Find out how what acne is and how you can beat it

What Is Acne?: Understanding The Different Types Of Acne

Eventhough all acnes form in a similar manner, they more often than not, take on different shapes and characteristics. It also affects different people in a different manner. The way that  acne is formed when a hair follicle becomes clogged and what is called a comedo is formed.  When the follicle becomes clogged with more oil, the comedo becomes larger, inflaming the skin around the area and forming what we know of as a pimple. There are many types of acne and each and everyone of the acnes requires different kind of treatment. 

What Is Acne & It Forms

The more common ones are called non-inflammatory acne.  It often takes the form of a closed comedo, otherwise known as whitehead. It happens when a plugged hair follicle  stays beneath the surface of the skin, and appears on the skin as a small whiteish bump and it can sometimes (more often than not) be painful.

Another form of comedo is the blackhead. It occurs when the plug enlarges and pushes through the surface of the skin.  People often thinks that the dark colour is associated with dirt but in truth its dark appearance is not due to dirt, but rather to a build up of the dark pigment of the skin called melanin.  Blackheads are also a type of inflammatory acne.

Papule, a small, firm, pink bump appearing on the skin surface. It forms bumps and often the first sign of acne formation. These bumps can be tender to the touch, and are often considered an intermediary step between non-inflammatory and inflammatory acne. 

You can mistake pustule with papule because of their similar appearnces. However, 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. 

A more serious form of acne is the nodular or otherwise known as cystic acne, is usually very painful.  Nodules are inflamed pus-filled lesions lodged deep within the skin.  When the content of comedo spilled into the surrounding skin, it infects it and force the immune system to be triggered, hence producingpus in the process. 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 scars. 

If you are suffering from back acne, the most likely cause of it is the ccne conglobata, a rare form of inflammatory acne, forms primarily on the back, buttocks, and chest.  It is characterized by pustules and nodules, and severe bacterial infection may ensue.

Did you know that acne cosmetica is caused by topical cosmetic product?.  It is characterized by small pink bumps, and local inflammation on the cheek, chin, and forehead.  You may breathe a sigh of relief to know that this acne is not serious and does not cause any permanent scarring.  Since it can persist indefinitely, it is important to find out which topical products are causing the problem and eliminate their use. 

It is important to understand what is acne and what is causing your acne so a suitable treatment can be found. Learn to separate the myth and the truth in the next section: Myth About Acne