Since each type of acne requires different forms of treatment your doctor will need to classify your acne condition as mild, moderate or severe. However, most of the time all you need is simply an over the counter medication and a good cleansing routine.

In this case we will review the three classes of acne vulgaris. Nevertheless, if there is any reason that you suspect you may be suffering from severe acne, check with your dermatologist. Early detection and treatment can help reduce any type of problem that may have derived from this type of acne.

Do you have Mild or Moderate Acne Vulgaris?

These types of acne are most often characterized by the appearance of whiteheads, blackheads, papules, and pustules. Whiteheads result when a pore is completely blocked oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells. Blackheads result when a pore is only partially blocked (the dark color is caused the skin's melanin reacting with the oxygen in the air).

Papules are inflamed, tender bumps while pustules are also inflamed and tender, but contain pus. Neither papules nor pustules should be squeezed.

Learning to Treat Mild to Moderate Forms of Acne

Your cleansing is a very important part of your acne treatment and should be done at least twice a day. You should also exfoliate once a week immediately after having cleansed your face.

It is important to pick the right cleansing products, too. For example, stay away from products with alcohol or fragrances. Products containing these ingredients may irritate your skin and cause allergic reactions.

If you have oily skin, pick a soapy cleanser that contains salicylic acid or retinol. These ingredients will help regulate the production of sebum and will help increase the rate of cell turnover. Which in turn, will help decrease the amount of clogged pores and subsequent acne lesions.

An Acne Cream is a MUST

Spot treating with an acne treatment cream is probably the quickest way of benefiting from your cleansing routine. In cases such as this, an acne cream containing salicylic acid or retinol is the best choice for acne prone skin.

Are you suffering from Severe Acne Vulgaris?

This type of acne is also characterized by nodules and cysts. Nodules are larger and more painful than cysts because they develop underneath the skin's surface and can last for months.

Cysts are soft lesions similar to nodules that can also lead to lead to scarring. This type of acne is often called cystic acne.

Treatment Options for Severe Acne Vulgaris

Most of the time cystic acne treatment requires steroid injections to dissolve nodules and cysts. If you are about to undergo this type of treatment you should also be looking into an effective scar treatment because severe acne tends to lead to scar formation. However, if you are looking for a more aggressive form of scar removal, your doctor may suggest surgery. If so keep in mind that a scar cream can also help the healing process.