What is the Difference Between Folliculitus and Acne?

Folliculitis is inflammation of the hair follicle. It’s often triggered by yeast, fungi, viruses, or infection already present on the skin. What typically causes it to flare up are things such as over shaving, razor burn, and bacteria floating around in places like hot tubs. These situations can cause staph infection and inflammation of ingrown hairs. At first, it may look like tiny red or white pimples around the hair follicle. But as the the infection spreads, it can then turn into nonhealing, crusty sores.

While Folliculitis is typically not life-threatening, it can be extremely itchy and cause soreness. More severe cases can cause permanent hair loss and scarring.

The best way to get rid of Folliculitis is prevention; just make sure to change quickly out of sweaty clothes, wipe down with toner after working out, and use a BPO cleanser on affected areas.
To distinguish the differences between Folliculitis and Acne, we will start with the fact that Folliculitis can occur anywhere there is a hair follicle, whereas acne only exists on the face, chest, shoulders, and back. They can appear very similar to each other in that they both usually look like little white or red pimples. It’s important to remember that acne is inflamed or infected sebaceous glands in the skin while Folliculitis is caused by infection in the hair follicle.

But perhaps the biggest difference of all is that, while Folliculitis is caused by an external threat on the skin (ie yeast, fungus, bacteria, virus), acne is a hereditary condition that affects 85% of people at some point in their lives. It is caused by a gene inside the body that causes the skin to overproduce sebum and skin cells, causing the pores to become clogged and possibly inflamed.
Many things can worsen acne such as diet, an ineffective skincare routine, swimming in chlorine or seawater, lack of sleep, too much stress, and working out without cleansing or toning immediately afterward. Just to name a few.

When it comes to Acne and Folliculitis, there is a distinction in the white lesions caused by Folliculitis, which are filled with bacterial infection. Whereas white acne lesions are filled with sebum. They each have their own causes and their own effects on the skin. Folliculitis can turn into a rash that spreads on the body. Acne is not as prone to doing that.

Folliculitis is caused by bacteria, often staph infection that creates inflammation in the hair follicle. Acne is caused by glands overproducing sebum and skin cells, causing dead skin to “pile up” inside the pore, clogging it, and creating a blackhead or whitehead.

While Acne and Folliculitis have their own separate causes, the best way to go about preventing them or helping get them clear is to have a dedicated skincare routine and a dedicated skincare professional. (acnetreatmentskincareslc.com)

If you have any questions about your skin and whether or not what you have Folliculitis or Acne, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 801-800-6602.