Understanding Different Acne

There are several types of acne, each requiring different methods of treatment.

Though all pimples may form beneath skin’s surface, they often take on different shapes and characteristics when they reach the outer layer of your skin. They also react differently to different treatments on different people.

Acne is formed when a hair follicle becomes clogged and a comedo is formed. As the follicle becomes further clogged with more oil, the comedo becomes larger, inflaming the skin around the area and forming those horrid pimples!

Non-inflammatory acne often takes the form of a closed comedo, or whitehead. This occurs when the plugged hair follicle stays beneath the surface of the skin, and appears on the skin as a small white bump.

An open comedo, lovingly known as blackheads, occur when the plug enlarges and pushes through to the surface of the skin. The dark look of these is not due to dirt, but rather to a build up of the dark pigment of the skin called melanin. Blackheads are also considered an inflammatory acne even though they are generally flat on one’s face.

The mildest form of inflammatory [tag]acne[/tag] is a papule, a small, firm, pink bump appearing on the surface of the skin. These bumps can be tender to the touch, and are often considered an intermediary step between non-inflammatory and inflammatory acne.

Pustules are like papules in that they are small and round lesions. Unlike papules, pustules are clearly inflamed and visibly contain pus. They may appear red at the base with a yellowish or whiteish center. Pustules do not generally contain a great deal of bacteria, but are inflamed due to chemical irritation from sebum components.

Nodular or [tag]cystic acne[/tag] is usually very painful. Nodules are inflamed pus-filled lesions lodged deep within the skin. They develop when the contents of a comedo has spilled into the surrounding skin and immune system responds, producing pus. The most severe form of this type of acne may persist for weeks or even months, eventually hardening into a cyst. Both nodules and cysts often leave deep [tag]acne scars[/tag].

Acne conglobata, a rare form of inflammatory acne, forms primarily on the back, buttocks, and chest. It is characterized by pustules and nodules, and severe bacterial infection may ensue.

Acne cosmetica is a relatively mild form of acne caused from topical cosmetic products. Characterized by small pink bumps, and local inflammation on the cheek, chin, and forehead. This might develop, but thankfully this is one acne that doesn’t cause scarring. However, since it can persist indefinitely, it is important to find out and discontinue use of the products causing all the trouble!

It is important to understand what is causing your trouble so a suitable [tag]acne treatment[/tag] can be found. Before you can solve the problem, you must know its origin.