What exactly is a pimple?
Pustules, often referred to as"pimples" or"pus pimples", are a form of acne that affects the pores. Alongside blackheads and oily skin, they are one of the most common symptoms of common acne. They usually develop in moderate acne, but can also occur in milder cases. The reddish bumps on the skin are often covered by a white pustule or lie completely under the skin in the form of subterranean pimples.
It does not matter whether it is a pimple or a blackhead: We strongly advise you not to squeeze pimples (or blackheads). Open pimples can come into contact with other germs, which will only make matters worse. Underground pimples cause sebum (skin oil) to accumulate and spread to surrounding areas of skin, which can lead to existing inflammation. In very rare cases, meningitis can develop.
What types of pimples are there?
Let's avoid any confusion by systematically examining the different types of spots. You've probably already noticed that these blemishes can look very different. Some may be filled with pus and have a yellowish color, while others may look blackish. They can be raised or sit like a rough lump in the skin.
The first thing you should check is whether your blemishes are inflammatory acne or not. Inflammatory acne, also known as painful acne, is characterized by painful pimples that are often red. Non-inflammatory acne includes this type of blemish (comedones). When blackheads form, the opening of our sebaceous glands may be blocked. This can be caused by increased sebum production or excessive keratinization. A plug forms on the surface of the skin as a result of blockage of the sebaceous glands by dead skin cells and sebum. Blackheads are black (blackheads) or white/light colored (whiteheads). What is the difference between a whitehead and a blackhead?
- Blackheads: The sebaceous plug, which is a connection between the hair follicle and the skin surface, can be oxidized when itcomes into contact withatmospheric oxygen. The melanin pigment in these cells darkens as a result of this reaction, creating a blackhead.
- Whitehead: In reality, the difference here is that there is no contact with atmospheric oxygen and the top layer of skin covers the plug like a thin membrane. The contents of the plug are light in color.
The other type of blemishes are pimples that appear inflamed. This is known as inflammatory acne. The skin symptoms can become increasingly distressing. While you may be able to forgive your skin for a blackhead, inflammatory acne can cause severe discomfort, red bumps, pus-filled pimples and nodules deep within the epidermis.
These are boils, papules, nodules, cysts and other skin blemishes that may be difficult to define in technical jargon. A pustule is similar to a pimple in that it is a tiny red inflamed area that oozes pus when squeezed. They resemble a white pustule and hurt when touched.
A red and swollen lump can be seen on the skin as a pimple. However, you can feel them penetrate deep into the skin when you squeeze them. Many people refer to them as"underground pimples" because of this ability. Since this type of pustule develops in a deeper layer than a pustule, for example, an overgrowth of propionibacteria (bacteria on the skin) may play an important role.
How do pimples develop?
When pimples form, it is often due to hormones. An excess of male sex hormones (androgens) in the body upsets the balance between male and female sex hormones. This then leads to the production of sebum (skin oil) being stimulated, which leads to the formation of spots. If the skin becomes more keratinized, this leads to a build-up of sebum. From here, blackheads form and if they come into contact with bacteria, pimples develop due to inflammation.
Other causes of blemished skin on the face
Hormonal change
Hormonal changes can be caused by a variety of factors, e.g. a new contraceptive, pregnancy, stress or ageing. It can be a long-term or short-term reaction, such as menstruation or stopping the pill. The belief that hormone-induced acne only occurs during puberty is therefore erroneous.
Medication
Risks and side effects can also affect the skin. A number of medications, such as anabolic steroids, psychotropic drugs or neuroleptics, can aggravate or even cause existing acne.
Disposition and genes
Have you ever wondered why some people have acne? Let's take a look at what we have inherited from our parents. Is it true that dark hair, blue eyes and blemished skin are genetic traits that are passed down through generations? If one or both parents had acne, there is a genetic predisposition to acne.
Nutrition
"You are what you eat" - our food can also have an effect on our skin. The skin can react differently to meals, just like allergies. Alcohol, sugar and white flour products are two common culprits that cause inflammatory reactions in people. Dairy products, eggs and pork are considered pro-inflammatory. A healthy diet containing as many unprocessed foods as possible is recommended.
