No matter who you are their is a good chance you have run into our friend acne at some point, and trust me you are not alone. Acne, a condition that is activated by overstimulation of the sebaceous glands, affects 95% of boys and 83% of girls at some point in their lives.
Acne has been an issue dating back to ancient Egypt, where they used the term "akut." They used the term to refer to boils, blains, pustules, papules, sores, and various inflamed swelling. The phonetic resemblance to the term as we know it today, led researchers to believe this is the root word of "acne." The first time recorded use of the term acne was by Fuchs in 1840 AD and has carried on to present day.
Robert Williams and Thomas Batemen, the forefathers of dermatology, first divided acne into four types in the 19th century. They are as follows- simplex, punctate, indurate, and rosacea. These types may very well have been the stepping stones into the four acne grades we know today.
Grade I Acne (mild)-
Grade I acne is a non-inflammatory condition and is the most common type found in clients. It is often referred to as congestive acne.
Presents itself as:
Blackheads
Whiteheads
Milia
Occasional lesion/pimples
Treatment:
Usually can be cured with proper home care products and a set of level I peels.
Grade II Acne (moderate)-
Grade II acne is also a non-inflammatory condition that presents itself as a more severe offspring of grade I acne.
Presents itself as:
Increased blackheads
Increased whiteheads
Observed papules and pustules
Treatment:
Usually can be lessened with proper home care products, but may require a dermatologist in more extreme cases.
Grade III Acne (moderately severe)-
Grade III acne is an inflammatory condition that often needs to be evaluated by a dermatologist, depending on severity of the case.
Presents itself as:
Numerous papules and pustules
Occasional inflamed nodules
Greater amount of redness/inflammation
Usually also presents itself on back and chest
Treatment:
It should always be evaluated by a physician prior to treatment, however a series of higher level chemical peels, combined with proper prescribed home care can help lower the severity of this condition.
Grade IV Acne (severe)-
Grade IV acne is an extreme inflammatory condition that should always be treated and evaluated by a dermatologist. It is also more commonly known as cystic acne.
Presents itself as:
Many large painful pustules, nodules, and cysts
Numerous blackheads and whiteheads
Severe inflammation and breakouts
Almost always extends beyond the face
Expands into the deeper layer of skin
Causes such a high level of inflammation that you can barely see the face
Treatment:
Due to the severity of this condition it must be treated by a dermatologist, usually using high level prescriptions.
Not sure where your acne rates? Do not worry, we are here to help! Feel free to reach out for further information and customized suggestions that are specially tailored to your condition.