1^st May 2025

What Acne Do I Have?

If you’re wondering, “what acne do I have?” You’re not alone. Identifying your specific acne type is the first step toward effective treatment. At Fiji Skin Clinic, we specialise in advanced laser treatments tailored to your unique skin concerns. This guide will help you understand different types and how our skin analysis & consultations can help you get closer to clear skin… for good.

What Is Acne?

Acne (acne vulgaris) is a common skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, leading to pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and other lesions. While acne most commonly affects teenagers, it can occur at any age and manifests in several distinct forms. Understanding the specific type you’re experiencing is important for selecting the right treatments and achieving clear, healthy skin.

Common Types and How to Identify Them

1. Comedonal

What it looks like: Small, flesh-coloured bumps or slightly raised spots that aren’t inflamed or painful.

Comedonal acne includes:

• Blackheads (open comedones): Small, dark spots that appear when the pore is clogged but remains open at the surface. The dark colour isn’t dirt, it’s oxidised melanin exposed to air.
• Whiteheads (closed comedones): Small, white or flesh-coloured bumps that develop when pores are completely blocked.

Where it usually appears: Forehead, chin, and nose (the T-zone).

Comedonal acne typically results from excess oil production, slow skin cell turnover, pore-clogging skincare products, or environmental factors. This type is often the first stage of acne development and can progress to more inflammatory forms if not properly addressed. Many people with comedonal acne benefit from gentle exfoliation and non-comedogenic products that prevent further pore blockage.

2. Inflammatory

What it looks like: Red, swollen, often painful blemishes.

Inflammatory acne includes:

• Papules: Small, tender red bumps without a visible centre
• Pustules: Red, tender bumps with a white or yellow centre (what most people think of as a typical pimple)

Where it usually appears: Can occur anywhere on the face, chest, back, or shoulders.

Inflammatory acne develops when bacteria multiply within clogged pores, triggering an immune response that results in redness, swelling, and discomfort. This type is often exacerbated by touching or picking at the skin, which can introduce more bacteria and worsen inflammation. Stress, hormonal changes, and certain dietary factors can also contribute to inflammatory flare-ups, making a holistic approach to treatment essential.

3. Hormonal

What it looks like: Typically deeper, painful cysts or nodules that appear cyclically.

Common causes:

• Hormonal fluctuations (menstrual cycles, pregnancy, menopause)
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Stress hormones
• Hormonal medications

Where it usually appears: Primarily along the jawline, chin, and lower cheeks, forming what dermatologists call the U-zone.

Hormonal acne is particularly common in women, though men can experience it too. If your breakouts predictably worsen before or during your period, hormonal acne is likely a factor. This type can be especially frustrating because it often resists common topical products and requires a more thorough approach. At Fiji Skin Clinic, we assess hormonal patterns as part of our consultation process to address the root causes of this persistent acne type.

4. Cystic

What it looks like: Large, painful, deep-seated lumps beneath the skin’s surface that don’t come to a head.

Where it usually appears: Face, chest, back, and shoulders.

Cystic acne represents one of the most severe forms of acne and should always be treated by professionals. These deep, painful lesions form when infections occur deeper within the skin, creating tender, fluid-filled cysts that can last for weeks or even months. Cystic acne typically runs in families, suggesting a genetic component to its development. Because of its depth and severity, this has the highest risk of causing permanent scarring, making prompt and proper treatment crucial. Home remedies are rarely effective for cystic acne, and attempting to squeeze them can worsen inflammation and spread infection.

 

5. Fungal (Pityrosporum Folliculitis)

What it looks like: Uniform, itchy, small bumps that appear in clusters rather than individually.

Common causes:

• Overgrowth of yeast (Malassezia) that normally lives on skin
• Hot, humid environments
• Tight clothing during exercise
• Immunosuppression
• Antibiotic use

Where it usually appears: Typically on the forehead, upper back, chest, and shoulders.

