The Different Types of Acne

by Danna Finnerand

Acne forms when hair follicles and pores become clogged and produce sores on the surface of the skin. These blemishes can take many forms, including pimples, abscesses, blackheads, cysts, and in some people even permanent scarring.

Acne most often appears during the adolescent period that is known as puberty. This is when the human body begins to experience big variations in hormone production as a consequence of the devoloping an adult, grown-up body. Acne can affect both genders of all ages; sometimes throughout their complete adult lives.

Pimples inflammation is the most apparent symptom in regard to skin appearance. Inflammatory acne can mainly be seen on the face, but there are other spots on the body that can be affected, like the scalp, upper arms, chest, neck, back, shoulders, and legs. The most prevalent form of acne is the pimple. A pimple forms when a pore or hair follicle becomes irritated and the skin surface is then marked with small red sores. Before the blemish is fully formed there are symptoms that can be seen. These symptoms include closed comedos, open comedos, cysts, and pustules. Blackheads are clogged pores that have a darker color with an opening at the surface of the skin. Whiteheads are slightly different in that they don't have an open ended pore. They will commonly turn into pustules if left alone for a couple of days. If the zits are popped or squeezed, they will usually develope a more serious infection and could end up in a scar. So leaving pimples alone is a good idea.

Inflammatory and non-inflammatory are the main types of acne. The non-inflammatory type is divided into two lesser categories: closed and open comedos. A closed comedo is also called a whitehead and appears on the skin as a small white or yellow lesion. The open comedo is usually called a blackhead.

Pustules are pus filled, discolored sores, and have a whitish or yellowish color. They can form from whiteheads or blackheads. They are round lesions that have become inflamed because of damaged sebaceous glands. The body has many sebaceous glands that produce sebum, an oil-like chemical. When sebum is in contact with the skin for a long time, the hair follicles and pores become irritated and infected. Cysts are larger sores filled with pus that can be seen on the surface but are in reality in the lower layers of the epidermis.

Whatever types of zits or scars there are, there is a good treatment that is available. Understanding about the different types of acne will give the acne sufferer a better chance to find the best treatment product for a particular condition. Remember, you don't have to live all your life with an acne problem. With a bit of research and time, anybody can find the proper treatment for their particular problems.

Recuperate and maintain a flawless look for your skin applying our natural acne and acne scars treatment, designed to nourish your skin while at the same time eliminates all kinds of imperfections and scars.

Published July 1st, 2008

Filed in Beauty, Health