to brown. Sometimes, pimples are usually referred to as papules.
These papules can appear in your face in clusters and also in different shapes. There are different types of papules, and these include chickenpox rashes, dermatitis, and eczema.
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3. Nodules are another form of blemish
Nodules are seen as a collection of tissue. They are quite challenging to touch than papules. They also range in the 1 to a 2-centimeter in diameter just as papules. Nodules are known to occur in different levels of the skin; their color range from the standard flesh color to the more prominent red colors. Warts and skin tags are some classic examples of nodules.
4. Age spots
These are also known as liver spots; they can be formed on any part of your body that is exposed to the sun. The good news is that it does not affect young persons but only people above 50. But they rarely affect more inexperienced persons. Age spots are a subclass of hyperpigmentation.
5. Pustules
These are bumps that are filled with pus. Whiteheads are also seen as a type of pustules. Scabies and rosacea are other types of pustules. They are commonly marked by visible blood vessels.
6. Ingrown hair
Some hair removal techniques can lead to having ingrown hairs. Some hairs would grow into the skin and becomes difficult to remove. They become trapped in the skin because they grow inwards. They also have varying colors; sometimes, they are red, white or yellow. They gradually become painful when you touch them.
7. Birthmarks
These become visible during birth or much later as you grow. They occur in different sizes, shapes, and colors. However, some birthmarks do last throughout life, such as Moles and port-wine stains. But other types would quickly fade away; such as salmon patches and hemangiomas.
8. Melasma
This is common during pregnancy. It is seen as a brownish patch. It is usually caused by severe hormonal changes and exposure to much sun.
9. Skin Cancer
They range in color. Some of the cancers known to affect the skin are squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and basal cell carcinoma. Some types of cancer usually appear as a dark mole with irregular borders. Others will have the color of red bumps. It is only your doctor that can tell if a blemish is skin cancer.
10. Cysts
Cysts include ganglion cysts, sebaceous cysts, and epidermal cysts. They are non-cancerous and will usually contain fluid. Cysts are usually round and appear under the skin.
11. Scars
Your skin will only have scars if the dermis layer is damaged. The dermis of the skin in the area of the skin where there are small blood vessels. It also contains the seat layers and other nerve endings. Any trauma that makes your skin open will often lead to a scar. This includes a popped pimple.
12. Cold sores
Cold sores are usually caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus type 1. They are generally found in the mouth; they will itch and cause a tingling sensation. As soon as these blisters open, they form red or yellow blisters until they heal correctly.
13. Hyperpigmentation
This is seen as the overproduction of melanin. This leads to an uneven skin tone with several dark patches; the primary cause of hyperpigmentation is sun exposure, hormonal changes and acne scarring.
WHAT CAUSES BLEMISHES?
Several things can cause a blemish. These include viruses, natural causes, and infections. You will get to know what the possible cause of your blemish was.
- Virus: Blemishes like cold sores and varicella-zoster cause chickenpox and this can lead to a blemish on your skin.
- Infections: Some kind of infections can occur on your skin, and this can lead to a blemish. Examples of this kind of infection include Malassezia folliculitis, which is the cause of fungal acne. This infection affects hair follicles. It leads to the rapid increase in the growth of yeast and leads to the formation of a pustule type of blemish.
- Genetics: Sometimes, genetics can just be the one playing up your blemish troubles. There is some hereditary condition that can make you have a blemish.
For example; Darier diseases; this is a wart-like blemish that forms on your skin; they are oily and have a strong smell; they are also hard when touched.
Fabry disease; is inherited and is a result of gene mutation; symptoms include the formation of a dark red spot. - Exposure to sun: Too much exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can lead to skin cancer and other forms of skin blemishes.
- Clogged pores: When your sebaceous gland overproduces sebum, it can lead to the formation of blemish. Also, your hormones can lead to this overproduction. Hormonal changes are much apparent in pregnancy and puberty.
Also, increased production of oil can mix with dead skin, bacteria and this can cause pustules, whiteheads, and pimples. Makeups and moisturizers can also clog your skin pores, and this can lead to the formation of pimples.
You should also be careful about the hair styling products you use and how you apply them, so it doesn’t clog your skin pores. When you are getting products for your skin, you should look for products marked as non-comedogenic. These products are made not to clog your skin pores. - Diet: The kind of food you eat will affect your skin health. Allergies from food and contact dermatitis can lead to several skin irritations. Some dairy products can also cause acne and lead to blemishes later on. Examples of these dairy products include skim milk and diets that have high sugar content.
