All You Need to Know About Types of Pimples

Category of Pimples

Different types of Pimples also known as acne lesions which are a common skin condition that can develop anytime but specially happened during teenage years. They occur when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells which create an environment for bacteria to grow. This bacteria triggers inflammation leading to the formation of different types of pimples.

Comedones

Comedones are one of the most common types of pimples which come at an early stage. They come in two forms: Blackheads and Whiteheads. Blackheads are open comedones where the clog reaches the surface of the skin and oxidizes turning into black. On the other side Whiteheads are closed comedones where the clog remains beneath the surface of the skin causing white appearance or flesh-colored.

Inflammatory Lesions

Inflammatory Lesions are the pimples developed when bacteria breaks down the trapped oil and dead skin cells within comedones, triggering an immune response. They appear typically red, tender and filled with pus. Papules pimples are red bumps but are small that are tender to the touch but lack pus. Pustules are small red pimples with a white or yellow pus-filled center and are also known as whiteheads. Nodules pimples are large, solid and painful bumps that develop deep within the skin. The most severe type of pimple Cysts are large, pus-filled lesions that can cause significant scarring.

Pimples on Back

Pimple or acne which develops on the back is called Bacne. It is formed when pores become blocked with dead skin cells, oil and bacteria. This blockage leads to the formation of a raised red bump known as a pimple. Factors such as hormonal changes, sweating, stress and friction from clothing can contribute to their development.

Red Pimples on Head

Red pimples on your head develop on your scalp just like pimples on your face. The pimples on the head are called scalp acne. Following are the factors that can cause different types of pimples on the head.

Folliculitis is a common culprit for red bumps on the scalp. It’s an inflammation of the hair follicles often triggered by an overgrowth of bacteria or fungus. Friction from tight hats, helmets and scratching your head can irritate the follicles and make them more susceptible to infection.
Seborrheic Dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that primarily affects the scalp. It can also appear on the eyebrows, ears and chest. It causes redness, flaking and itching pimples.
Acne Keloidalis Nuchae that causes bumps on the back of the head found mostly in men with coarse hair. These bumps are typically tender and may leave scars. It’s caused due to irritation from shaving or friction from hairstyles that pull on the hair at the back of the head.
Hair care products like gels, sprays, mousses and some low quality shampoos can leave residue on your scalp. This buildup can clog hair follicles and contribute to the formation of red pimples.

What Type of Food Causes Pimples?

Greasy and Processed foods cause too many pimples if you are not eating them like a balanced diet. The reason behind producing pimples is they can be inflammatory, disturb your hormones or cause blood sugar spikes. These factors may increase oil production in your skin, creating a perfect environment for pimples to form. Examples of greasy and processed foods are fried items like burgers, fries, fried chicken or mutation, hot dogs, sausages and frozen dinners.

Can Sugar Cause Pimples?

Sugary foods can cause different types of pimples because they are quickly absorbed by the body resulting in blood sugar levels rising rapidly. This surge triggers the release of insulin which is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar. Insulin can also indirectly stimulate the production of hormones like androgen which can increase oil production in the skin. This excess oil clogs pores and creates a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria. Examples of sugary foods are candies, sugary cereals, icecreams, donuts and pastries.

Can Cheese Cause Pimples?

Cheese can cause pimples because it is high in saturated fats which can increase inflammation throughout the body including the skin. This inflammation may worsen existing acne. It contains hormones like insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) which can stimulate oil production in the skin potentially leading to jamming pores and pimples.

Can Chocolate Cause Pimples?

Yes! Chocolates play an important role in producing pimples due to a few reasons. Chocolates, especially milk chocolates contain high levels of sugar and fat. This can increase insulin levels in the body when consumed in large quantities which is bad for health. Elevated insulin levels may stimulate oil production in the skin leading to blocking of pores and formation of acne. It includes certain compounds such as methylxanthines and flavonoids which disturb hormone levels and inflammation in the body that cause acne.

In comparison to dark chocolates with milk chocolates, they cause less acne especially to individuals which have sensitive skin. It includes less sugar and milk minimizing the insulin spike that can trigger oil production. It still has some fats which can contribute to inflammation and cause acne. It Includes caffeine or theobromine which might not be suitable for sensitive people and causing them itching or pimples.

Does Egg Cause Pimples?

Egg whites contain protein and it’s essential for the body. Some people might face problems in digesting it fully. This incomplete digestion can trigger inflammation causing acne breakouts, especially around the mouth and chin. Egg yolks contain high levels of biotin, a B vitamin which are important for skin and hair health. But if you take in excessive quantities then it can lead to hyperkeratosis in which skin produces too much keratin, a protein that will lead to acne. Pimples might be caused by sensitive people because digesting eggs is difficult for them as toxins leak from the gut into the bloodstream, triggering inflammation throughout the body.

Can Peanut Butter Cause Pimples?

Sensitive people might face acne problems while eating peanut butter. The reasons are that peanut butter is high in omega-6 fatty acids which will cause imbalance favoring over omega-3s and it will lead to inflammation and acne. It contains high amounts of sugar which imbalances hormones and it leads to too much oil production. This excess oil creates a breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria. Lectins in peanut butter is a protein which causes damage to gut lining. It then contributes to inflammation which may cause acne breakouts.

Does Nut Cause Pimples?

Nuts like walnuts and peanuts contain excessive amounts of Omega-6 fatty acids which can cause imbalance and lead to inflammation and hence cause different types of pimples. Selenium is an essential mineral found in nuts so if we intake an excessive amount of it, it will disturb the balance of antioxidants in the body and promote inflammation resulting in acne. They are also calorie-dense foods and excessiveness might lead to weight gain and insulin resistance, both of which can contribute to hormonal imbalances and increased oil production in the skin, leading to pimples.

