The Best Acne Information
Acne Help
Though
all pimples, or zits, form the same way, they often take on different
shapes and features, and react differently on different
people.
Acne starts when a hair follicle becomes clogged and what is called a
comedo is formed. As the follicle becomes clogged with more
oil,
the comedo becomes larger, inflaming the skin around the area and
forming what we commonly call a pimple, or zit. There are
several
types of acne, each requiring differing forms of treatment.
We
will cover some of those types here, explaining them and giving various
treatment suggestions.
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 whiteish bump.
An open comedo, or blackhead, occurs when the plug enlarges and pushes through the surface of the skin. Its dark appearance is not due to dirt, but rather to a build up of the dark pigment of the skin called melanin. Blackheads in their most extreme form are also a type of inflammatory acne.
The mildest form of inflammatory acne 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, 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 cystic acne 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 recessed scars.
Acne conglobata is a rare form of inflammatory acne, forming primarily on the back, buttocks, and chest. It is characterized by pustules and nodules, and severe bacterial infection may follow.
Acne cosmetica is a relatively mild form of acne caused by topical cosmetic products. It is characterised by small pink bumps, and local inflammation on the cheek, chin, and forehead. It may develop over the course of a few weeks or months, but usually will not cause scarring.
Since it can persist indefinitely, it is important to find out which products are causing the problem and stop their use. This can be a lengthy process, involving trial and error, so patience is essential.
It is important to understand what is causing your acne so a suitable treatment can be found. Before you can solve the problem, you must know its origin.
Chris Haycock
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 whiteish bump.
An open comedo, or blackhead, occurs when the plug enlarges and pushes through the surface of the skin. Its dark appearance is not due to dirt, but rather to a build up of the dark pigment of the skin called melanin. Blackheads in their most extreme form are also a type of inflammatory acne.
The mildest form of inflammatory acne 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, 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 cystic acne 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 recessed scars.
Acne conglobata is a rare form of inflammatory acne, forming primarily on the back, buttocks, and chest. It is characterized by pustules and nodules, and severe bacterial infection may follow.
Acne cosmetica is a relatively mild form of acne caused by topical cosmetic products. It is characterised by small pink bumps, and local inflammation on the cheek, chin, and forehead. It may develop over the course of a few weeks or months, but usually will not cause scarring.
Since it can persist indefinitely, it is important to find out which products are causing the problem and stop their use. This can be a lengthy process, involving trial and error, so patience is essential.
It is important to understand what is causing your acne so a suitable treatment can be found. Before you can solve the problem, you must know its origin.
Chris Haycock