- Medications: There are prescriptions and over-the-counter medications that lead to acne appearing on your face. This usually comes across as a side effect of using such a drug. Drugs such as lithium, androgenic steroids, and anti-seizure several medicines can lead to acne and therefore, blemishes.
THE COLOR RANGE OF BLEMISHES
The different types of blemish appear on the skin with different colors. And then the color that they have will give you an idea of what the cause of the blemish is.
- Red: A large portion of blemishes appear on the skin as red, and they range from; pimples, rosacea, pustules, allergic reactions, cold sores, and ingrown hair. Some skin cancer will also appear red.
- Brown: Some skin cancers, such as malignant melanoma, can appear brown or black. Other types of birthmarks and hyperpigmentation are also brown. Brown or greyish brown on the skin is also the color of melisma.
- Black: Dark blemishes are seen in malignant melanoma. They are also seen as black raised dots.
- White: Some fungal infection appears as white and whitehead blemishes too appear this way.
HOW TO GET RID OF BLEMISHES
When it comes to treating your blemish, you have to understand the possible causes of the blemish. This will help you know how well to know how to apply what you read here. Also, if your blemish did not improve but instead became worse as you applied the treatment, you should do well to stop it and speak to your doctor.
1. Medications for acne blemishes
There are lots of products that can help you reduce pimples. These products can also help you remove blackheads and whiteheads blemishes. You may have to check some of these products randomly to know the best that will work for you.
These products you can try include scrubs for the face, topical gels, and astringents. Also, if your acne does not respond positively to all these products, then you may need an anti-biotic for your acne. Speak to your doctor.
2. Salicylic products
Any products that contain this acid can help you unclog your skin pores. This is because acids will emulsify fats, and when you apply this to your skin, it melts away the sebum that clogs your skin and gives room for proper aeration of your skin pores.
3. Hydrocortisone creams
This cream will help you reduce irritations and allergic reactions on your skin. They can also help you to eliminate hair that grows inward. If you are treating hair ingrowths, then you have to stop all the form of hair removal techniques that you are using.
4. Sun Protection
There are lots of sun-protecting clothes available. You can get any of them to help reduce your exposure to sun ultra-violet rays. This will help keep your skin from any form of damage.
5. Dermatologic procedures for hyperpigmentation
Some techniques are used for removing spots, and these include; microdermabrasion, laser therapy, cryotherapy, and chemical peels.
6. Creams used for hyper-pigmentation
Some prescription creams that contain hydroquinone will help you lighten your age spots. It will also remove blemishes of varying types such as acne, scarring, and melisma. These creams containing these products usually function by reducing the production of melanin.
HOME REMEDIES FOR BLEMISHES
- Healthy eating habits: You should practice the habit of always cleaning your face, hair, and your body in general. This will help you to eliminate bacteria from your skin. But be cautious enough not to overdo it. You can also irritate your skin if you wash too frequently.
- Some natural solutions: There are some natural solutions, and this includes the use of apple cider vinegar. Aloe vera solution and creams can also be of great help.
- Try out diet: You should document the food you consume daily for a particular time; this will help you know which of them causes the break out of blemishes and acne on your face. Eliminate one particular food at a specific interval of time; it will help you know the food that caused your blemish problems.
Eat food that contains a high concentration of vitamin C and E. will help your skin stay tight and healthy.
WHEN YOU SHOULD SEE YOUR DOCTOR
Blemishes can help you know when a severe skin problem is coming. Hence it can be a sign that you have to visit your doctor right away. Blemishes can cause emotional upset for you, primarily if they affect too grossly your looks; it may lead to a reduced confidence level.
Hence you must see your doctor when your blemishes change color or size, when it begins to bleed and when it has some irregular borders. All these could be a sign of skin cancer.
If your blemish is caused by a viral infection such as chickenpox, your doctor can help you recover faster by giving you recommended drugs that will help you feel better.
Papules, pustules can be very painful and cause irritations on your skin. Hence your doctor may be the best person to give you relief for all these discomforts. Your doctor can also help you clean up the area of ingrown hairs, and this can help free the hair and remove the blemish.