One of the most important things if you want to get rid of your acne is to have an understanding of what acne is and what is causing it.
Despite what many people think; not all acne is the same, and not all acne lesions are the same either. Understanding the differences is crucial to proper acne treatment.
You often hear terms like zits, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, cysts…but what do they all mean?
Let’s take a look at one of the most common types of acne lesion: pustules.
What Are Acne Pustules?
Acne pustules, along with papules, are what you probably picturing when you think of words like zit and pimple.
Using somewhat clinical language, pustules can be described as raised, inflammatory skin lesions of less than 5mm which contain visible pus.
To put it in language that we can all understand: Pustules are raised bumps with redness around them (inflammation) and a visible white or yellow “head” on top (this is the pus).
What Causes Acne Pustules?
As dead skin cells are sloughed off, they sometimes become trapped in a hair follicle. This causes sebum, your skin’s natural oil, to become trapped in the follicle along with a nasty bacteria known as P. acnes. This buildup in the hair follicle can cause the walls of the follicle to burst, which is the cause of the redness and inflammation. The white pus is a result of your body’s attempt at fighting the P. acnes bacteria by sending in white blood cells.
How To Prevent Pustules From Forming
Since there are a number of factors contributing to the formation of acne pustules, that means there are a number of ways to prevent them from forming.
Prevent Dead Skin Cells From Clogging Pores
If the pores and hair follicles on your skin remain unclogged, the sebum can escape naturally and pustules won’t have a chance to form.
Salicylic acid is a common over-the-counter product which speeds up the regeneration of new layers of skin, and allows the dead cells to slough off more effectively.
Prescription tretinoins, such as Retin-A, work similarly and are typically more effective.
Exfoliating the skin can help, but thorough exfoliation is often too irritating to the skin to be done often often enough to fully prevent pustules from forming.
Kill The P. Acnes Bacteria
The other way to prevent pustules is to kill the P. acnes bacteria which is responsible for filling the clogged pore.
The most widely available product that kills P. acnes is benzoyl peroxide. A 2.5% concentration of benzoyl peroxide, which can be found in the cosmetics section of any drug store, is highly effective at killing the acne causing bacteria when applied topically.
There are also a number of topical and oral antibiotics which kill the P. acnes bacteria, although they are typically only available with a prescription.
How To Get Rid Of Pustules That Have Already Formed
In one word: carefully!
You should always be careful when attempting to pop or drain any acne lesion, as if done improperly it can lead to scarring.
If possible, apply heat (such as a wash cloth with warm water) to the area for a few minutes, to draw the pus to the surface.
Then, disinfect the area with some rubbing alcohol and make sure your hands are washed to prevent further contamination from bacteria which may be on your fingers.
Use a needle to poke a hole in the head of the pustule (the white part) and then gently push in on the sides until all of the pus has been squeezed out. If nothing comes out, don’t keep pressing harder as you will only cause further irritation and the blemish will remain on your face for even longer.
Of course, it’s always best to prevent pustules from forming in the first place, so you should get yourself on an skin care regimen that will keep your skin clear. Consider seeing a dermatologist for professional treatment options.
