ACNE

Acne is a common skin condition which affects most of the individuals during their lifetime. Acne is a condition of inflammation that is triggered by the oil glands of the face; however, it can be seen on the shoulders, back and, chest. The common terms used for acne are pimples or zits. The skin may have lesions like bumps, blackheads, whiteheads, cysts or boils as part of the acne. Often, a person with acne has one or more of these at the same time. Dermatologists usually grade the severity of acne by checking which type of lesions are most prominent.

What are the different types of acne?

The first lesion of acne is a blackhead or a comedone. This is the block of the oil gland and is usually composed of skin cells and oil and not of dirt as commonly believed. If the block of the oil gland is deeper inside the skin, one can see whiteheads. Some people have red bumps with or without a head of pus known as papules and pustules. When these appear bigger in size they are known as cysts.

Often, people with acne also develop large open pores and scars. These scars may be on the surface of the skin (appear red or darker than the normal skin) or may be elevated than the regular skin surface (hypertrophic scar) or depressed (atrophic scar). Scars symbolize long term structural damage to the skin