Fungal acne is actually not true acne at all, but rather a fungal infection of the hair follicles. Unlike bacterial acne, fungal acne typically itches and doesn’t respond to conventional treatments. The key to identifying fungal acne is to notice its distinctive pattern, uniform bumps that appear in clusters, and its tendency to itch. This condition thrives in warm, moist environments, making it more common in tropical climates like Fiji or during hot summer months. Traditional acne treatments can actually worsen fungal acne, making proper diagnosis essential before beginning any treatment regimen.

6. Nodular

What it looks like: Firm, painful lumps beneath the skin that feel hard to the touch.

Where it usually appears: Face, back, and chest.

Nodular acne consists of solid, painful lumps beneath the skin that may not show a visible head. These deep-seated nodules form when C. acnes bacteria trigger an immune response deep within the skin, creating inflammation that can linger for weeks or months. Nodular acne requires professional treatment, as over-the-counter products rarely penetrate deeply enough to address the root of the problem. Left untreated, nodular acne can lead to significant scarring and skin texture changes. At Fiji Skin Clinic, we offer aesthetic laser treatments designed to resolve nodular acne while minimising scarring risk.

 

7. Adult

What it looks like: Can be any type mentioned above but occurs after age 25.

Where it usually appears: Lower face, jawline, and neck.

Adult acne affects millions of people in their 30s, 40s, and beyond, often causing more psychological distress than when an adolescent due to its unexpected nature. This condition frequently manifests as hormonal or inflammatory acne along the jawline and chin, though it can take many forms. This may result from hormonal fluctuations, chronic stress, skincare products, dietary factors, or underlying medical conditions. Many adults will mistakenly use harsh products designed for teenage skin, which can worsen their condition by compromising the skin barrier. Adult acne typically needs a gentler, more tailored approach to be effective.

How to Determine Your Acne Type at Home

While professional diagnosis is ideal, you can start identifying your acne type by carefully observing certain patterns. The location of your breakouts offers important clues: the T-zone typically means comedonal issues, while jawline breakouts typically suggest hormonal factors. The appearance of your lesions matters too; small non-inflamed bumps differ significantly from deep, painful cysts in terms of both cause and treatment approach.

Timing can also reveal important information about your skin. Breakouts that get worse with menstruation usually have a hormonal component, while sudden flare-ups after sweating or in hot weather might be caused by fungal acne. Consider how your skin feels overall as well, excessive oiliness often contributes to comedonal acne, while sensitivity might indicate underlying inflammation that needs addressing.

Remember that multiple acne types can coexist, making professional assessment valuable for creating an effective treatment plan. Self-diagnosis is merely a starting point in your skin health journey, not a replacement for a professional assessment.

Treating Your Skin at Fiji Skin Clinic

Looking for acne treatments in Birmingham? At Fiji Skin Clinic, we understand that no two cases are identical. We start with a skin analysis using our Observ520x scanner to examine your skin beneath the surface, revealing concerns not visible to the naked eye. This thorough assessment helps us identify specific acne types, measure sebum production, evaluate skin hydration, and detect underlying inflammation patterns.

Based on this detailed analysis, we’ll come up with a custom treatment plan tailored specifically to your skin concerns and lifestyle factors. Our practitioners stay continuously updated on the latest treatment approaches through ongoing education and research. We believe in addressing both the symptoms and root causes, combining laser treatments with appropriate internal supplements when necessary. This may include a mix of deeply exfoliating Hydrafacials, targeted antibacterial Dermalux Tri-Wave LED blue light therapy, allergy/intolerance testing, internal supplementation, and medical-grade skincare.

Book Your Consultation Today

Understanding is just the beginning of your journey to clear skin. At Fiji Skin Clinic, we transform that knowledge into effective treatments designed specifically for your unique skin needs and concerns. Our experienced practitioners will identify your exact acne type, address its underlying causes, create a customised plan, and carefully monitor your progress, making adjustments after skin reviews to get the best results.

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