Acne isn’t a skin problem that only teens experience. It is a skin disease that can affect anyone. Because acne is so common, many believe the myth that the approach is to let it ride its course. But many treatment options exist, and acne that’s left untreated can lead to permanent scars.
What is acne?
Small holes called pores exist in the skin. These pores connect to oil glands under the skin through canals called follicles. The glands (called sebaceous glands) make an oily substance called sebum. Inside the follicles the oil carries dead skin cells to the skin’s surface. A thin hair also grows from the follicle to the skin’s surface. When the hair, sebum and skin cells clump together it creates an environment for bacteria to form and a pimple grows. Acne usually appears on the face, neck, back and shoulders.
What are the different types of acne?
Knowing what type of acne you have can help determine the best treatment plan.
- Whiteheads: Pimples that stay under the skin’s surface and have raised white bumps.
- Blackheads: Open blemishes that appear as black dots because debris inside the follicles become oxidized and turn black.
- Papules: Small, pink bumps inflamed bumps caused by bacteria, sebum and dead skin cells under the skin.
- Pustules: Inflamed bumps containing pus, often appearing as larger whiteheads.
- Nodules: Large, painful solid pimples.
- Cysts: Deep, painful pus-filled pimples. Nodules and cysts indicate a more severe type of acne that may require more advanced treatment.
