What is Acne?
Acne is a very common skin condition affecting more than 90% of all teenagers, nearly 50% of all adult women and 25% of all adults. Both males and females of all nationalities are affected by acne, making it one of the most widespread medical conditions in the world, yet there's still no cure.
From the moment we are born, our skin begins a lifelong process of shedding dead cells and producing oil. This shedding process is affected by our hormone balance, which fluctuates throughout our life. Clogged pores and pimples (i.e. acne) arise when these natural processes are disrupted by a range of factors.
All acne begins with one basic lesion: the Comedo, an enlarged hair follicle plugged with oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. Invisible to the naked eye, the Comedo lurks beneath the surface of your skin waiting for the right conditions to grow into an inflamed lesion.
As the skin produces more oil, bacteria flourish within the swollen follicle. The surrounding skin becomes increasingly inflamed as white blood cells fight against the intruding bacteria. The result is a pimple.
Types of Acne
Though all pimples start the same way, they can take many forms and may react differently for different people.
Please note that the following guide is not intended to be used for conclusive self-diagnosis or as a substitute for medical advice.
Non-Inflammatory
Closed Comedo or Whitehead
If the plugged follicle stays below the surface of the skin, the lesion (pimple) is called a Closed Comedo, or Whitehead.
Closed Comedos usually appear on the skin as small, whitish bumps.
Open Comedo or Blackhead
If the plug in the pore enlarges and pushes through the surface of the skin, it is called an Open Comedo, or Blackhead.
The plug's dark appearance is not due to dirt, but to a build-up of melanin, the skin's dark pigment.
Inflammatory
Papule
The mildest form of inflammatory acne is the Papule, which appears as a small, firm pink bump.
Papules can be tender to the touch, and are often considered an intermediary step between
non-inflammatory and clearly inflammatory lesions (pimples).
Pustule
Like Papules, Pustules are small round lesions (pimples). Unlike Papules however, they are clearly inflamed and contain visible pus. They may appear red at the base, with a yellowish or whitish centre.
Pustules do not usually contain a lot of bacteria; the inflammation is often caused by chemical irritation from sebum components like fatty free acids.
Nodule or Cyst
Large and usually very painful, Nodules are inflamed, pus-filled lesions (pimples) lodged deep beneath the skin’s surface.
Nodules develop when the contents of a Comedo have spilled into the surrounding skin and the local immune system responds, producing pus.
Nodules are the most severe form of acne lesion (pimple) and can linger for weeks or months, their contents hardening into a deep Cyst.
Both Nodules and Cysts often leave deep scars.
Acne Conglobata
This rare but serious form of inflammatory acne typically develops on the back, buttocks and chest.
In addition to the presence of Pustules and Nodules, there may be severe bacterial infection.
Read on for what is not acne