A lot of people get confused over the words acne and pimples, as these words are interchangeably used. However, there is a difference between pimples and acne. It is best to understand these words to manage the skin concerns better way and to go for the right kind of treatment. Let's find out the differences.
What is acne?
Acne is a skin condition that occurs when hair follicles get clogged with dead skin cells, dirt, oil, other impurities, and bacteria. Acne covers many concerns including blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts.
The skin pores are linked to the glands which produce sebum. And the canal through which they are connected is called the follicle. When the hair follicle, sebum, and dead skin combine, it creates a blockage on the follicle. Bacteria on this blockage trigger, redness and inflammation and results in the formation of acne.
There are many reasons for getting acne including hormonal changes, stress, lifestyle habits, pollution, and genetics. Acne occurs generally on the face, neck, chest, back and shoulders.
Let us look at the different types of acne:
Blackheads:
Blackheads are dark in colour, look like a small bump on the skin, and are caused as a result of gathered dirt, dead skin, and oil in the skin pores which clogs the skin pores.
Whiteheads:
Whiteheads are white or yellowish small bumps on the skin. They generally occur as a result of gathered oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells.
Papules:
Papules are small raised bumps on the skin with red, pink, purple, or brown.
Pustules:
Pustules are small, pus-filled sores that can be infectious and non-infectious. It can occur anywhere on the body like face, chest, neck, back, shoulders, or armpit.
Nodules:
Nodules are red, hard lumps on the skin and it is a type of acne that is painful. It can last for longer periods and may lead to permanent scarring if left untreated.
Cysts:
cysts are generally filled with fluids and pus, can vary in size, and are generally painful.
What is Pimple?
A pimple is a specific type of breakout that forms when a clogged pore becomes inflamed or infected. It is just one of the many symptoms of acne. Pimples can appear as small red bumps, some of which may be filled with pus. While pimples are common in people with acne, you can have a pimple without having chronic acne.
What Causes Pimples?
Pimples are caused when:
- Oil and dead skin cells clog a pore.
- The clogged pore becomes inflamed, swollen, or infected.
- In some cases, bacteria multiply in the clogged pore, leading to pus formation.
Unlike acne, pimples are usually temporary and more localised. They often occur due to a specific trigger, such as hormonal fluctuations, a poor skincare routine, or excessive touching of the face.
Difference between acne and pimples
|
Acne |
Pimples |
|
Chronic skin condition as a result of clogged pores & breakouts |
Specific types of breakouts as a result of clogged pores |
|
Types include blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts. |
Pus-filled, red bump |
|
Long term occurring |
Temporary & may last for a few days |
|
It can be mild to severe |
Typically mild & localised |
|
Require ongoing skincare treatment, medication & lifestyle changes |
Can be treated with simple skincare steps |
How to treat acne & pimples?
It is very important to maintain a daily skincare routine to get acne-free skin. Lot many treatments are also available that one can do from the comfort of their home. Let's look at them one by one.
Cleansing the face using Acne Face Wash:
Use cleansers and face washes that contain salicylic acid and glycolic acid which help to gently exfoliate the skin, control oil production, and minimize pore appearance. It helps fight acne-causing bacteria and helps reduce redness and inflammation.
Spot treatment solutions:
Various spot treatments are also available in the market that help you treat each pimple individually like Acne Patches & Acne Gel. Acne patches are translucent patches that cover the pimples and heal them preventing bacterial growth. They are best for absorbing fluid from the ance. The good thing about it is, you can wear them under make-up during the day as well as while you are at rest.
There are various acne gels available in the market that can help heal acne, prevent future breakouts, and reduce redness overnight. They are gentle exfoliators and that is normal if you find your skin is exfoliating after starting the skincare routine for acne solutions.
Acne wipes:
If you are a working professional or have less time for a skincare routine, Acne wipes are the perfect solution to prevent and heal pimples on the go. These wipes are mostly no water cleanser, so you can clean your face without requiring water or napkins anytime. It cleanses excess oil, dirt, and other impurities from the skin which helps heal and prevent future breakouts.
Lifestyle changes:
It is best to wash your face twice to thrice a day to prevent the occurrence of new acne. You can also use cleansers like Micellar water, which deep cleanses the skin, controls sebum production, and helps treat acne breakouts. There are various reasons for getting acne including increased stress levels, work pressure, or environmental pollution. Regular exercise and meditation help reduce stress levels which can prevent the occurrence of pimples.
So acne is a broader condition and pimples are localized conditions. If you are suffering from severe acne that is not cured with over-the-counter products, you must see a dermatologist for the proper acne control treatment.