Does Junk Food Cause Pimples?

Junk Food like chips and snacks have a lot of carbohydrates and sugar in it. This results in high sugar in blood which causes the release of insulin in excessive quantities. This causes more oil to be produced on the skin and hence acne forms. It includes unhealthy fats like saturated and trans fats. These fats can contribute to low-grade inflammation throughout the body causing existing acne breakouts.

It can also be developed in the body due to the disorder of hormones caused by junk food. Snacks and all junk food contain very few essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals which are important for the skin to keep healthy. A diet which contains less nutrients will dry and damage the skin resulting in the formation of acne.

Does Applying Olive Oil on the Face Cause Pimples?

Olive Oil can cause pimples to those people who have very sensitive skin. It contains very high oleic acid which is a type of fatty acid. As it is applied on the face, it creates a wall that traps bacteria, dirt and dead skin cells within the pores. This can cause the creation of acne. Sometimes it can cause irritation resulting in redness on skin and acne forms. It causes skin to produce too much oil causing pores to be blocked resulting in pimples.

Food to Reduce Pimples

Fruits

The fruits which contain high vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, antioxidants and minerals function the regular repairing process of skin to make it healthy and avoid dehydration. Examples of fruits are grapes, pineapple, avocado, mango, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, kiwi, papaya, apples and oranges.

Vegetables

The vegetables play an important role to end up different types of pimples because they contain essential vitamins, antioxidants that make skin healthy. Examples of vegetables are cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach.

Water

Drinking plenty of water daily causes hydration and helps to maintain healthy skin and all dead skin cells are removed.

Whole Grain Diet

The whole grain is rich in fiber and has a lower glycemic index compared to processed grains. It causes less increase in blood sugar level which causes less acne. Examples of whole grain are oats, brown rice and quinoa.

Home Remedies for Pimples

Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and healing of wounds properties which helps in calming irritated skin and reducing inflammation associated with pimples. Apply the thin layer of fresh aloe vera gel extracted from the aloe vera plant on pimples or acne. Leave it for the whole night so that it can be absorbed in the skin to end acne.

Honey: Honey’s antibacterial properties can come to the rescue. It also boasts soothing qualities to calm inflammation. Apply a small amount of direct honey on the pimple or acne. Leave it for 10-15 minutes to work its magic. Wash it off with warm water.

Ice: Applying ice to pimples can help reduce inflammation and redness by constricting blood vessels. Wrap an ice cube in a clean cloth and hold it against pimples for a few minutes at a time. Repeat this process daily to avoid pimples.

Baking Soda: It has exfoliating qualities which means it vanishes away dead cells from the surface of the skin and also unclog pores. Wash the face with clean water. Form a paste by mixing water with a small amount of baking soda. Apply it to pimples and leave it on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

Green Tea: Green tea is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties and reduces oil production in skin. Mix the water with dry green tea leaves. Use the cotton to massage wet green tea leaves on your skin. Continue the massage in circular motions for 1 minute and then clean it with water.

Does Tea Tree Oil help Pimples

Tea tree oil always warms against pimples and acne due to its two key properties. Antibacterial is the first property that can help kill Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), the bacteria that contributes to acne breakouts. By reducing the bacterial population on the skin, it can help prevent pimples from forming and speed up the healing of existing ones.

Anti-inflammatory is the second property. Acne breakouts often involve inflammation, redness, and swelling. Tea tree oil’s anti-inflammatory properties can help soothe irritation, reduce redness, and calm the overall appearance of pimples. Dilute tea tree oil with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or jojoba oil and then apply it on pimples with the help of cotton swabs.

Is it good to Pop Pimples

Popping different types of pimples can have both positive and negative effects, depending on how it’s done and the individual’s skin.

Positive Result

Immediate relief: Popping a pimple can provide immediate relief from pressure and discomfort especially if the pimple is large or painful.

Faster healing: Removing the pus and debris from a pimple may help it heal faster as it allows the skin to begin the natural healing process.

Improved appearance: Popping a pimple can sometimes improve the appearance of the skin temporarily by reducing redness and swelling.

Negative Result

Scarring: Popping pimples can increase the risk of scarring especially if done improperly or if the pimple is deep. Squeezing or picking at pimples can damage the surrounding skin and lead to long-term scars.

Spread of infection: Popping pimples can spread bacteria and pus to surrounding pores leading to more pimples and potentially worsening the acne.

Inflammation: Aggressive popping or squeezing of pimples can cause further inflammation and irritation to the skin, prolonging the healing process and increasing the risk of infection.

Hyperpigmentation: Popping pimples can sometimes result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation leaving dark spots or discoloration on the skin after the pimple has healed.

However it’s a bad idea to pop pimples because it can lead to any severe infection.

How Long Do Pimples Last?

The lifespan of a pimple depends on its severity.

Small, whiteheads or blackheads: These minor pimples typically resolve within 3-7 days with proper skincare.
Larger pimples: These inflamed pimples can take 1-2 weeks to heal completely, especially if left alone and not popped.
Deep and cystic pimples: These more severe pimples can linger for several weeks, sometimes even months. They often require professional treatment from a dermatologist for proper healing and to minimize scarring.

Wrapping Up

Pimples are a common skin condition with various causes and solutions. While tempting, popping pimples is generally discouraged due to the risk of scarring and infection. Understanding the different types of pimples, what foods may influence breakouts and helpful home remedies can empower you to manage your skin. If you have severe or persistent acne, consulting a dermatologist is recommended for a personalized treatment plan. Remember, maintaining a healthy diet, good hygiene, and a consistent skincare routine are all key factors in achieving clearer and healthier skin.