Acne can be divided into two categories: inflammatory and non-inflammatory. Non-inflammatory acne includes blackheads and whiteheads. If you have blemishes that are red and swollen, you have inflammatory acne. Inflamed acne is the most stubborn and frustrating kind, as its lifecycle is longer than that of your average blemish.
While it is most common on the face, you can get inflammatory acne nearly anywhere on your body. It can appear on your chest, back of the neck, chest, or shoulders, among others.
What Are The Different Types of Inflammatory Acne?
There are actually many different types of inflamed breakouts. Papules and pustules are the most common. As inflammatory acne progresses, you may get more severe forms of blemishes, such as nodules and cysts. These blemishes originate deeper in the skin, and are more likely to cause skin scarring in the long term.
What Causes Inflammatory Acne?
All inflammatory acne breakouts, whether mild to severe, start off as a tiny pore blockage called a microcomedo. The tiny plug stops up the opening of the pore. As a result, sebum (or oil) keeps pouring in, engorging the pore and making a very hospitable environment for acne-causing bacteria.
What Bacteria Cause Acne?
Propionibacterium acnes, or P. acnes, is the most common acne-causing bacterium. Bacteria such as P. Acnes cause an inflammatory reaction in your body. This inflammation shows up as redness, swelling and discomfort you experience with inflamed acne. If you’ve ever woken up with a painful, red acne breakout, or a puss-filled pimple, most likely P. acnes is to blame.
Are Teens More Prone to Inflammatory Acne?
Nearly anyone can get inflammatory acne. Inflamed acne blemishes are most common in teens, but can appear at any age. Inflammatory acne is common for adults, and even babies. While potentially embarrassing and uncomfortable, inflammatory acne can be treated. The duration of the breakout can be shortened with the right treatment. Young or old, you may not need to hide your face for as long as you think.
Can Antioxidants Treat Inflammatory Acne?
You may have heard that blueberries are good for your skin. Rich in antioxidants, blueberries are often hailed as a superfood and are recommended for men and women dreaming of clear, glowing skin. Eating blueberries, along with other antioxidant-rich foods such as dark chocolate, is a common recommendation for acne sufferers. How does this work? Antioxidants work on acne-prone skin by calming inflammation, increasing circulation and boosting cell metabolism. As a result, antioxidants can help with acne breakouts and, over time, create a more even skin tone.
Protocatechuic Acid (PCA) Is A Powerful Antioxidant For Inflammatory Acne
Dr. Johnson was granted several US patents related to the biological function of protocatechuate; a.k.a protocatechuic acid (PCA). PCA is the primary metabolite from the dyes that make blueberries blue and cherries red. When one eats those fruits the dyes are rapidly and completely metabolized into PCA and absorbed into your blood steam. However, the amount possible by diet is far less than that which would have a significant biological effect. For instance, you would have to eat 18 pounds of blueberries (at once!) to have a therapeutic effect.
However, when isolated in the pure concentrated form, protocatechuate has certain beneficial biological properties as established by the supporting evidence published in Dr. Johnson’s patents.
A-Cosmetic For Acne: Protocatechuic Acid (PCA) Over-The-Counter Treatment For Acne-Prone Skin
Based on its antioxidant properties, PCA, the active ingredient in A-Cosmetic skin clearing serum, has proven very effective at treating inflammatory acne. Our customers have reported inflammatory acne gone in as little as 2 days. A-Cosmetic antioxidant skin serum may be used in conjunction with any and all other methods of promoting beauty.
Speak With Your Doctor
As with all medical conditions, consult with your healthcare professional before starting a new treatment, if your acne inflammation is severe and painful, or doesn’t respond to topical treatment.