Skin lesions can be uncomfortable confidence-killers. These skin growths look noticeably different from the rest of your skin and are often caused by issues related to hormones, your skin’s oil production, dryness, irritation, and chronic skin conditions.
Some of the most common types of skin lesions are acne, cold sores, and eczema. Each of these types of lesions can be uncomfortable, irritating, and tough to get rid of. Fortunately, though, there are several effective ways to treat these common skin lesions.
We’re here to give you all the info you need about caring for your skin when you are dealing with these common forms of skin lesions. All of these conditions can affect people regardless of age, gender, and other factors, and they’re nothing to be ashamed of!
If you’ve been struggling to find a solution for any of these types of lesions, we’re here to help.
Keep reading to learn more!
Acne: Causes, Types, And Treatments
Acne is an extremely common form of skin lesion that affects many men and women within a wide range of ages. Pimples typically start to appear during puberty due to hormonal changes. However, adult-onset acne is surprisingly common, and many people continue struggling with this form of lesion long after adolescence is over.
What Causes Acne?
There are multiple factors that can cause breakouts. Below are some of the most common causes of acne:
- Hormones. Hormonal changes can affect your skin in numerous ways, including making your skin more prone to breakouts. This is why acne often shows up during puberty, when major hormonal changes can cause a teen’s pores to get clogged, leading to uncomfortable, stubborn, and often severe acne. Hormonal changes during a woman’s menstrual cycle can also cause breakouts.
- Dry skin. Contrary to popular belief, drying out your skin does not eliminate pimples. In fact, dryness can be disastrous for acne-prone skin. If your skin gets dried out, your skin cells may start producing higher amounts of sebum (oil) to try and keep itself lubricated. This defense mechanism can end up backfiring, clogging your pores and leading to the development of pimples.
- Diet (Sometimes). The debate on whether acne can be caused or worsened by certain foods is still a bit up in the air. However, there is some evidence that indicates that certain people with acne-prone skin can be negatively impacted by specific foods, specifically dairy. Dairy is packed with IGF-1, a hormone that can increase sebum production and lead to breakouts in some people.
- Poor skin hygiene. When you do not take good care of your skin, you may suffer from breakouts as a result. Good skincare habits like cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, and more can help to prevent dirt, grime, makeup, dead skin cells, and excess oil from clogging your pores and leading to breakouts.
What Are The Different Types of Acne?
Pimples can show up on your skin in multiple forms. Here are some of the most common types of acne:
- Whiteheads. These pimples show up when one of your pores gets clogged. A clogged pore can develop into a whitehead due to a buildup of excess oil and dead skin, or from bacteria or ingrown hairs. A pimple becomes a whitehead when the top of a clogged pore constricts.
- Blackheads. Similar to whiteheads, blackheads develop from clogged pores. However, the key difference between whiteheads and blackheads is that blackheads do not cause pores to constrict and close. For this reason, blackheads are often called “open comedones,” clogged pores that have not become sealed like whiteheads do.
- Cystic Acne. These pimples are some of the most stubborn and severe. Often accompanied by smaller, equally severe types of pimples like pustules and papules, cysts develop due to deeply clogged pores. Cystic acne often leaves behind deep, severe scarring that can be difficult to treat.
What Are the Most Effective Treatments For Acne?
Acne can be frustratingly stubborn, but there are several ingredients that can be highly effective for treating it.
More severe forms of acne, such as cysts, typically need more heavy-duty, prescription-level treatments to be remedied.
However, if you are mainly dealing with run-of-the-mill blackheads and whiteheads, these ingredients and products can help to clear your skin:
- Retinol and Retinoids. These two high-strength forms of vitamin A can help to support a clear complexion, and can even help to minimize the appearance of post-acne scarring. As an antioxidant, vitamin A can help to nourish, brighten, and even out your complexion when it has been affected by breakouts.
- Salicylic Acid. Commonly used as a spot treatment for individual zits, salicylic acid can help with treating mild breakouts and lone pimples when they pop up. Salicylic is also a main ingredient in many acne-treating cleansers, body washes, and exfoliators.
- Copper Peptides. These antioxidants can help to minimize the appearance of breakouts and can also work to brighten your skin and even your complexion. Copper peptides can easily be included in your beauty routine in the form of a serum.
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Moisturizer. One of the simplest and most effective ways to keep breakouts at bay is by frequently moisturizing your skin. Using a high-quality moisturizer can help to prevent pimples by keeping your skin from getting dried out. Dry skin can easily lead to clogged pores, so moisturizing frequently is ideal to stop the cycle of acne before it starts.
- Healthy Habits. Sometimes, the most effective way to take good care of your skin is to improve your overall lifestyle. Drinking enough water, reducing stress levels, eating whole, healthy foods, and getting enough sleep each night can help keep your whole body functioning as well as possible, including your skin. Cultivating healthy habits can play a key role in banishing acne once and for all!
Cold Sores
Cold sores are a particularly uncomfortable type of skin lesion that can develop as a result of a viral infection. You might also be more susceptible to developing a cold sore due to hormonal changes or high stress levels. Cold sores can also be a side effect of some sexually transmitted diseases.
A cold sore is an irritating, sometimes painful blister-like lesion that develops around your lips. Cold sores typically last a few weeks, and can be transmitted to others through contact (i.e. kissing), which adds insult to injury.
When you develop a cold sore, an over-the-counter treatment can usually help to reduce discomfort and irritation as the lesion goes away over time. However, your doctor might prescribe you an antiviral medication for stubborn, frequent cold sores.
In addition to using an over-the-counter topical treatment to manage your cold sore symptoms, a gentle moisturizer like petroleum jelly can also help. Cold sores can get cracked, chapped, and irritated, adding to the discomfort that comes from having one. To get yourself some relief, using vaseline, or a gently hydrating facial oil like argan oil can relieve some of the dryness.
Eczema
Another common form of skin lesion is eczema. Eczema often appears on the hands and arms, and is characterized by dry, itchy, red, raw skin. Eczema can also sometimes cause fluid-filled blisters in particularly severe cases. Dealing with eczema can be hard, but there are some effective ways to manage the symptoms of this type of lesion.
Eczema often is exacerbated by certain factors, such as dyes, fragrances, and other potentially irritating ingredients. These irritating ingredients can be found in some detergents, in many skincare products, and even in soaps. If you have eczema, buying these products can feel like walking through a minefield. It can feel especially risky to try any new product on your skin, such as a lotion or cream.
For anyone with eczema, goPure’s skin care products are heaven-sent. Free of any potentially irritating ingredients like artificial dyes, fragrances, and parabens, all goPure products are perfect for even the most sensitive skin.
One of the best ways to reduce eczema symptoms is by frequently using a gentle, soothing lotion on your skin to help moisturize it. goPure’s refreshing body cream is perfect for skin affected by eczema, providing soothing, refreshing, and gentle hydration to dry, itchy skin.
Certain times of the year are often worse for sufferers of eczema, especially the drier, colder months. Even for mild cases of eczema, the cold, dry months can be especially tough. The best way to make it through the winter when you are suffering from eczema is frequently applying hydrating lotions to affected parts of your skin.
Keeping your skin moisturized does not cure eczema, but it does make the condition much more manageable. In some cases, if your eczema is more severe, it is best to visit a dermatologist and get a prescription for something stronger to use to treat this type of lesion. However, in many cases, nourishing and hydrating your skin with a gentle moisturizing lotion is enough to help soothe eczema symptoms.
Sources:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bjd.12149
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190962299800565
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1600-0536.2007.01179.x
