Severe acne on black skin: causes and treatments

Do you suffer from severe acne? Find out how to regain healthy skin and reduce the stigma of acne on black skin.

Do you suffer from severe acne on black skin ? Do you feel like you are fighting a losing battle? Many people become desperate after trying different treatments or seeing different doctors . But rest assured, it is not hopeless! It is possible to regain healthy skin and your self-esteem thanks to solutions for acne-prone skin . Reduce the psychophysical stigma of severe acne, reduce blackheads, regulate sebum: let's take stock together on the subject.

What is severe acne?

Acne is a chronic skin disease and an inevitable passage for most teenagers when their hormones kick in. It can begin very early around the age of 8, or later around the twenties (we then speak of late acne ). Childhood acne is completely natural and perfectly normal as long as it remains mild or moderate. It is when it progresses to a more serious form of acne that it requires specific treatment. So-called "severe" acne affects all ages and all sexes. This skin problem results from several factors and its stigmata affect both the physical and the mental. A severe attack is manifested by an extent of inflammatory or cystic pimples leaving visible scars on the skin. In general, this type of dermatological problem is located on the face, neck, back, shoulders, and chest or torso.

The severity of severe acne is assessed based on the type of lesions, their extent on the skin, and their reaction to treatments for pimples, scars, and blackheads. It can be classified into 5 grades:

• the first grade is still very light, without lesion, but with a few scattered papules;
• the second grade is easily identifiable with a few comedones and papulo-pustules on less than half of the face;
• the third grade is characterized by a considerable extent of papulo-pustules and comedones on half of the face (it is then a moderate acne );
• from the fourth grade, acne is said to be severe since the entire face is covered with papulo-pustules, comedones (open or closed) and a few nodules;
• the fifth grade results in a very severe acne attack, with inflammatory lesions covering the entire face and a large number of nodules.

What are the causes of severe acne on black skin?

Even today, the origin of severe acne remains vague. Indeed, few scientists delve into the subject. Especially since a severe crisis evolves over time: it is therefore quite difficult to detect the precise causes. The only proven fact is the preponderant role of genes in the outbreak of acne. In addition, an unfavorable external environment also increases the risk of adult acne breakouts having already had skin problems before. Quality of life can also affect the appearance of pimples and lesions: pollution, smoking, alcohol abuse, too intense a pace of life, consumption of inappropriate medication, etc. Consult a doctor or dermatologist to help identify the causes of your acne condition .

Who is affected by severe acne?

Severe acne can affect anyone: there is no "typical profile" of patients suffering from serious skin problems. Acne treatments can concern teenagers as well as adults, women as well as men: age or sex do not influence the severity of acne. Men, however, may be more susceptible to blackheads, whiteheads , and comedones because of their thicker skin than women. But as stated earlier, a family history of severe acne is the most common cause. Depending on your skin type (oily, dry or combination), you will be more or less prone to acne.

What to do in case of chronic acne?

When acne becomes persistent, it progresses to a more serious form. A severe attack can lead to significant depression. To preserve your personal well-being , seek professional help. Consult a dermatologist or your general practitioner without delay so that he can review your lifestyle and prescribe an adequate anti-acne treatment . A local treatment against severe acne is often done by course of antibiotics to prevent the proliferation of bacteria and reduce inflammatory acne. Women must be particularly careful, since there may be a risk between taking medication and taking contraception.

However, if the acne is unmanageable (5th grade), only a dermatologist can prescribe isotretinoin treatment . It is taken monthly for a woman and fortnightly for a man. The treatment is spread over a period of approximately 8 months depending on the age of the person concerned and the degree of severity of the lesions. During the cure, the woman is put under contraception to avoid damaging a possible fetus and the biological parameters of the man are constantly monitored. A severe attack can affect the patient psychologically, which is why regular monitoring is essential. Some cases even involve the intervention of a psychiatrist to follow up psychologically with the patient. Indeed, these drugs impact your hormone levels and some patients may experience depressive symptoms.

The physical scars left by an anti-acne solution take time to fade. It takes about 18 months to see them become reddened, then attenuate. Severe acne scars can also fade with time and the right skincare products. It is possible to resort to other solutions once the root of the acne is extinguished, that is to say one year after the treatment. You have two options:

• Deep peeling : the sessions are to be carried out by a competent dermatologist to avoid aggravating the situation.
• The sectioned laser : always to be carried out by an expert to make the scars less unsightly. Remember that the laser only stimulates the dermis to activate the healing process, it does not act as a miracle gum.

How to prevent severe forms of acne?

Severe acne: the bad gestures to banish (-)

To prevent acne from evolving into a severe form, the best preventive action is to apply a skin treatment as soon as the first symptoms appear on the face or body. Among the gestures to ban, we find:

• consuming tobacco which stimulates excess sebum secretion;
• follow a treatment without a prescription from a dermatologist;
• touching and scratching itchy pimples;
• exfoliate drastically in hopes of clearing up severe acne.

Severe acne: the right things to do (+)

Don't wait until you reach grade 4 to consult a dermatologist! An acne treatment will be more effective if you take it as soon as possible. The sebaceous glands need time to regain a good balance and function normally. You have to :

• avoid consuming products that stimulate the overproduction of sebum;
• consult a dermatologist face-to-face for an initial consultation;
• moisturize the skin with thermal water (by spraying) to reduce irritation;
• opt for cosmetic products and mild soaps (alcohol-free, oil-free, non-comedogenic) for acne-prone black skin.

How to treat severe acne?

Taking isotretinoin

In the case of nodular acne, acne conglobata, fulminant acne, or inflammatory acne that has resisted traditional treatments, the most appropriate solution remains taking isotretinoin (Roaccutane®, Curacne®Gé, Curacne®) . The drug is taken over approximately 4 to 6 months, with doses depending on the patient's age, forms of acne, extent of lesions, etc. The National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products ( ANSM ) advises to carry out 2 consultations before any initiation of treatment (an information consultation and a prescription consultation). Again, all patients should be accompanied by a health professional to measure the progress of your hormones .

Benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is a keratolytic and an oxidizing agent which has an antibacterial action on Propionibacterium acnes (a bacterium implicated in severe acne, which notably obstructs the sebaceous gland). However, the skin can get used to benzoyl peroxide, which requires adopting the strategy of applying little, but often. You therefore have less risk of unnecessarily attacking your skin, and you prevent it from becoming dependent on benzoyl peroxide. One application per day (sparingly) is normally enough to improve the appearance of pimples.

"Natural" treatments

As severe forms of acne are associated with a skin disease, the sebaceous glands generally need anti-inflammatory acne treatment against pimples, whiteheads and comedones. Although they may not be effective in the long term if used alone, using natural acne scar treatments will not harm your skin. You just have to be careful not to use fatty substances. For example, clay has mattifying properties: it absorbs seborrhoea and reduces shine. It will not treat the source of severe acne, but can help mattify and smooth the skin applied as a mask.

Nubiance anti-blemish solutions

For your beauty routine and severe anti-acne care, be sure to choose the right products. Nubiance offers a wide range of treatments suitable for black, matte and mixed skin (acne or not) . Take advantage of our intense Act-5 treatment to reduce the after-effects of a severe acne attack and regain smooth, radiant skin and an even complexion! Depending on your skin type and the forms of acne you suffer from, using our products will restore your self-confidence.