Types of Blemishes

Milia

Milia are tiny white bumps that often appear in clusters around the nose, eyelids and cheeks. They are most common in newborns, but can make an appearance in adult life too. Often a result of skin trauma (burns, blisters etc.), or skin conditions such as rosacea and dandruff. People often mistake them for blemishes, but they are actually a build-up of the protein, keratin. They can be managed by a skincare regime incorporating AHAs, BHAs and retinoids.

Papules

Papules are inflamed lesions that appear as small, pink bumps on the skin. They can often be tender to the touch and are usually the first sign that a breakout is on the way.

When a pore becomes blocked with dead skin cells and excess sebum, blemish-causing bacteria (P. acnes) begin to thrive. This infection triggers an inflammatory response in the body, which is why papules are raised and slightly pink.

Pustules

Pustules develop from papules. As levels of blemish-causing bacteria rise, white blood cells are sent to the site of the blemish to fight off infection. The aftermath of the 'bacteria vs white blood cell' battle is pus, a whitish substance made up of dead white blood cells, P. acnes and sebum. As such, pustules are topped with pockets of yellow or white pus and will usually be painful and red at the base. They are what most people refer to when they talk about a pimple.

Blackheads & Whiteheads

Also known as comedones, these types of blemish refer to a hair follicle that has become clogged with excess sebum and dead skin cells. If the blockage reaches the skin’s surface, the clogged up sebum becomes oxidised by the air and turns black or grey in colour. Dermatologists refer to it as an open comedone, but we know it as a blackhead.

If the blockage remains beneath the the skin, it is called a closed comedone or whitehead. Because oxygen cannot reach the built-up plug of sebum, oxidation cannot take place. This prevents the sebum from turning grey, allowing it to retain its natural white colour.

Both types of comedone are a non-inflammatory, so they should never be painful or swollen. But they can sometimes lead to inflammatory blemishes.

Nodules & Cysts

Nodules occur when a hair follicle wall ruptures within the dermis. This happens when a pore is clogged at its base. Because the infection is so deep, the rupture takes place under the skin rather than at the surface. This causes significant damage to the follicle, which leads to excessive inflammation and tenderness. Just like pustules, nodules can be filled with pus, but you will never see a whitehead as the infection is so deep.

When the swelling and inflammation of a nodule becomes so intense that it damages the healthy skin surrounding it and destroys the hair follicle, dermatologists refer to it as a cyst. This type of blemish is the most painful of them all and is extremely prone to scarring.

Both nodules and cysts can take several weeks or months to fully heal.

How do you treat different types of blemishes?

Blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules are often treated with specific skincare, which does not require a prescription. Salicylic acid is the gold-standard treatment for this type of blemish, as it can enter the hair follicle and break down clogged pores, preventing the formation of blemishes. If you’ve got mild to moderate blemishes, try Medik8 Blemish Control Pads^™. Use them once or twice a day, to keep skin clear and healthy.

For severely inflamed blemishes, like nodules and cysts, prescription medication may be required. Trained professionals can offer peels and facials that penetrate the skin at a much deeper level to target under-the-skin breakouts.

At Medik8, we offer Clarity Professional Skin Peel, a clarifying chemical peel that uses a blend of powerful exfoliating acids to effectively clear the skin of breakouts while preventing future blemishes. See the results on our before and afters page or find your nearest skincare centre here.

Living with acne is tough. That’s why we have a full topical solution dedicated to this concern at Medik8. Start your journey to clearer skin today.