Occurring in most people from the age of twelve to forty-five, acne is an abnormal skin condition that is manifested through acne lesions that sprout on your face, shoulders, chest and back. These lesions are more commonly known as pimples, whiteheads and blackheads. The severity varies from age to age and from person to person. The causes of acne are attributed to many factors. Stress, nutrition, hormonal changes, drugs, allergies and overactive oil glands are common causes of acne lesions.
Acne lesions result from changes in the processes of the sebaceous follicles, which form part of the human skin. These are essentially hair follicles attached to the sebaceous glands which produce sebum, an oily substance found in the face, back, chest, neck and shoulders. Acne lesions could be in the form of whiteheads and blackheads, also known as comedones. They may include pustules, macules and papules. Acne lesions could also be nodular or cystic, a severe form of acne which can be more discomforting and leave more visible and severe scars.Below are some types of acne and their characteristics.
Whiteheads are comedones that occur when bacteria and sebum are trapped below the surface of the skin.
Blackheads are comedones that occur when trapped bacteria and sebum arise to the follicle surface. The black or dark color is caused by the skin’s pigment, melanin.
Pustules are dome-shaped acne lesions that contain pus. Pus is a mixture of dead skin and white blood cells plus bacteria. The pustule heals with no visible scars, provided it does not graduate onto a cyst.
Papules are solid and small acne lesions that arise above the skin’s surface. While papules are not readily visible, a group of them clumped together on the surface of the skin gives that sandpaper-y feel to the skin.
Macules are the reddish spots left after acne lesions are healed. The redness will disappear after a few days or weeks. An entire area of the skin may look reddish and inflamed, when a group of macules is present.
Nodules are acne lesions that, like papules, are also solid and dome-shaped. Unlike papules, however, nodules are inflamed and are nested deep into the skin’s layers. A nodule may destroy tissue and leave deep scars. They are also quite painful.
Cysts are like pustules but are larger. They are sac-like acne lesions that contain pus. They may be inflamed and very painful. Similar to nodules, cysts go deep into the tissue and may leave sever scars after treatment.