Acne Description

Acne is a visible infection at or near the surface of the skin that is the end result of hormonal, bacterial and inflammatory disturbances of the sebaceous (oil) gland and hair follicle.  The face, chest, back and upper arms are especially susceptible to the infection.

The most common type of acne is called acne vulgaris. It is a condition that affects primarily adolescents but may persist or become even more severe in adulthood.  Acne vulgaris occurs most often on the face, chest, and back. Several types of acne lesion can occur, often at the same time.  They are:

Non-inflammatory lesions:

• Open comedones (blackheads)

• Closed comedones (whiteheads)

• Uninflamed nodules (sometimes called cysts)

Inflammatory lesions:

• Papules (small red bumps)

• Pustules (white or yellow ‘squeezable’ spots)

• Inflamed nodules (large red lumps)

Secondary lesions:

• Excoriations and scabs (picked or scratched spots)

• Erythematous macules (red marks from healed acne, mostly in fair skin)

• Pigmented macules (dark marks from healed acne, mostly in dark skin)

• Scars

Acne Pictures

Acne Illustrations