Incorrect skin care
Since everyone has a different skin type, each person needs special care for their skin. To find out what kind of routine to follow, it's best to consult a dermatologist or beautician who can get an accurate picture of your condition. However, there is one golden rule that separates a good skincare routine from a bad one: Don't touch your face! Because if we touch our face too often, we run the risk of inviting bacteria and germs, which then lead to inflammation and blemishes.
Environmental influences
The air quality in crowded cities is much worse than in rural areas, and this affects our skin. Exhaust fumes, smog and particulate matter are unhealthy for the skin! Clean air, on the other hand, such as you find in forests or in the mountains, is excellent for the skin.
Lifestyle
Is it a coincidence that spots and blemishes appear just after a weekend of partying? It's no surprise: alcohol dries out the skin and increases sebum secretion at the same time. A negative mixture that can lead to pimples. Smoking also damages the skin. Pollutants disrupt inflammatory processes and constrict the blood vessels so that your skin can no longer breathe. Stress is another factor that worsens the appearance of blemished skin: whether at home or at work, stress can promote a bad complexion.
What to do about pimples?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for perfect skin, but you can do your best to address your skin's needs. If you're not sure exactly what's wrong with your skin, it's always a good idea to ask an expert. The wrong type of skincare can actually make pimples, blackheads and acne worse. Consider the possible causes of blemished skin listed above and think about which ones might apply and whether you can do anything about them. Skin is affected by both internal and external factors, but not all of them are within our control. If we want better skin, we need patience. Changes don't happen overnight, and often the appearance of our skin is only temporary due to things like stress or hormonal fluctuations. We should always remember that our skin is a reflection of ourselves. Instead of beating ourselves up for not having perfect skin, we should be kind to ourselves and believe that no matter what our complexion looks like, we are worth it.
Home remedy for pimples
Don't worry if a pimple pops up. In such situations, you don't need a miracle cure from the store. One of several home remedies can also help against pimples.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is used to treat pimples due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Thanks to these properties, the inflamed pimple dries quickly. This not only gets rid of the unsightly redness, but also makes the inflamed pimple smaller and less painful. Please note that if you have unusually sensitive or dry skin, you should wash your skin with lukewarm water after about 15 minutes to remove the tea tree oil.
Apple cider vinegar facial toner
Many of you may not know this little-known secret: ordinary apple cider vinegar, like tea tree oil, contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory substances that can cleanse your pores and prevent future impurities. The apple cider vinegar solution balances the pH of your skin. The smell of apple cider vinegar may be unpleasant at first, but it quickly dissipates after use.
Honey-cinnamon mask
Honey can not only replace one or two facial care products, but it also helps especially if you have sensitive skin. The sweet spread prevents the spread of bacteria and accelerates the healing process of spots. If you use honey as an intensive mask with cinnamon, you will notice significant results.
Lemon
A single pimple blooming on your face? In this case, lemon can help. Its antibacterial effect helps to stop the growth of the pimple quickly. On the other hand, using this home remedy also ensures that the pimple dries out more quickly and therefore disappears faster. An important note: lemon juice concentrate contains preservatives - so always use fresh lemon juice for this SOS trick!
Healing clay
A healing clay mask is also an effective home treatment for spots and blackheads. It contains elements and minerals that have a skin-healing effect. Healing clay as a mask has a cooling effect, unclogs pores and removes dandruff and excess oil from the skin. Great: the healing clay mask can be applied to any part of the body - from the face to the décolleté to the back - making it extremely versatile.
Aloe Vera
The gel contained in the leaves of aloe vera can help soothe pimples, calm irritation and speed up the healing process. Did you know that it can also help soothe acne scars?
Camomile
For many of us, chamomile steam baths bring back memories of our childhood when our parents gave them to us as a home remedy for colds. But did you know that they also have the pleasant side effect of opening our pores and draining away make-up residue and dirt? A steam bath is therefore also a well-known home remedy for pimples. Camomile contributes to the effectiveness of a steam bath against pimples. Its antiseptic properties help the pimples to clear up more quickly.
Conclusion
Skin care is a very personal subject. Only you can decide whether the recommendations given are of benefit to you. If your skin is extremely sensitive and causes irritation, you should consult a dermatologist. This way you can be sure that you are receiving the treatment that best suits your skin type.
