Acne is scar removal acne scar removal the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads) , pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) that occur on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms , acne scar removal , scar removalAcne Acne affects most teenagers to some extent , acne scar removal , scar removalHowever, scar removal the disease is not restricted restricted to any age group; adults in their 20s - even into their 40s - can get acne , acne scar removal , scar removalWhile not a life life threatening condition, acne can be upsetting and disfiguring , acne scar removal , scar removalWhen severe, acne can lead to serious and permanent scarring , acne scar removal , scar removalEven less severe cases can lead to scarring , acne scar removal , scar removalscar removal acne scar removal removal acne scar removal

Types of Acne

When you you read about acne or other skin diseases, you encounter words or phrases scar removal that may be confusing , acne scar removal , scar removalFor example, the words used to describe the lesions of acne—comedo, papule, pustule, nodule and cyst—are understandable understandable only if you know each word’s word’s definition , acne scar removal , scar removalIt also is helpful to have a photo scar removal acne scar removal that is characteristic for each type of lesion , acne scar removal , scar removal

Here is a brief summary of definitions of words words used to describe acne, with accompanying photos , acne scar removal , scar removalLet’s begin, though, with scar removal the definition of lesion, an all-purpose word: word: acne scar removal

Lesion—a physical change in body tissue caused by disease or injury , acne scar removal , scar removalA lesion may may be external (e.g., acne, skin cancer, psoriatic plaque, knife cut) scar removal , or internal (e.g., lung cancer, atherosclerosis in a blood vessel, cirrhosis of the liver) , acne scar removal , scar removal

Thus, when you read about about acne acne lesions you understand what is meant—a physical change in scar removal acne scar removal the skin caused by a disease process in the sebaceous follicle , acne scar removal , scar removal

Acne lesions range in severity from comedones (blackheads and whiteheads) to nodules nodules and cysts , acne scar removal , scar removalHere is a brief definition of acne lesions: scar removal removal acne scar removal

Comedo (plural comedones) —A comedo is a sebaceous follicle plugged with sebum, dead cells from inside the sebaceous follicle, tiny hairs, and and sometimes bacteria , acne scar removal , scar removalWhen a comedo is open, it is commonly called a blackhead because scar removal the surface of the plug in the follicle has a a blackish appearance , acne scar removal , scar removalA closed comedo is commonly called a a whitehead; its appearance is scar removal acne scar removal that of a skin-colored or slightly inflamed bump in the skin , acne scar removal , scar removalThe whitehead differs in color from the blackhead because the opening of the plugged sebaceous follicle to the scar removal the skin’s surface surface is closed or very narrow, in contrast to acne scar removal the distended follicular opening of the blackhead , acne scar removal , scar removalNeither blackheads nor whiteheads should be squeezed or picked open, unless extracted by a dermatologist under under sterile conditions , acne scar removal , scar removalTissue injured by squeezing or picking can become infected by staphylococci, streptococci and other skin bacteria , acne scar removal , scar removalbacteria , acne scar removal , scar removalscar removal acne scar removal The following photos are characteristic of acne with comedones:

(Photos used with permission of of scar removal the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides and the Sulzberger Institute for Dermatologic Education)

Papule—A papule is defined as a small (5 millimeters or less) less) acne scar removal , solid lesion lesion slightly elevated above scar removal the surface of the skin , acne scar removal , scar removalA group of very small papules and microcomedones may be almost invisible but have a sandpaper feel to the touch , acne scar removal , scar removalA papule is caused by by localized cellular reaction to scar removal the process of acne , acne scar removal , scar removalacne , acne scar removal , scar removalacne scar removal This photo shows papules and comedones on the face of an acne patient:

(Photos used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides and scar removal the Sulzberger Institute for Dermatologic Education)

Pustule—A dome-shaped, fragile lesion containing pus that typically consists consists of a mixture of white blood cells, dead skin cells, and and bacteria , acne scar removal , scar removalA pustule scar removal acne scar removal that forms over a sebaceous follicle usually has a hair in the center , acne scar removal , scar removalAcne pustules that heal without progressing to cystic form usually leave no scars , acne scar removal , scar removalThis photo shows pustules, pustules, papules and and comedones on scar removal acne scar removal the face of an acne patient:

(Photos used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides and the Sulzberger Institute for Dermatologic Dermatologic Education) scar removal

Macule—A macule is the temporary red spot left by a healed acne