Acne - Spectrum of Pimples

Acne is the medical word used to describe anything from the occasional blemish through the entire spectrum of pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, nodules and large cysts. Acne is a skin condition that occurs when excess oil (sebum) production combined with dead skin cells clog your pores. Then, bacteria forms in the clogged pores resulting in red inflamed pimples, pus filled whiteheads, or blackheads. 

Acne is extremely common. So common that it's considered a normal part of growing up. If you're a teenager or a young adult, then chances are that you had or have some form of acne.

Over 17 million Americans suffer from acne and the vast majority of them are between 12 and 24 years old. A human body contains many sebaceous glands underneath the skin. These glands secrete and oil type of substance and sometimes this oil thickens and clogs your pores. These plugs cause your pores to get plugged and inflamed. This inflammation leads to infection from bacteria. If these pores get too infectious it can lead to serious scarring. There are different kinds of acne infections. The comedo is a lesion that forms on the skin due to infection. If it is a closed comedo it will be considered a whitehead if it is a closed comedo it will be a blackhead. Papules are a different kind of comedo, they do not get red or swollen, instead they give the skin the appearance of being rough, like sandpaper. And last but not least a pustule is a lesion that is filled with pus. These often lead to cysts or nodules and these leave the most significant scars.