From blackheads to nodules there are SIX different kinds of spots – so how many have you battled?

SPOTS and acne are the enemy of skin and most of us will have woken up with a bad breakout.

But refrain from squeezing every one, as you could be doing more damage.

There are six types of spots which people commonly get.

And while you may be familiar with some – such as blackheads – there are lesser known ones including pustules.

Knowing what type of spot you’ve got can help you banish it quicker, and get back to clear skin.

Blackheads

One of the most well-known skin problems, most of us have experience these.

The blackhead itself is made up of skin cells, bacteria and sebum, the oily secretion from our skin, says.

The colour is caused by an open comedo – the blocked hair follicle or pore – causing the oil inside to oxidize, giving it its dark colour.

The best way to treat these is chemical exfoliation and giving your skin a thorough cleanse.

Some face masks, particularly clay, can help but make sure the ones you’re using are non-comedogenic – formulated not to block pores.

Whiteheads

Another common type of zit, these are easily identifiable as little white bumps on the top of your skin.

They’re caused by a build-up of dead skin cells and sebum.

Technically, this is a closed comedo.

They affect people with oilier skin more, and can also be tackled by deep cleansing and chemical exfoliation.

Pustule

These are similar to whiteheads – you can see the pus inside the spot – but are technically different.

A whitehead is a clogged hair follicle, while a pustule is inflamed and that’s why it full of pus.

These are usually the easiest to pop, and shouldn’t usually leave a scar behind.

If you can’t resist the desire to squeeze it, first put a warm cloth over it draw any impurities to the surface, and cover it up afterwards so it doesn’t become infected.

Papules

This is the name given to any bump on the skin, and is often seen in groups and caused by eczema, dermatitis or allergic reactions.

If we’re speaking strictly in spot terms, it’s that red, inflamed lump on your face.

It can be more painful than your average spot, and you tackle them by drying them out with lotions or specific acne treatment.

Nodules

This is getting into the painful territory, and is one of the most severe forms of acne.

They are hard bumps formed deep within the skin, and are painful to touch.

They can be either red or skin coloured – and aren’t filled with pus – but often they take weeks to clear up.

If you have nodular acne, you may need antibiotics to clear it up and often an appointment with dermatologist is the best first step.

Cysts

Cysts are often formed by hormones and form deep within the skin.

They are caused when pores become blocked and this leads to an infection – which is why they’re both painful and take a long time to clear up.

To combat them, chemically exfoliate and keep the area clean.

You may also need to tackle the underlying infection so a trip to your dermatologist may be needed.

If it you have cystic acne or they keep occurring, there are some treatments you can use which your doctor can advise you on.

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