Body acne is the general term used for clogged or plugged pores of the skin regardless of which part of the body is affected. In layman's terms, it is usually referred to as blackheads, whiteheads and pimples or bumps on the skin. In more technical or clinical terms, however, it can be classified into six different specific types that range from mild to severe cases. These six types include comedones, papules, pustules, macules, nodules and cysts.
Types of Body Acne
1. Comedones This type is considered the 'mildest'. It occurs when the skin's sebacious follicle has been plugged or clogged with dead cells combined with other substances such as oil and bacteria. This type of acne is commonly known as a blackhead or a whitehead.
2. Papules This type of body acne is similar to comedones since they look like small whiteheads up close. They usually appear in clusters, making the affected skin area feel sand-paper rough.
3. Pustules This type is considered more serious than comedones and papules since pustules usually contain pus, which combines substances such as dead skin cells, bacteria and white blood cells.
4. Macules Macules are those red and inflamed marks or spots on the skin that have been left by a recently healed pimple, whitehead or blackhead. This type of acne usually takes weeks or even months to disappear.
5. Nodules This type is considered severe. Though it is similar to the less serious papule, a nodule usually has a deeper root and causes inflammation of the affected area.
6. Cysts This type of body acne is considered the most serious of all types. Besides having a deeper root and causing inflammation, cysts can also result in skin scarring.
Body Acne Treatment
There is actually no absolute best acne solution that is applicable to everyone. The best acne solution for one person may not be effective for another; thus, one can only seek the body acne treatment that works specifically for his or her situation.
However, it does not mean that you should simply go on a trial-and-error test of all available medications for body acne. You should go for one that has a good reputation for curing acne and for this I recommend a 4% Niacinamide Topical cream...such as Acnessential.
Niacinamide is derived from Vitamin B3 and 4% topical Niacinamide has been proven, in studies by the State University of New York no less, to be as effective at treating acne as the leading topical prescription medication...Clindamycin.