Types of Acne

Did you know there are six different types?

That's right, <B>six different types of acne and Acne Vulgaris</B> or common acne includes several types of lesions, usually called blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules and cysts.

Mild to moderate acne vulgaris is characterized by:

• Blackheads, which are a common type of acne caused by partially blocked pores.  The black appearance is caused by melanin pigment from dead skin cells. Blackheads tend to be stable structures, and often take a long time to clear.
• Whiteheads, which are caused by completely blocked pores. The white appearance is caused by the bacteria inside turning the sebum into free fatty acid. The whitehead differs in color from the blackhead because the opening of the plugged sebaceous follicle to the skin’s surface is closed or very narrow, in contrast to the distended follicular opening of the blackhead. As the bacteria turns the sebum into free fatty acids the whiteheads commonly grow in size and can be painful.

  
  Don'ts when treating these six types of acne:

  
  Neither blackheads nor whiteheads should be squeezed or picked open, unless extracted by a dermatologist under sterile conditions. Tissue injured by squeezing or picking can become infected by staphylococci, streptococci and other skin bacteria. Picking can also produce scars from damaging the skin.

• Papules, are small, red, tender bumps or spots. A group of very small papules and microcomedones may be almost invisible but have a "sandpaper" feel to the touch. A papule is caused by localized cellular reaction to the process of acne.
• Pustules, are a larger type of acne characterized by red and inflamed-pus filled spots. 

  
  On the other hand, severe acne vulgaris is characterized by:

• Nodules, which are large and hard bumps under the skin’s surface.  Unlike a papule, a nodule is characterized by inflammation, extends into deeper layers of the skin and may cause tissue destruction that results in scarring. A nodule may be very painful.
• Cysts are similar to nodules but can be severely inflamed and infected.
• Acne Rosacea is a variant that typically causes a red nose and is more common in older people than in young people, mostly affecting those who are aged 30 and above.  It commonly appears as red rash, which are normally confined, to the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. The redness is often accompanied by bumps and pimples. Blood vessels may also become more visible on the skin. People with this kind of acne rarely have pimples.  These flashes can be triggered by certain foods like spicy foods and alcohol.

  That about sums up the six types of acne. Make sure you take a look at the natural acne cure page. You are going to be pleasantly surprised.

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