Acne Information >> Types of Acne
Acne is a common skin condition that can appear with varying degrees of severity in people of all ages. It affects about 80 in 100 people aged 11-30 at some time. Acne most often affects young men and women between the ages of 12 and 25, although some sufferers can experience the condition into their 30s, 40s, and even through and past their 50s. Acne can appear on the face, back, neck, chest and arms.
The most common form of acne is acne vulgaris. This form of acne is what people refer to when they talk about acne, and it’s what we mean when we mention acne elsewhere on this site. Acne vulgaris is usually characterized as either “mild to moderate” or “severe.”
The skin problems associated with acne vulgaris are common, and you may notice these kinds of blemishes on your skin even if you haven’t been diagnosed with acne or do not experience them regularly. The blemishes associated with mild to moderate acne are:
Whiteheads appear when a pore is completely blocked and dead skin cells, bacteria, and oil (or sebum) are trapped beneath the surface. This causes a white appearance on the skin’s surface—hence the name whiteheads.
Like whiteheads, blackheads form when dead skin cells, bacteria, and oil (sebum) are trapped beneath the skin’s surface. Unlike a whitehead, however, a blackhead’s pore is not completely blocked, and some of the trapped material makes its way to the skin’s surface. There, the skin’s pigment (melanin) interacts with the oxygen in the air, causing the black appearance.
Pustules are similar to whiteheads, but the pore has become inflamed. A red circle with a white or yellow center appears on the skin’s surface. Pustules are often referred to as “zits,” and many people are tempted to pop or pick them.
Similar to a pustule, a papule is inflamed, red, and tender, but there is no head. Do not attempt to pop papules, as scarring may be more severe than with other types of mild to moderate acne.
For acne to be characterized as severe, the following additional types of spots must be present:
Nodules are large, hard bumps under the skin’s surface. These nodules can be very painful, and they may last for months. Nodules are much larger than the papules described above, and should under no circumstances be squeezed.
A cyst is much like a nodule, but it is pus-filled. Although similar to pustules, described above, cysts are much larger (up to 5mm in diameter), and can be extremely painful.
Sometimes confused with acne vulgaris, acne rosacea typically appears as a red rash over the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. Bumps, pimples and other skin blemishes may accompany the redness, and can cause confusion between this condition and acne.
The most severe form of acne vulgaris, acne conglobata appears as numerous large lesions, which may be connected. Extensive blackheads appear as well. This condition can cause irreparable damage to the skin, and typically requires aggressive treatment with isotretinoin (Accutane).
When acne conglobata appears suddenly and is accompanied by fever and aching joints, it is known as acne fulminans. This type of severe acne does not respond well to antibiotics; isotretinoin (Accutane) and oral steroids are usually prescribed to treat it.
Pustules and cysts characterize this rare bacterial infection, which may be caused by complications from long-term treatment of acne vulgaris with antibiotics.
This severe form of facial acne, which includes large, painful nodules and pustules, affects only women, usually between the ages of 20 and 40. It starts suddenly, and can affect even those who’ve never had acne before. It usually lasts no more than a year, but it can cause lasting damage.