Acne Classification

Though all pimples start the same way, they can take many forms and may react differently for different people. All acne begin with one basic lesion :

The comedones, an enlarged hair follicle plugged with oil and bacteria. Invisible to the naked eyes, the comedones stay beneath the surface of your skin to condition to grow into an inflamed lesion. As the skin continues to produce more oil, bacteria flourishes within the swollen pores. The surrounding skin becoming more inflamed as the white blood cells fight against the intruders that is “bacteria”

Non-inflammatory Acne or Known to be Pimples

Closed comedones or Whiteheads - If the plugged follicle stay below the skin, the lesion is called a closed pores or whiteheads. They usually appear small and whitish bumps. It is not easily removed and treated as acne products may not be absorbed or penetrate in.

Open Comedone or blackheads - If the plugged enlarges and pushes through the surface of the skin , it’s called an open comedones or blackheads. The plug is dark appearance is not due to dirt but rather to a buildup of melanin, the skin’s dead cell moved into the pores. It is sometimes feel protruding as the blackheads surfacing out to the skin and sometimes may easily removed.

Papules – The mildest form of inflammation acne is the papules, which appears on the skin as a small, firm pink bump. These can be tender to the touch, and are often considered an intermediary step between non-inflammatory and clear lesions.

Pustules - Like papules, pustules are small round lesions; unlike papules, they are clearly inflamed and contain visible pus. They may appear red at the base, with a yellowish or whitish center. Pustules do not commonly contain a great deal of bacteria; the inflammation and painful is generally caused by chemical irritation from sebum components such as fatty free acids.

Inflammation Acne

Nodule or Cyst - Large and usually very painful, nodules are inflamed, pus-filled lesions lodged deep within the skin. Nodules develop when the contents of a comedones have spilled into the surrounding skin and the local immune system responds, producing pus. The most severe form of acne lesion, nodules may persist for weeks or months, their contents hardening into a deep cyst. Both nodules and cysts often leave deep scars.

Acne Conglobata - This rare but serious form of inflammatory acne develops primarily on the back, buttocks and chest. In addition to the presence of pustules and nodules, there may be severe bacterial infection.

Will be sharing on the next about scarring.. check out…